{"id":79328,"date":"2018-03-08T13:24:15","date_gmt":"2018-03-08T21:24:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=79328"},"modified":"2018-03-08T13:24:15","modified_gmt":"2018-03-08T21:24:15","slug":"why-you-must-photograph-what-youre-passionate-about","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/08\/why-you-must-photograph-what-youre-passionate-about\/","title":{"rendered":"Why You Must Photograph What You’re Passionate About"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
I SHOOT STREET PHOTOGRAPHY ARTWEAR<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To never run out of inspiration in your photography, you must only photograph what you’re passionate about.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Definition of passion<\/h2>\n
\"Cindy
Kyoto, 2016 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

First of all, what is ‘passion’?<\/p>\n

Passion comes from the latin: “passio” (which means ‘suffering’). For example, we can say the “passion of Jesus Christ” (when Jesus suffered on the cross).<\/p>\n

In modern society, when we say we are “passionate” about something, we actually mean that we are “enthusiastic” about something. Enthusiasm comes from the ancient Greek “entheos” (possessed by god’s). En = in, Theos: god, Ousia = essence. So Enthusiasm means to be “possessed by a God (or Gods)”, and that you have the essence of a God (or Gods) within yourself.<\/p>\n

Why I like passion<\/h2>\n
\"Hanoi,
Hanoi, 2016 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I still prefer the term “passion” because it is a more emotional, fervent, and sacrificial word.<\/p>\n

To me, to be “passionate” is to have a burning fire within your heart– something that you feel so strongly about that you will feel pain and suffering as a consequence.<\/p>\n

The reason I like the word “passionate” is because if you truly care about something, it ain’t all roses and easy. It is hard. To pursue your passion is difficult, challenging, and often painful.<\/p>\n

\"Broken
Broken glass. Hanoi, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For example I am passionate about, photography<\/a>, philosophy<\/a>, teaching, sociology, economics, entrepreneurship<\/a>, and of course more specifically– street photography<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Motivate yourself<\/h2>\n

\"Pinocchio<\/p>\n

To pursue what you are passionate about means to be self-driven, self-motivated, and to run on your own inner-fire. It means that you don’t need others to “motivate” you to pursue what you are passionate about. It means having bravery, confidence, and courage to put yourself out there– because you want to give birth to the art you are passionate about. It means you also want to help empower others in their passion.<\/p>\n

If you aren’t passionate about what you do or photograph, you will lose enthusiasm for what you want to photograph. You will lose the zest, and you will lose inspiration\/motivation to make photos.<\/p>\n

\n

What do you find meaningful in your life?<\/h2>\n
\"Cindy
Berlin, 2017 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In practical terms, this means:<\/p>\n

\n Only photograph what you are passionate about.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If you don’t care about what you photograph, why photograph it?<\/p>\n

To me, I only photograph what I love or care about. I only photograph what I am curious about. I only photograph people, things, and scenes where I can see my own soul<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"My
My mom getting her eyes checked. Busan, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As a photographer, you determine meaning. Which means, you only photograph what is personally-meaningful to you. Thus when you share your photos with others, you are telling them:<\/p>\n

\n “This is what I find meaningful in my life and in the world around me.”\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As a photographer, you are a judge. You make a judgement on what is meaningful to you or not. You distinguish what is beautiful by photographing only what you find beautiful.<\/p>\n

\n

Distinguish what you photograph<\/h2>\n
\"Cindy
Cindy passed out after studying. Marseille, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\n “To encourage means to distinguish.” – Ferdinando Galiani\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

To stay encouraged in your photography, distinguish what you find meaningful in your life.<\/p>\n

For example,<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Photograph your loved ones (friends, family, children, parents) — Personal Photography<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Honor thy selfie<\/a> (shoot selfies<\/a> of yourself)<\/li>\n
  3. Photograph colors<\/a> that bring a smile to your face, try shooting red-green combinations<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  4. Shoot street photographs<\/a> of strangers who you feel an emotional connection with (can you empathize with them, or feel the emotions they feel?)<\/li>\n
  5. Don’t listen to what others tell you to photograph: Only photograph what you want to photograph.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \n

    What if I’ve lost my passion for photography?<\/h2>\n

    \"Eric<\/p>\n

    If you’ve lost your passion for photography, that is OK. Take a break from photography. Learn how to draw instead (pick up CREATIVE EVERYDAY: Print Edition<\/a> or CREATIVE EVERYDAY: Mobile Edition<\/a>).<\/p>\n