However.. Some storms are not caused by wind, rain or any other form of natures power but by man himself. This is a storm that really scares me and not in the "bogey man in my closet" way but more with shock and bewilderment.
Its a storm that gathers momentum everywhere it goes and works fast..very fast. Driven by money and publicity..
The Storm i am talking about is The Media Storm.
I am and we as the photographers and filmmakers, are all guilty of getting caught in these storms at some point. Its not a bad thing, its just something that happens and you must learn and escape from.
Its a nasty nasty place to get stuck and i wish it on no one.
Some people who get jammed in this place might not even know they are there. They cruise around in a daze looking for more ways to make money and be publicized. There passion for art and the experience, if it was ever there, has burned out.
Before the session is even over they are thinking about how many images they can sell, how many places they can post them on the internet and how many likes they will get on Facebook.
Instead of thinking about how lucky they are to have witnessed and shared a moment like that with friends.. How much they have learned and experienced.. How fortunate they are that mother nature has provided an artists playing ground for them..
I often force myself to stop mid session when its big and just put down the camera and gazed at a set roll by.. Just to take it in.. Why am i here?? Is it to take photos and become a millionaire?? No...
I take photos because i want to capture nature and humans clashing in a moment of unique flare, I want to share my images, I want to go on adventures with my friends..
I want to live.. Not profit..
Benjamin Sanchis almost coming a bit too close to all of mother natures power..
This guy knows how to do a bottom turn thats for sure..
well said! epic shot! let just enjoy the shoot!!! and get some ourselves!
ReplyDeleteHere here
ReplyDeleteI can see it from both sides. If you're doing the same stuff day in day out, whether its formula 1 or big wave surfing or whatever, it can become a job, and you have to be able to sell to pay bills. Thankfully I don't rely on surf photography to pay bills so can enjoy as well as shoot.
ReplyDeleteBut some guys do. It's not their fault people want to see pics before the session has even finished...that's the internet age we live in.
Best thing to do, just do your own thing...don't worry about anybody else.
well said David although the image you have here is from a major sporting event and dont think its any surprise to see images from this online immediately after like any sports photography. The more personal and explration side of surfing and surf photography is quite different for sure.
ReplyDeletePersonally I do surf photography for the experiences and amazing adventures it can take me on and how it presents moments that can be captured that many people have no idea about. Like last week sitting in the water watching 12 guys scratch and paddle to try get into a few waves at aileens. Absolutely freezing with the fog spilling over the cliff tops as the sun struggled to break through. An amazing sight.
Thankfully my main bread is from aerial mapping photography as there sure aint much if any profit to be made from surf photography. If you find out let me know because its sounds like an amazing job