Yes. I do take bad photographs.
The reason some of you won’t believe it is that I usually only post the good ones.
But I’ve got to tell you, I have taken some really bad photographs. Especially lately. My name has appeared underneath some true garbage. People smiling at the camera, distracted compositions, rushed portraits, I’ve done it all.
And I’m not going to blame it on poor assignments, or the lack of time I had to work a situation, or the way my equipment seems to be wigging out, or any of the other complaints about things that my great-at-complaining photographer brain is loaded with.
I’m going to blame myself. I’m the one taking bad photos.
Now to fix it. My plan to combat this recent rash of mediocrity is to use public shame.
For as long as it takes for me to get my head on straight about photography, I’m going to post my best photo (or two) from every single assignment. That way, if I slack off an assignment there will be no hiding the fact. You can judge for yourself whether I failed.
So here we come, warts and all.
I’ve got to clear my head. I’m spread way too thin right now. It’s time to go on diet and stop bingeing on Netflix, RSS feeds, podcasts, gloomy news about the journalism industry, etc.
It’s time to step up and be a photographer, first and foremost.
Join me.
Back when I was shooting film, I had a much more academic view of photography. i.e. I would not take the shot unless the composition, the light, the subject matter, etc…etc…etc… was right. Because of that, there are absolutely some photos and history that have gone undocumented which was a mistake. Its been said before, but it is a truism that if you are not making photographic mistakes, you are not taking enough pics and fortunately with digital, the cost associated with that is time and not time plus a couple rolls of film which back then meant a weeks groceries.
you’re a brave man!
on my “good days” i could probably give you a run for your money, which sadly happens more than i’d like to admit
I’ll blog about this soon, but after the first week it’s definitely a decision I’m questioning. As newspaper photographers we are always battling the quality vs. quantity war. And with the new thirst for fast web updates, it’s even harder to keep your mind on creating art from history.