{"id":75305,"date":"2017-12-29T07:34:19","date_gmt":"2017-12-29T15:34:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=75305"},"modified":"2017-12-29T07:34:19","modified_gmt":"2017-12-29T15:34:19","slug":"whats-the-value-of-a-photograph","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/12\/29\/whats-the-value-of-a-photograph\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the Value of a Photograph?"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been thinking \u00e2\u20ac\u201d there are so many good photos and images now in the world. What is the practical benefit, or value of a photograph?<\/p>\n

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MODERN PHOTOGRAPHER<\/a><\/h2>\n
\"The<\/a>
THE MODERN PHOTOGRAPHER by HAPTICPRESS<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Learn how to thrive as a photographer in modern times ><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

The change<\/h2>\n
\"Orange
Orange and blue. Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The internet is essentially a big copying machine. All pictures, photos, videos, and content is essentially free.<\/p>\n

You can see how the internet has revolutionized everything.<\/p>\n

There are billions of photos on Instagram and Facebook. Every day, there are more photographers entering the professional market. Which means, more choice and variety for photography \u00e2\u20ac\u201dwhich ultimately means less money and opportunity for photographers (in the traditional sense, for photographers who work for photo commissions like photography technicians, or photographers who go on Assignment).<\/p>\n

Images are (now) opium for the masses<\/h2>\n
\"Red
Red and blue abstract. Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I was on the Magnum photos website the other day, and I was blown away by all the phenomenal projects they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been working on, in terms of documentary and reportage work.<\/p>\n

But the sad reality \u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n

\n Nobody really cares for human suffering, or humanitarian causes anymore.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

My theory:<\/p>\n

\n We are getting distracted to death with entertainment, consumerism, capitalism, and media.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What will get lots of likes?<\/h2>\n
\"Abstract
Abstract man with arm. Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For example, we all want to be happy. Consumers and people don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like to look at \u00e2\u20ac\u0153depressing\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photos of starving kids in Africa. We want to look at \u00e2\u20ac\u0153happy\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and colorful pictures on Instagram.<\/p>\n

Cindy and Jacob Patterson has shown me these new things popping up in Los Angeles and America \u00e2\u20ac\u201dessentially colorful backdrops for Instagram users to get lots of likes, but these are marketed as \u00e2\u20ac\u0153museums\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153exhibitions\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. But in reality, they are just big advertisements \u00e2\u20ac\u201d brands and companies will pay the exhibitors a ton of money to integrate their own backdrops into the exhibition. Imagine as a marketer \u00e2\u20ac\u201d there is nothing better than having a bunch of people shoot a selfie of themselves, with Dyson vacuums in the background.<\/p>\n

What does the masses really care about?<\/h2>\n
\"Blue
Blue sky, orange window. Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In one sense \u00e2\u20ac\u201dthese marketers and exhibitors are geniuses. They know our love of Instagram, social media, and the need to get more likes and followers.<\/p>\n

\"Cindy
Cindy with hand on head. Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s world,<\/p>\n

\n Likes, followers, and social media candy is more important than \u00e2\u20ac\u0153meaningful\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photographs.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Of course, there are still many people in the world who care about humanitarian causes. And also, photographing injustice, pain and suffering in the world is very important. But \u00e2\u20ac\u201d once again, does the mass public really care for these images?<\/p>\n

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Humanitarian photography is very important<\/h2>\n
\"Golden
Golden hour, boy in orange jacket by water. Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An aside \u00e2\u20ac\u201d I think in today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s world, as individuals \u00e2\u20ac\u201dwe should seek to make uplifting photos which gives people hope in the world.<\/p>\n

For example, even when photographing injustice or inequality \u00e2\u20ac\u201dto not just make photos that guilt the viewer into donating or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153feeling bad\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00e2\u20ac\u201dbut perhaps motivating the viewer to want to help \u00e2\u20ac\u201d by making photos that show that these people suffering have hope.<\/p>\n

Spread joy and hope<\/h2>\n
\"Cindy,
Cindy, Golden hour, by the water in marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Also as another aside \u00e2\u20ac\u201dI think that there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a lot of pain and suffering in millions of people in developed countries. I think it is also our duty to empower people \u00e2\u20ac\u201dusing photography as a tool.<\/p>\n

I see photography as one of the best tools for self-healing, and self empowerment. I know for myself, photography has given me purpose, direction, and excitement in life.<\/p>\n

I think as photographers, we can share our joy of photography with others \u00e2\u20ac\u201d by teaching others how to make better photos, using photography as a tool to organize social gatherings and meet ups, and also giving people photography a tool of artistic self-expression.<\/p>\n

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Practical takeaways on the value of a photograph<\/h2>\n
\"Red
Red and white selfie. Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So my first proposition:<\/p>\n

\n The value of a photograph is using it as a tool to stimulate people to making social change.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The second proposition:<\/p>\n

\n The value of photography is to empower people, to give them more joy in life.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Third proposition:<\/p>\n

\n To succeed as a modern photographer, to depend less on selling images. Perhaps teaching photography empowerment or therapy courses, or even photographers to become VERY COMMERCIAL \u00e2\u20ac\u201dI see a hopeful future for commercial, fashion, luxury, and any photography for advertising and selling stuff.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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How to protect your eyes and attention<\/h2>\n
\"Hand
Hand abstract and blue background. Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We live in an image saturated world. Our eyes are our most valuable organs in today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s world. Advertisers are constantly battling for our attention, and to stimulate our eyes.<\/p>\n

Movies, shoes, and media constantly stimulate our eyes. We all seek to spend a lot of money on fashion, clothes, flashy cars, and other external visual markers of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153success\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.<\/p>\n

\"Callisto,
Callisto, our cat. Marseille. 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My ultimate suggestion:<\/p>\n

\n Protect your eyes and attention.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Whenever possible, be skeptical, and be aware that almost everything on social media (and even this website) is an advertisement for something.<\/p>\n

Practical ideas:<\/h2>\n
\"Cindy
Cindy with blue candle over face. Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
    \n
  1. Install Adblock plugins on your computer browser, and install advertisement blockers on your mobile devices. For iOS\/iPhone devices I recommend using \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Purify\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, and there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s tons of free Adblock browsers on Android. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Adblock ultimate\u00e2\u20ac\u009d works well on desktop. <\/li>\n
  2. When you are using \u00e2\u20ac\u0153free\u00e2\u20ac\u009d social media tools (Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, Facebook messenger, What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s App)\u00e2\u20ac\u201d realize you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re the product, trading your personal data and information to advertisers in exchange for your access to these tools. <\/li>\n
  3. Advertising isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t evil or good \u00e2\u20ac\u201dit is just another form of communication. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t vilify it, just be real \u00e2\u20ac\u201dand just build skepticism. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Man’s most valuable trait is a judicious sense of what not to believe.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d – Euripides\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    ERIC<\/p>\n

    MODERN PHOTOGRAPHER<\/a><\/h2>\n
    \"The<\/a>
    THE MODERN PHOTOGRAPHER by HAPTICPRESS<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Learn how to thrive as a photographer in modern times ><\/a><\/p>\n

    \n

    PHOTO JOURNAL<\/a><\/h2>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    Find more Personal meaning in your photographic life with PHOTO JOURNAL ><\/a><\/p>\n

    \n

    PHOTO THERAPY<\/a><\/h1>\n

    How to find more joy in your life with photography:<\/p>\n