2020 Vision | Photographic Identity

For a long time, I struggled with this issue.

Who am I?

As a Person, Magician, Carer and Photographer?

What is my core identity?

It took me a long time to distinguish this simple truth.

This has come to a head; I am currently enrolled on The Masters of Photography Course and my tutor is Joel Meyerowitz.

His core message after four lessons is: discover and uncover your identity.

In my last post, I mentioned I was playing far too safe.

I now understand why; “CONFLICT”.

All my life, I have avoided conflict with others.

As a Magician, I was hiding behind my impeccable performance, as a Photographer, I was hiding………very often…behind…………a long zoom Lens.

As a Carer for my mother I discovered I was hiding behind my fear of losing her.

How can I ever be masterful in any of the areas that I am passionate about if I don’t confront my fear.

The fear of doing wrong, not being liked, being attacked and bullied. Bullying was a big deal in my life growing up along with racial abuse.

My course tutor, Mr Joel said; “You own the streets, anything and everything on the streets is fair game”.

So, my intuition has guided me to a singular discovery; my photographic identity is all about being honest, real and authentic.

What does this mean?

It means if I am presented with a moment on the streets and my heart skips a beat, this is a YES moment. This means that life has presented me with a moment where I can confront my fear and deal with it.

It means, CREATE THE IMAGE…….GO FOR IT.

The four images above reveal exactly where I was standing; the money shot is the gesture of the lady indicating “we need to go this way”. She was looking at her phone to navigate some place.

What was Intetesting to me was my own athleticism, getting into position for the final shot and GESTURE.

In my quiet meditation, I have rehearsed my script; what am I going to say if someone disagrees with me creating their image candidly?

I will honour my Photographic Identity and be honest and authentic.

I will tell them the truth and why.

“I found you interesting sir/madam, in this exact moment, I found you irresistible, it was a reflex action, here, take a look”

This is my heartfelt truth, all said without fear and a happy smile on my face.

I find people and moments interesting…..I MUST CREATE AN IMAGE.

My whole philosophy is; CREATE THE MOMENT…….EXPLAIN IF I NEED TO AFTER.

I will never APOLOGIES FOR BEING HONEST AND AUTHENTIC.

This is who I am.

Every image I create is an acknowledgment of life, myself, my truth and our humanity.

This is my photography, this is who I am.

Thanks for reading 🙏🏽