The Value Of Having Friends In Photography

Drying Clothes in the Rain (click to enlarge)
Olympus E-M1, Panasonic 35-100mm f/2.8 lens @ 80mm; 1/40th sec. @ f/9; ISO 200

The other day I was sitting with a group of friends having lunch.  This particular group of friends are or were involved in photography for most of their lifetimes.  However, each was involved in a different way.  Each of us has been friends for a long, long time.  

Two of my dear friends, a husband and wife, owned and operated what we used to call a "camera store." Like dinosaurs, sadly they are now almost extinct. (not my friends, but camera stores!  LOL) Before owning their own store, for a couple of decades they worked for a large photographic wholesale, retail and photo processing company which dealt both in the professional as well as amateur markets in the photographic industry.  They were in the photo business on the retail side.  Both also enjoyed making images as well.

Another individual at lunch was the Director of Photography at one of the newspapers in this country that was always known as one of the best in photography.  One of the best in the caliber of photographers who worked there as well as the quality of images and how those images either illustrated a story line or stood alone as excellent images or illustration.  He knows how to spot a good photographer and hire him or her.  He didn't let talent get away when a young photographer showed real talent.

Two other two individuals at lunch were (still are) incredibly talented photographers who, for 50 years, worked as photojournalists at that particular newspaper. If they worked there, then by definition, they were and are excellent photojournalists.  Goes without saying. Both men are still active and are outstanding photographers today.  (Just because you retire doesn't mean all of a sudden you don't know what you are doing.  Lots of people have that attitude today about retirees.)

Stay with me here, I'm going to make a point.

I have two other close friends with whom I share breakfast regularly and go out and photograph with as well, that are excellent photographers but are strictly amateurs. Their careers were in government service in the criminal justice system.  They photograph, not for money, but for the love of photography and for the love of their primary subjects—wildlife and birds.  They love the hunt of finding raptors, foxes, bears, elk, deer, song birds, eagles, and other wildlife. They love the challenge of producing a high quality image of the wildlife they see.  Both are excellent photographers as well.

Also, I have met and made some photographic friends by writing this blog.  We make it a point to spend time with each other as time permits.  They, too, have a diverse and different background than any of the others.  Writing this blog has bettered the quality of my life as I would not have met these individuals if I hadn't stretched myself to start this endeavor.

Each of these individuals has or has had a different role in photography.  Retailers, photographic managers, professional photographers and amateur photographers. Personally, I am blessed to call each one a friend.

Each comes to the table with a different perspective about photography.  Each brings diversity of thought and experience.  Differing viewpoints depending upon their individual expertise and background. Diversity of thought, background and experience is a very good thing among friends.  You never want to surround yourself with "yes" people.  People who agree with everything you say or think.  Not healthy.  You need to always hear the other side of the story, differing opinions.

I'm convinced there are two things that bring us together as friends.  The first is obvious. We all have an interest in the common thread called photography.  All from different perspectives but more commonality than differences.  But more importantly, we share values.  

Sharing values doesn't mean we all agree on everything.  Heavens no!  Sharing values means we all agree on the important stuff in life.  We agree on how we should live our lives in focusing outward to help others rather than focusing inward on ourselves.  How to treat others.  You know, the old Golden Rule.  You know, the really important things in life.  This sharing of values has allowed us to remain friends over many, many years.  If our values had differed, our friendships would have dissolved years ago.

Think about a time when you met someone and thought you could become friends.  But the more time you spent with this person, the more you realized you just didn't like the way he or she acted in public—or private for that matter, treated others, talked about people in a derogatory way, even the words they chose to use in everyday conversation. The friendship didn't develop because you didn't really want to be around this person or be associated with this person.  You didn't share what you felt was important about your life and how to live it.  In other words, you didn't share values.

Because we are friends, we can rib (aggravate) each other in a joking way, we tell stories, we share experiences, we share mistakes without risk of ridicule, we share things that we would never share if we felt sharing would ever put us in jeopardy or danger.  Friends never purposefully hurt or embarrass each other.  

Glad you are still with me as here is the tie in to photography...

A group of friends who share a common interest, in this case photography, as well as share common beliefs about living and life can be very beneficial to you as a photographer. Photographic friends can encourage each other in a way non photographers cannot. Photographic friends can give honest feedback to each other.  Photographic friends can ask questions of each other and expect honest answers as sincerity and honesty is required of friends.  Photographic friends can offer challenges to creative roadblocks each may have in a way others can't.  Why?  Because, in the same manner as a musician—one who has created music and plays an instrument—looks at a musical score with educated and trained eyes, hears and understands music much differently than a person who only has listened to others play music, photographic friends understand each other on a level that only those who create and make photographs can.  Those who have only looked at photographs (and I'm not talking about snapshots here) can never quite make the leap to look at an image or understand what it takes to see a subject, take that subject and arrange that subject within the confines of a tiny viewfinder so that everyday subject becomes art and then execute that vision as only another photographer can. That is the benefit of having photographic friends.  A deeper understanding of the creative photographic process that can help you make the leap to the next level or help you get past a creative roadblock.

More importantly, again focused on others as opposed to yourself, you as a photographer friend may be able to provide some critical help to them and help them rise to the next level.

Having friends who are either photographers or are in the photographic world in some way can bring insight and counsel to your photographic endeavors.  You then put yourself in a position to help them as well.  If you don't have any close photographer friends, I recommend you find some photographers who share similar values and with whom you can share your love of photography.  If you have some, make a point of getting together and just talking and enjoying your common interests.  I've found it is always worthwhile as I always seem to walk away enlightened and uplifted.

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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