"Photography, as a powerful medium of expression and communications, offers an infinite variety of perception, interpretation and execution.
" - Ansel Adams The word powerful not only describes the photograph itself, but Adams' quote as well.
Photography is and should always be considered a dynamic art form, although in some circles, this very idea is subject to intense debate to this day.
External stimuli; the things we see, touch and feel act as the fuel of inspiration that once translated and intellectualized within us, converts to motivation and then action.
This is what drives artistic development and individual style.
The amount of self discipline you assert will affect the rate and extent to which you develop your artistic identity.
There is more to making great photographs than pointing an expensive camera at a random subject.
There is more to the process than technical aptitude.
The artist must exhibit great discipline and willingness to explore outside the realm of established mandate in order to develop a personal identity.
When we change the way we observe things, the things we observe begin to change.
Generally speaking, we are creatures of habit, always taking the path of least resistance, and our comfort zones have firm boundaries.
Great photographs do not begin with looking but rather seeing.
By controlling the speed of the photographic process we afford ourselves the opportunity for a more profound/impacting interaction.
The result is a heightened awareness of the world around us and of course more powerful compositions.
Where do we begin in this quest to form our individual artistic identity? It begins before we even pick up a camera.
We must take more time to think through what impact our subjects have on us and subsequently how we will communicate our individual interpretation of that subject.
Try new approaches and strive for perfect execution of the photographic process.
Embrace the idea that change is the only constant, and it can be as beneficial as it is upsetting.
"I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.
" - Pablo Picasso