Use Your Camera For Good

 

(Photo credit:  Joshua Mindemann, http://darkknight1986.deviantart.com/art/Helping-Hand-208312488)

Recently, a friend shared an article with me:  http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/25/health/brian-steel-impaired-perceptions/index.html?iphoneemail

It’s about a disabled photographer named Brian Steel who, “tired of the way people made up their minds before getting to know him,” created a series of images called “Impaired Perceptions”.  In it, he sets out to empower other people with disabilities, and change the perceptions of those around them.

You’ve probably heard of an organization called Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, through which volunteer photographers capture the first and last moments of the life of a dying infant, as a gift to the grieving parents.

And there are countless other photographers out there who, in addition to running their businesses, are also contributing their time and skills to a purpose that matters to them.  That last part really is the key – when you come upon an idea of how to help your fellow human beings that really lights you up, you’ll know you’ve found the right cause, the effort that you can be happy giving yourself to.  

If you do this, the first thing you may notice is the feeling of well-being that you get from it yourself.  Another thing you may notice is the way it helps keep your skills honed, and keep you building upon your skills and your craft.  And one other thing you may notice is that it helps to bring more paying business your way.

But again, the key to making it a beneficial situation to those you’re helping, to your business, and to your own self-worth, is that the cause be one that truly matters to you, truly moves you, and makes you want to take action.

Once you’ve decided what that is, start asking around (or googling around) for organizations that might appreciate your help.  It could light things up in a whole new way. 

For inspiration, take a look at the back page of Professional Photographer Magazine.  They have a column called Good Works, in which they profile a different photographer’s contribution to society each month.

Are you already involved in something like this?  We’d love to hear about it.

You Must Have a Really Nice Camera

 

You know, it’s possible we’ve visited this topic before.  But it seems to strike a nerve – with me, as well as with lots of other folks.  Of course, you can’t show up for a professional job with a toy camera, and you can’t provide portraits that can be printed no larger than my thumbnail.  That said, wouldn’t it be a terrific challenge to one’s creativity, and mastery of the art of photography, to set out with a ridiculously simple camera and see how good an image you’re able to get?  Not with a client, of course!  Not when someone’s paying you the big bucks!  But, as an exercise.  To help remind you of what it is in your eye, in your mind, in your heart – not in your camera – that makes a great photograph.

See here for a video of David Hobby of The Strobist, doing something similar:

http://gizmodo.com/5972475/a-pro-photographer-with-a-crappy-toy-camera-proves-hardware-doesnt-matter

You know what else seems like a good idea?  To put the camera down entirely, and create images some other way.  Any other way, even if you stink at it.  Pencil and paper, take a painting class, borrow your kids’ crayons and use the back of the electric bill.  To find out what moves you about color, about shape, about composition.  To know more about yourself as a visual artist, and then apply that knowledge purposefully when you’re back to using your camera.

So, that’s all I have to say about that.  You catch my drift.  I’m off – I think there’s a Fisher Price digital around here somewhere that I need to get my hands on.