So What!

Lone fisherwoman with blue sky and clouds reflecting in the water.
With her hand in her pocket, she seems to be rather bored! (click to enlarge)
Olympus E-M1, Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 Pro lens @ 55mm; 1/2500th sec. @ f/4; ISO 200

Are your photographs "So What" photographs? Would someone look at them and say "so what." Would someone ask "so what" difference does this photograph make? Or, might someone ask "so what" is the meaning of this image?  If you believe that you are an artist and want to create meaningful art, or are trying to create photographs with true meaning such as documentarians, photojournalists and others who photograph in those genres, that will make a difference in the world, I hope your images aren't "So What" images.

Most of the photographs I make I call "So What" photographs.  They don't have much meaning. They may be interesting, pleasing to the eye, sometimes even striking, but they won't change the world. They are usually not emotionally strong. They won't win any contests.  They aren't anything special, for the most part. In fact, a lot of my photographs are "record" shots.  In other words, they are a record of places I have been and the things I have seen.  My images are not necessarily the iconic views of well visited venues, but more my interpretation of the places I have visited.

Much of the time, I practice what I call "casual' photography.  They are nice to look at but if they didn't exist, it would be no big deal to anyone.

The only photographs that I make that I believe have meaning are the ones of my family, friends and family events.  Those are the photographs that, to me, are worthwhile keeping beyond my lifetime as they are historical documents of my family, family activities and events as well as my friends. There are times when I like to look back lovingly when my 30-something children were small and I photographed their activities.  I suspect one day they will like to look at themselves as well as show their children.  Family history.  Personal history.  Images of friends that may no longer be alive.  These images are important to us, but not many others.

So, why do I make photographs that have little meaning?

Well, I love photography and going out and finding and making images.  I photograph for the joy and pleasure it brings me.  It is a passion for me. When I see something that evokes an emotional response in me, I normally will make a photograph or two of the subject.  

I like the hunt. I like looking closely at my vast surroundings and finding pleasing images in small parts of those surroundings.  I'm not necessarily interested only in the "grand" landscape or in large expansive views.  I like finding small patterns, juxtapositions, contrasting colors, unusual objects, split second happenings that others wouldn't even notice.  I like seeing things others never see and saving what I saw.  I like creating something out of seemingly nothing.

Additionally, I don't fancy myself as a significant, important or great photographer, by any stretch of the imagination. I think I do okay as a photographer. I'm accomplished and have 45 years experience in about every type of photography there is.  I've photographed as an amateur, enthusiast and professional at different times over my adult life.  

But it all comes back to one thing for me.  As I advise others to do, I take photographs for myself.  That way, I'm pretty much always happy with my photography.  It is a losing proposition to take photographs to try to please others, unless of course, you are being paid to do so.  Then you have to please your employer and yourself. It is like living your life, not to get the most out of it, but to please someone else and hope that person is happy with you.  Not enough time in life to do that, in my opinion.

But if you take photographs of things you like, that please you, that interest you, that evoke an emotional response in you, no matter what they look like, you will be pretty happy with your photography, no matter what anyone else says.  Don't try to photograph subjects, genres or in a style that you think others will like.  I would wager that if you photograph in a manner that its all the right chords inside of you, your images will be much better than trying to photograph how you think someone else will like you images.

Don't worry about taking earth changing photographs.  Don't worry about making images that will please everyone else.  Take photographs to please yourself, that look good to you and have meaning to you.  If you do, they won't be so much a "So What" photograph.

Thanks for looking.  Enjoy!

Dennis Mook

Many of my images can be found at www.dennismook.com.  Please pay it a visit.  I add new images regularly.  Thank you.

All content on this blog is © 2013-2015 Dennis A. Mook.  All Rights Reserved.  Feel free to point to this blog from your website with full attribution.  Permission may be granted for commercial use.  Please contact Mr. Mook to discuss permission to reproduce the blog posts and/or images.