A personal reflection on the difference between taking pictures and being a photographer. Exploring the role of camera gear versus artistic intention, creative visualization, and the effort required to get the perfect shot. Whether you shoot with a DSLR or a Pixel phone, the true definition of photography might just be the willingness to get your knees dirty.
A question that I often ask myself and in the end I always go back to yes and no. Unless I were to ever become famous for photography or turn it into an actual business it's probably something that I will continue to go back and forth on. I think a lot of it comes down to where I live, South Korea. A lot of pressures and expectations are put on people given assigned titles and to title myself a photographer here opens up those expectations and pressure. If I were back at home in the states, I would probably use it a bit more loosely than I do here. I do sometimes tell people that I'm a teacher, but I also do photography sometimes. That's a easier way for me to talk about it with them.
I'm a weather forecaster and hiker who likes to take pictures. My mom and favorite aunt are always suggesting I should sell my pictures, but that would make photography not nearly as much fun.
... that's my usual spiel about how I would describe my relationship with photography.
How are you liking Korea?
I was there for a year in 2005. It was a blast. I remember trying to figure out why I had tried to avoid being sent there for 15 years.
I suppose I enjoy it as I approach 17 years living here in a few months. It has become more home than my actual home in the States. Things are familiar and strange all at the same time. I live outside of the cities in the countryside towns so there's a slow pace to life, which I enjoy. Last weekend I was sharing some home brewed Hungarian liquor with a Hungarian lady and her Korean husband in Seoul and photography was brought up when they asked me what I do. I went with the default teacher that sometimes does photography. Turned out to be an interesting conversation because she has a friend in Hungary who is a professional photographer and she was wondering about how to get an exhibition here and asked if I had done any. I told her that I have done some but it was all funded through the local government and culture center and she would need to be a resident so it could be difficult like that.
I can see how it would be easy to stay there for years ... and yes, country vs. city living would probably be the way to go. Especially when the trains make it so easy to get to the city if you want to.
When I was there I lived in Anjeong-ri just outside of Camp Humphreys (which was MUCH smaller then). I really enjoyed the experience.
I'm quite sure I wouldn't recognize any of it now though ... but I will try to see if anything in your pictures looks familiar as I scroll your notes feed.
But I also lived in England twice when I was younger, and that was before I took many pictures ... so I know pretty much exactly how you feel when it comes to missed photographic opportunities in the past.
I am proud to say that, yes, I am A Photographer...and I have dirt covered jacket, pants and shirt to prove it when I went fully flat on the ground so I could support the camera with the ground and my cell phone under the lens for an impromptu 2 second exposure shot two nights ago...don't tell my wife because I supposed to br driving home at that moment.
A question that I often ask myself and in the end I always go back to yes and no. Unless I were to ever become famous for photography or turn it into an actual business it's probably something that I will continue to go back and forth on. I think a lot of it comes down to where I live, South Korea. A lot of pressures and expectations are put on people given assigned titles and to title myself a photographer here opens up those expectations and pressure. If I were back at home in the states, I would probably use it a bit more loosely than I do here. I do sometimes tell people that I'm a teacher, but I also do photography sometimes. That's a easier way for me to talk about it with them.
I'm a weather forecaster and hiker who likes to take pictures. My mom and favorite aunt are always suggesting I should sell my pictures, but that would make photography not nearly as much fun.
... that's my usual spiel about how I would describe my relationship with photography.
How are you liking Korea?
I was there for a year in 2005. It was a blast. I remember trying to figure out why I had tried to avoid being sent there for 15 years.
I suppose I enjoy it as I approach 17 years living here in a few months. It has become more home than my actual home in the States. Things are familiar and strange all at the same time. I live outside of the cities in the countryside towns so there's a slow pace to life, which I enjoy. Last weekend I was sharing some home brewed Hungarian liquor with a Hungarian lady and her Korean husband in Seoul and photography was brought up when they asked me what I do. I went with the default teacher that sometimes does photography. Turned out to be an interesting conversation because she has a friend in Hungary who is a professional photographer and she was wondering about how to get an exhibition here and asked if I had done any. I told her that I have done some but it was all funded through the local government and culture center and she would need to be a resident so it could be difficult like that.
I can see how it would be easy to stay there for years ... and yes, country vs. city living would probably be the way to go. Especially when the trains make it so easy to get to the city if you want to.
When I was there I lived in Anjeong-ri just outside of Camp Humphreys (which was MUCH smaller then). I really enjoyed the experience.
I'm quite sure I wouldn't recognize any of it now though ... but I will try to see if anything in your pictures looks familiar as I scroll your notes feed.
So much has certainly changed over the years. I experienced a lot of it before I got into photography which is kind of a shame.
I took a lot of pictures in Korea.
But I also lived in England twice when I was younger, and that was before I took many pictures ... so I know pretty much exactly how you feel when it comes to missed photographic opportunities in the past.
I am proud to say that, yes, I am A Photographer...and I have dirt covered jacket, pants and shirt to prove it when I went fully flat on the ground so I could support the camera with the ground and my cell phone under the lens for an impromptu 2 second exposure shot two nights ago...don't tell my wife because I supposed to br driving home at that moment.
Great piece, Todd!
lol, yep Chris ... that's what it's all about!