Bring Back the Romance
Photography in the digital age can be described in many ways. It is exciting, innovative, productive, and liberating. Still, one cannot ignore the undertones of dissatisfaction from traditionalists. Some will say they simply like film, others may be afraid to step out of their comfort zone and I suspect for some there’s also a certain elitist satisfaction in being outside the mainstream. Whatever the reason, I have to agree that something was indeed lost to the revolution, though it may not be as obvious as a technical tidbit or, really, anything having to do with the actual medium but, rather, with the way it is being put to use. What we’ve lost is not quality or tradition or, as some may claim, veracity of photographic images. Most anything possible today was possible the day the first photograph was made. What was lost is actually something deeper and more subtle: the romance of making photographic images.
To be fair, digital photography did not materialize out of nothing. It is part and parcel of a much larger digital revolution that transformed the way we work, the way we communicate and interact, the way we produce and consume content, and yes, the way we make and use images. And, when it comes to the loss of romance, other electronic media are similarly implicated.
In particular, nature photography, once a solitary and contemplative occupation, now seems to be the topic of an endless stream of electronic images, untold volumes of technical specifications, reviews, ratings, competitions, gadgets, special effects, tweets, likes, gossip, podcasts, marketing, spam, brand wars, and ultimately cynicism, bitterness, and gloom. Sometimes a day spent trying to keep up with photographic forums, Facebook, Twitter, et al. feels like a day spent with your head stuck in a beehive.
In conversations with colleagues I often hear complaints about being “a year behind on my processing” or having to “crunch through 5,000 files from last week’s shoot”, of hating “sitting behind the computer all day” or “can’t believe such-and-such has 100,000 followers”, etc.
When I think of my work, though, and the things that made me a photographer, I think of waking up to a quiet sagebrush scented desert, watching red cliffs glowing in the dawn light, I think of reading Thoreau or Muir in a small tent in the mountains as a summer thunderstorm is pelting the thin walls, I think of the vast and ancient forces that shaped and sculpted the landscape before my lens, I think of nights by a small campfire and the perfume of burning pine. I sure as hell do not think about social media marketing strategies or lose sleep over rumors about the upcoming new camera model or revolutionary thingama-acronym.
And let me share another tidbit with you: I am not behind on my processing, and I never return from a shoot with more images than I can handle. And when I sit behind the computer, I don’t do so with the intent of “crunching though” anything, I set out to continue my creative process with the mindset of wanting to make something beautiful and meaningful, however long it takes, and I love every minute of it.
I trust that most of you reading this feel very much the same way, or did at one point. Scientific research suggests that the appeal of incessant online interactions is linked to physiological traits. In a way, our brain rewards us for forming these connections and partaking in them. But, listen to that other voice within you – the voice that yearns for inspiration, for quiet contemplation, for the freedom and magic of being outdoors and turning the experience into art. Don’t let this little voice be drowned out in the buzz and hum of the electronic tidal wave. Every so often, disconnect, and listen to that voice alone. Remember the beauty and romance and timeless wonders available to you in this amazing world and how much bigger, more mysterious, and more spiritual it is than the virtual one. Find a quiet spot to spend the night away from the city, away from the Internet, away from the noise; appreciate the silence, dare to think deep thoughts, allow yourself to feel and ponder and make momentous life decisions. Bring your camera along, too, make a few exposures of the best moments and, when you’re back home, take your time working them to perfection before you share them with the world, and make sure they tell the story of the experience so that others may share your inspiration as well. Overcome cynicism. Bring back the romance.
Category: Featured, Thoughts and Musings
“Every so often, disconnect, and listen to that voice alone. Remember the beauty and romance and timeless wonders available to you in this amazing world and how much bigger, more mysterious, and more spiritual it is than the virtual one.”
You have nailed it so well!
This is what I call striking the right chord at the right time. So true that of late, artists are so immersed in marketting, FB, twitter, they almost forgot what they have to do – create art.
Creating art with romance is something to ponder for me for a long time! Time to disconnect . . . !
Funny that I just wrote something similar on my blog, too. the negativity attached to any profession or hobby can be overwhelming if we let ourselves get caught up in it. Normally enjoyable aspects become tiresome chores and hence the “crunching” of images. I don’t think of it as a chore and hopefully I won’t, but I don’t envy the hyper-competitive nature of your job either. Stay serene.
You make some great points here Guy. I have never used film so I can’t speak to that, but there is plenty of romance in digital if you have the attitude that you mention above. As the world gets more technological, people have to become more self-aware and step away from ‘the technium’ to regain their sense of romance. Okay, I gotta go and RT this immendiately! hehe..
Patrick
I agree with you Guy that the creative process is not only in taking the photo, but also processing the image. Ansel Adams spent untold hours in the darkroom perfecting his prints. Today’s computers are just another kind of darkroom. So I also enjoy working on my computer to get an image to be the vision I had in my mind when I clicked the shutter. I think perhaps because I did shoot film for so many years, I do not take as large a number of images as many photographers. Of course I do take more digital images than I took on film because there is no cost involved. But I stop shooting when I think I have captured what I set out to capture. I too am up to date with my image processing. It really is not that different from shooting film. Even when I shot tranparencies there was always lots of post shooting work. Slides had to be editted, cataloged and labeled. The 2 things I really like about digital are immediate feedback and the flexibility of photoshop processing.
Great article Guy. Being a bit on the anti-social side, I depise the thought of all the social networking sites, etc. I also enjoy the alone time that sitting at the computer brings, just as I enjoy it in the field, and just like I used to enjoy my alone time in the old traditional darkroom. I don’t know if it’s “romance” of the old ways or not, perhaps just being somewhat resistant to change. I love the freedom the digital age had ushered in, but miss the magic of seeing an image come to life in a tray of developer. Great stuff to ponder over.
“Sometimes a day spent trying to keep up with photographic forums, Facebook, Twitter, et al. feels like a day spent with your head stuck in a beehive.”
YES, YES, YES, will someone please make the madness stop!
Thanks guys!
Patrick, OF COURSE it is possible with digital just as it is possible with film or a brush or a pencil. It’s about attitude, not gadgets!
Guy
Can I get the EXIF info on this article?
Many photographers today seem to be hung up more on quantity of capture than quality of capture. 300 frames in a day are useless if not one of them will make an impact with viewers.
Great article, Guy.
Great article, Guy! The only thing I would add (not that any addition is really needed) is that film is (or, in my case, was) no more and no less romantic than a digital image sensor. Film is just a chemical and mechanical conglomeration that, when handled properly, can record an image. And that description applies equally well to a digital image sensor – from a high level perspective, they’re the same thing! (And there are plenty of technical issues that one can obsess over when working with film and darkrooms.)
The real message doesn’t have much to do with the specific technology with which we record our images. It’s all about how we connect – emotionally and spiritually – to our subject matter and how we (hopefully) convey something about that connection through our images. The world has changed enormously since the golden age of film, and those changes bring (as you rightly point out) a deluge of new distractions. Our challenge is making sure that our mission as photographers doesn’t get lost in that noise.
Michael, what side of Velvia is the EXIF info on?
Jim, I agree! See my response to Patrick above.
Guy
This not only applies to photography, but to everyday living. You and your art are one. Live your life beautifully.
Very good article Guy. Thank you.
Greg…..
For me, it is just a new set of things to complain about. In the film days, seemed like I was always trying to get caught up on my filing, labeling and scanning. Today, it is a new set of tasks I struggle to keep up with, in large part because I would rather spend time out in nature then in the office. Just like today – went skiing instead of key-wording.
The tug of war over my limited time will never go away irregardless of the tools I chose to use.
Guy: I know I’m one of those production crunchers you mention, and you’re absolutely correct; to much of that will suck the passion an romance right out of your sails. That’s whey reminders and ‘compass-reset’ points are so valuable. I remember stepping out of my office last nite at 11:30 pm, and the air was so still and fresh; it reminded me instantly of how much I’d love to have been camping out, in preparation for a cool early sunrise shoot – oh yeah… that passion, … that romance. It’s those remembrances that keep the passion fresh when stuck in an office or behind a computer.
And for MG: Duh, The EXIF data on a Velvia slide is printed in little yellow letters between the sprocket holes. The info may be limited, but it’s there.
Doh! Hit send too fast; supposed to have read: “…*too* much of that will…” and “That’s *why* reminders…”
Couldn’t agree more, Guy. A wonderful post and while I may come back from a road trip with thousands of images, it’s something that I love just as much as taking the photo. I saw the image as I took it and in seeing it large and on an HD screen sort of reinforces that every bit of the road trip was a reward in itself. For that reason I thoroughly enjoy the post-processing of images, and especially of course getting them as well.
Very inspiring words. Thank you for sharing them.
From time to time I get the chance to “listen” to some thoughts of a few photographers, like yours here; what I like the most about them is that they aren’t at all technical advices (like how you compose, etc), but they are just simple plain ideas that tell you that you should ask yourself “why are you doing this in the first place?” and they are really guiding you to find your own way. In the end you should be able to answer also to some of your “technical challenges”. If you just have the patience to reflect a little bit…
One of my better memories from my childhood was camping with my father. Thanks for bringing back those memories. Reading blogs has been a mix bag for me as some are worth my time and some are not (and those quickly go away.) I think you touch on the spiritual and emotional aspect of life of a photographer. Thanks!
Great article Guy, and very timely in this day and age. I find myself retreating from the social networks only to be pulled back in again due to some feeling that it *must* be done in order to keep up.
Once again, thanks for sharing this one.
Jim
Thank you for the reminder of why we took up photography in the first place. However, I note that for most of those of us who chose to make a living out of photography, and therefore have to seek an income from our images, the unpleasant tasks that you describe are the price to pay for those moments for which we yearn.
Great post Guy. I agree, the beauty of photography lies in the Art and not the Graphing of Light. Whether digital or film we need to take the time to smell the roses and connect with the terra firma.
YES!
Thanks for putting it into words, Guy.
Great thoughts, Guy. In my “day job,” I’m behind all the time. It never seems like I can catch up. I think that’s what–at least in part–makes my job feel like work. Photography never really feels like work, but its an escape. I know being a full-time photographer isn’t all glory and image editing, but it seems to me that part of the romance you speak of is that it should never feel like work.
When I was in grad school and still shooting film, I had to limit the number of slides I shot in a day to be able to afford it. Even on big trips, i’d limit myself. I carry sufficient memory now (for any unexpected finds), but I find myself using very little of it. Rather than make images haphazardly, I still find myself relying on my training from my film days, evaluating each composition before making an exposure. Even if it is just electrons I’m burning, I still enjoy the process of making the image. When I do find myself in a situation where I go rapidfire, I don’t enjoy it as much.
I actually see social media as a small part of the romance of digital photography (emphasis on small part!). As someone who is relatively new to photography, I find that the ability to get feedback through avenues like Twitter, Flickr, and Facebook has helped me learn about what resonates with viewers of my work in a way that is both incredibly helpful and less intimidating than formal photography critique forums. I have also connected with inspiring and interesting people with whom I would have otherwise never met, in some cases building meaningful offline relationships that have enriched my life. And, most important of all, social media allows people like me to have access to the thoughts and ideas of people like you in ways that I never could have even five years ago.
While seeking solitude and peace in the natural world will always be my main motivator and at times aspirational goal for my photography, these other things have their own elements of romance as long as the balance tips to the kind of romance you describe above.
Guy, as I read your post (to which I wholeheartedly agree), I thought of someting Colin Fletcher said in “The Man Who Walked through Time.” He remarked how it took him sometimes a week of solitued (in the inner gorge of the Grand Canyon it turns out) to shed the mantle of society and really get in harmony and balance with the natural world.
I know I experience the same thing. And while I love to go out by myself, it’s sometimes heard to clear my soul of the noise of every day life. And yet, clearing it just a little is reinvigorating. And I still get wildly excited when I witness even a normal sunrise.
A friend of mine who is an extraordinarily wonderful landscape photographer, whose roots are deep in the film photography and printing traditions, and who now works in the digital realm – and still produces wonderful photographs – once simply remarked to me that things seem to easy with digital.
That is a much more interesting comment than it seems on the surface and, among other things, I think it might be related to this idea of “romance” being lost.
Dan
There are times when reading others writings touch on inner personal desires, desires to understand, to believe in being part of something greater than oneself. This is so extremely difficult to find in today’s world full of fast paced challenges to get the job done “now” many times without regard to getting a job done which when finished holds truth, humility and personal satisfaction. Your advice on disconnecting with all but your inner emotions, to allow yourself to be moved by all that is natural are simple truths that are worth the time effort and work it may take to achieve even if for a few moments throughout our lives. Thanks Guy.
Brad
Guy, I agree with you completely. If a photographer did all the social networking that everyone says they are supposed to do, he would never take another photo again. It’s easy to get lost in the digital world with Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. and the whole digital workflow. It seems that more emphasis how focuses on what’s done after the photo is taken than taking the photo.
It used to be easier (I’ve been a photographer for over 35 years). You would buy a film camera that would easily last you 20 years, develop your skills, shoot, take the film to the lab and let them do the developing and printing. The photographer didn’t have to do every step themselves. The pace of the entire industry was slower, and more sane.
But we are where we are, and we must make the best of the industry as it is today. I do social networking and have a blog, but I’m less active than everyone else says I should be. I also write articles, and make sure that shooting is my priority.
My slower pace has worked so far. A couple months ago I was in Shutterbug, and next month I’m going to be in Photo Zoom (both an article and as their featured photographer). I’m also in a gallery. If I was doing the social networking that others say I should I may be more successful, but I would be so busy I’d be a wreck.
Have Fun,
Jeff
“… nature photography, once a solitary and contemplative occupation, now seems to be the topic of an endless stream of electronic images, untold volumes of technical specifications, reviews, ratings, competitions, gadgets, special effects, tweets, likes, gossip, podcasts, marketing, spam, brand wars, and ultimately cynicism, bitterness, and gloom.”
Hey Guy
You left out blog posts.
Cheers
Carl
Thank you for writing this…bring back the heart and Soul of quiet time. I love people, but must balance it with time alone with nature, which blossoms into my art. Thank you for “justifying” the essence of our creativity in this age of noise and busy-ness!
I am deeply moved by your post Guy. It comes at a good time as I have been “crunching through” a lot of activities lately, definitely making progress, but losing something along the way and nearly always feeling overwhelmed and behind. I have a friend who is now working with me on the photography some and I have been educating her about my father and his approach to life. I had her read this post because I told her that you epitomize the philosophy that my father would have if he had made it into the digital era. This post profoundly echoes his sentiments on many occasions and that is meant as the ultimate compliment. He definitely took the road less traveled and as a result was much happier and more likable than others with more materialistic values.
Just spent a full day in downtown Chicago at a History Museum, an amazing Nature Conservatory, and the lake front. No work, no emails, no marketing, no computer, (admittedly a few adolescent texts to Anthony Vincent), and a few hours of slowly and so enjoyably photographing rare flowers. This article is a nice end to a nice day.
I don’t agree that the digital revolution has taken out the romance – I had an experience this week that leads me to believe the opposite in fact. Perhaps the endless online discussions and dissections has taken out the mystery and mystique. I’ve been thinking a lot about what you say here – thanks for the inspiration.
[...] articles caught my attention this week. The first was Guy Tal’s blog article “Bring Back the Romance”. The second, by Harold Davis was posted on photo.net and titled “Harnessing the Power of [...]
There is so much more that I get from my walk about with camera in hand than the picture I store on a small memory chip. I am in every picture, in between the lens and the object of my attention. I live the experience and sometimes the picture captures some of my life, rarely all, mostly, just some.
Like reaching for a ray of sunshine, I love reaching for a picture. I treasure that reach and when I find I am more focused on the object or how that object will be received by others, I pause and remind myself. There is no goal.
Nicely written Guy, couldn’t agree more.
Wilderness has a way of restoring that “romance” like nothing else I have experienced.
I like to listen to that little voice in the woods, enjoy the silence, and tweet about it later.
I think it has everything to do with effort. Effort and romance are directly related, and the digital age seems to have removed effort from almost any task.
A random example might be delivering mail. Back in the day we had the pony express, a highly romanticized method of cross continental messages that required a monumental effort. Now we have the postal service of today, which is more quaint than romantic, and of course… email, requiring about as much effort as a muscle spasm.
Similarly, it requires a lot more effort for careful contemplation than hitting the “like” button. Not saying that real contemplation no longer occurs, but generic overbearing praise and “like” functions seem to be the current level of discourse.
I’m too young and too new to photography to have experience shooting seriously with film, but I could imagine that it did, in fact, require a lot of effort. Lugging around a 4×5 camera and carefully composing and exposing each piece of film knowing that each exposure has a real cost. Editing photos with tangible tools and chemicals. It does all sound romantic to me.
But there are experiences we can still have. Sharing our work with friends and family. Holding the prints in our hands, observing their reactions in person, discussing what went in to each photo. It’s a beautiful thing, and something I would like to do more of.
Great article Guy, with a lot of ideas to contemplate. There are, without a doubt, many ways to take modern, digital photography – it can be liberating for some, and downright mind-numbing for others. It depends, I would think, on how you approach it. Some approach it simply as “making lemonaide out of lemons”.
I’m a very traditional photographer, I shoot exclusively film. I do this primarily because I love the look and feel of film. As part of my love affair with film, I shoot mostly 4×5. Those times when I do shoot 35mm it seems like the grind you talk about – the endless hours of scanning and correcting in Photoshop. My method of photography is more more introspective; I want to contemplate nature, then try to capture it on film. Just this morning, I was shooting the early morning light along the windward coast of Oahu; I took all of 8 transparencies, but the experience will be remembered for some time to come.
Guy, this is the best writing on nature photography I’ve ever seen on the internet.
Thank you for sharing these essays.
How much I enjoyed reading this!
I am a fervent defender of the internet, of the social network, for it is a wonderful and powerful new channel of communication… for few we first learn how to use it in our own appropriated way, for few we find the good integration to our own rhythm of life, for few we are careful to not get addicted but intelligent in the use.
As any (r)evolution, digital possibilities and accessibility increased dramatically the number of users, and as for cars, for example, makes a big “traffic jam” where people discovered how easy is it to buy a good camera, put the shot into a software treatment, apply one of the hundred “artistic” presets, and declare themselves “photographer”.
And sometimes, it works!
That gives to the legitimate photographer hard time to be recognized as such.
Well, a new challenge for him to be above the mass and produce with his particularities.
Therefore, it’s less a question of “technique” than a human instinct that put the legitimate photographer at the good place and at the good moment.
All is in the “eye” of the photographer that sees what others don’t, even with the new best camera of the world…
Very valid thoughts, Guy. I think anyone who pursues photography as a business does experience these feelings from time to time and it is natural to do so because what job doesn’t have some unpleasant times? If it doesn’t, you aren’t working hard. But this is also a reminder to seek balance in life and that many aspects of the photographic life are actually quite fulfilling and more fun than the average corporate job. We need to step away from the work more and smell the flowers outside sometimes.
I couldn’t agree with you more – dig out your film cameras and rekindle the joy of creating every individual image, it’s not a ‘shot’ it’s a moment! Large format camera are the best to get you into a discipline of appreciating every single exposure you make and taking the care and consideration that I feel should adorn my digital work too.
i could not agree more. i am an amateur, exploring the world through photography, and photography through the world. i enjoy selecting and processing images, and was surprised to see a post from a fellow amateur hinting that the processing was more of a necessity than a pleasure. for me, processing is a zen activity—i get lost in the shoot all over again.
I suppose I’m one of the few that has switched away from digital, and back to film. Since switching back to LF, I have seen a significant increase in my own personal satisfaction with the work I have created. It is the simplicity of the camera, and the fact that *every shot counts* that I have embraced. Often times, I will have just one or two sheets of film, so I must want for just the right moment.
When the shot is nailed, I know that I have captured the best possible photo, regardless of technology.
This same philosophy can be used for digital. Simply take the time to learn more about your subject, shoot less frames, and make every frame count.
Like always very well said Guy. You have a talent of putting into words what so many of us are thinking. I really respect your talent for writing as well as your eye for photography.