I photograph to see what the world looks like photographed. – Garry Winogrand

For me, I often make photos, because I’m curious to see what the ‘real life’ scene will look like as a photo.

Huh?

To break down the Garry Winogrand quote:

We perceive reality through our eyes in “real life.” When we make a photo of something in real life, that image is transformed by a digital sensor into 1s and 0s. In film, the celluloid film transforms the scene into a new interpretation.

Therefore, photography is just an interpretation of reality.

Paint your own reality

Practical advice in photography:

Don’t capture “reality” as you see it in “real life.” Rather, make weird photos that don’t look like real life.

This is good, because it means you don’t need “photo realism” with an expensive high end, digital camera.

Rather, you’re making an interpretation of reality with your lens and perspective.

Don’t aim for realism.

Paint your subjects with purple skin. Do “photo montages”, and combine photography with other art forms.

Trace your photos. Draw on them.

Cubism was brilliant because Picasso gave a middle finger to reality and perspective. He painted what made sense to him.

Do the same.

I’ve been having fun tracing my photos, and adding color. Just fuck around like a kid, and have fun. No rules in photography or art.

Let’s be “photo anarchists.”

BE STRONG,
ERIC

DARK SKIES OVER TOKYO

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