My vision for ARS FOTO; the art of photography.
1. Photography is art
The first point I want to make with you:
Photography IS art, and SHOULD be art.
Too many of these insecure artists try to talk down on photography. Why? Insecurity!
Consider, there is a pecking order in photography and art. Everyone is always trying to ‘one up’ one another. Essentially the whole game is like this lame dick-measuring contest in which everyone is trying to flex how big their camera is, how expensive and exotic their gear is, instead of doing what they really love; which is making photos they love and care for.
2. The love of photo
What is your photographic love story? How did you first discover the camera? And why did you first pick up the camera? These are very important questions to ask yourself. Why? Based on these questions, you will drive your entire photographic journey forward.
For myself, I was always artistic as a kid. I loved to draw, paint, and make art works. I was lucky; my mom encouraged my artwork from an early age.
Fast forward a bit, and a lot of chaos in my family prevented me from pursuing my art. I dropped it for a while. I started playing video games and watching TV; totally forgetting about art.
I remember when I was in high school and the first digital cameras hit the scene. The Canon Powershot point and shoot digital cameras… with an LCD SCREEN! Holy shit this stuff was like magic. The notion:
Wait… I could actually see in real-time what my photo is going to look like? No need to wait 24 hours before seeing my photo?
This was a huge revelation to me. Why? Because at the time (I was born in 1988), the notion of a digital camera was still new. It was still common to have disposable film cameras. My notion of photography was:
You got a disposable film camera with 36 shots. Make every shot count. Don’t waste a shot.
Now, I could freely express myself UNLIMITED with photography! Isn’t this insane? I loved it! I got my first canon Powershot point and shoot SD600 as a graduation present, and I kept it in my front pocket everywhere I went. I photographed everything and I still remember discovering the macro function, discovering to change exposure, and discovering converting my photos into black and white and beyond ; this was beautiful. Also my discovery of the rule of thirds composition lines I could superimpose on my photos; this was amazing.
3. When did I get corrupted?
Question:
When did my pure and innocent vision for photography get ruined and compromised?
Probably the internet. Social media. The desire to be ‘good’ and ‘worthy’ in the eyes of others.
I still remember one of my early desires:
The day I can get at least 100 ‘favs’ on my photo; I will die happy!
Then I did it! It was great, but just for a moment. Then I saw others with 200 favs, and 300 favs, and more! I kept hungering for more of those little pink stars. But like Dr. Seuss’ book on the Sneetches; I could never get enough of those little stars.
4. Fast forward to now
Okay now present day, where am I at? Well, for myself, I am currently in a spot in which I want to become the next Steve Jobs or Elon Musk for photography. Essentially my grand vision is this:
Photography will become the new dominant form of arts expression, and also become even MORE DOMINANT than passive things like ‘e-sports’ and ‘e-gaming’.
Photography as the ultimate game. Photography as the ultimate MMORPG. Photography as the ultimate tool for artistic self-expression and also for mental and physical health.
Photography is the key.
5. Don’t let nobody fuck with your self-esteem
This is the big thing:
Everyone is trying to fuck with your self-esteem and make you feel SMALLER and LESSER about yourself.
Why is this? Typically my thought:
All photographers are insecure about being photographers and not ‘real artists’. Thus the common notion: “I picked up photography because I couldn’t draw!”
Hogwash! Photography is just as legitimate as drawing, painting, sculpture, poetry, etc. What is more important:
Your execution. Your skill. Your focus. Your passion. Your love. Your artistic vision.
6. So what now?
Then comes the question:
OK — I have now declared myself an artist, and even a visual artist to boot. Now what?
Now what do you desire to do with your newfound powers? Some thoughts:
- Go out and make more (new) photos. Our life blood is making new photos. It ain’t about trying to make “perfect” photos. This is a Platonic (Plato as the pseudo-philosopher who ruined art and aesthetics for us) notion. There is no perfection. Would you call a tree perfect? No! It is always striving FOR MORE!
- You grow in proportion to you can feed your visual intellect.
- See yourself on the same level as the great and master photographers of the past. Then strive to SUPERSEDE THEM! Strive to ‘jump over Henri!’
SHOOT ON!
ERIC KIM