Making More Engaging Work and Moving Beyond The Snapshot
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- Опубліковано 5 жов 2024
- Nearly a year ago, I came to a new way of thinking about my artwork, that I would argue has been one of the greatest game changers in moving my work and conceptual ideas to the next level. I reference the idea of having conversations within our photography, and creative vision, time and time again on TMT's and livestreams. This one idea answers, at least for me, so much of why I shoot the way I shoot, how I approach the scenes and people I approach, and how I want my work to be offered to viewers.
Conversations can be broken down, on the most basic level, into 3 categories or levels... The first being surface level conversations. These are the "how about that weather" conversations. They don't go much further than this, and offer no real substance to either party involved. The second level moves into a friendship category, where more probing is done in the conversation, and each of the parties is offering insight into their lives and personalities. Lastly is the level of intimacy. This is found in the closest of friendships, as well as in marriages. The deepest darkest secrets are revealed, and offered in vulnerability between each of the conversing friends.
In order for us to move from "snapshots" or (surface level) conversations in our work, and into "good" shots (friendship level) or even better "intimate" shots (intimate level), we must shift our approach and mindset when "working a scene".
I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments down below! Do you agree with this idea? Have you considered something similar in the past? Share your ideas, and lets get the conversation rolling with the rest of the community!
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Nick Mayo
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Show Notes :
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My name is Nick Mayo, I am a Michigan based film photographer and creative sharing my triumphs and struggles within the world of art and photography. I have a great number of videos lined up for sharing different things I've learned along the way in my creative journey, as well as some interviews with other creatives and influencers about their joys and struggles within the industry.
When you talk about having a conversation with the scene and emotional responses. Contemplating those two thought deeply really helps bring more focused efforts to our projects and makes our path more clear to what we want to convey. Thank you so much for your videos.
I feel the same way. This one concept has truly had one of the greatest impacts on my work over the last year. I hope it causes everyone else to think more intently as well. :)
It makes total sense and I couldn't agree more.
I can see that as a landscape photographer as well. The snapshot happens when you get to a place for the first time and photograph what you first see (usually the big vista). It's only after a few times visiting and having that "conversation" that you get to know the place and start taking more "intimate" shots. Something you can see that others who don't know the place can't.
Completely! It could very well take a handful of conversations before you are able to reach any level of intimacy. In fact I would say this should be anticipated on most levels. Its a nice peace of mind in knowing that revisiting the same places time and time again can offer more than the single visit may. I used to worry if I was a terrible photographer for having to revisit scenes again and again, but I have come to believe it is important to do so. Thanks for sharing buddy!
totally agree well said
The idea of having a tourist level and a friendship level has finally made this idea click with me,
For a while, I have only really half understood the idea but this video has been great and really helpful
Thanks Nick
Hey thanks Garth. I know some of the topics I throw out there can be a tad lofty and difficult to jump aboard at first. Im glad this one ended up working its way around for ya though. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent video. I've been trying to put my finger on why Koudelka's work is just so far beyond what I typically see with other photographers. And it's definitely that intimacy. At least with Gypsies, one of my favorite all time books on photography, he clearly spent a lot of time with those families, and hence took the conversation to a completely different level. Well said.
So true. Mary Ellen Mark was the same way, and in turn has work that pierces into the intimacy of the subjects as well. Time spent in living life with the subject matter, whether people groups, individuals, landscapes, or any other scene, gives a place of being able to tell a story that otherwise goes unrecognized. The nuances, the quirks, the ticks of the subject offers so much more than the facade of the first glance. Thanks for sharing my friend!
Literally bang on. Art should be a conversation.
I love your long-form philosophical vids! :) very interesting.
Thank you so much! Thats very encouraging to hear. Sometimes I wonder if the long videos are well received.
This is really a great presentation Nick. It is very refreshing to hear thoughts on actual photography vs. "gear." So much of the You Tube photography channels are all about the latest gear with very little to say about what actually is important in photography. As times go on this hasn't changed much. I have been a film photographer for roughly 60 years and back then there were endless arguments over Canon vs. Nikon vs. Leica vs. Rolleiflex. Tri-X vs HP5. Then it became B&W vs. color. Now it's Nikon vs. Canon vs. Sony vs. Fuji. So much time and effort wasted over what camera and lens to use. Use what you have and more importantly what you can afford. Don't go into debt over obtaining the latest and greatest. I guarantee that five, perhaps even two or three, years from now the latest and greatest that you have to have now will be old hat and there will be a new latest and greatest. If all you can afford is a $25.00 old film point and shoot at the local yard sale just grab it and go out and start taking photographs. Believe me, you will be able to make photographs with emotion and meaning. Look at the photographs of W. Eugene Smith - e.g. "Minimata" and "The Walk to Paradise Garden." Taken with 35mm B&W film. Yet, when you look at these photos, what "gear" was used doesn't even enter the conversation. The "intimacy with the subject" that you speak of is clear. It would be interesting to have a You Tube channel post submissions of "your favorite photo of all time." It would provide great insight into where photography stands as an art form.
Hey thanks Jerome! I completely agree, although gear is a fun subject to discuss, going into the soul and intimacy of imagery entices me all the more. Seeing a moving image, and having a conversation on these topics is what continues to draw me deeper and deeper into photography. I like that idea of sharing the favorite photo of all time. 🤔
Nick, I think you should keep things the way they are. I know I accidentally click the wrong button on your survey on Instagram about being bored with the channel. I am not bored and enjoy your channel a lot. We cannot be expected to perform at our peak all the time. We are allowed to have mediocre days. Keep is up!
I'm gonna go ahead and say it. Nick Mayo is the Jesus of photography. Every video inspires so much and sparks so many questions in my head about myself and my photography.. Nick, you are something truly unique my friend. I appreciate and support everything you're doing 👊🏽
Hahahaha This makes me chuckle. I really do appreciate the warm comment and encouragement. I will say it is much needed at the moment. Thank you 🙏
This makes perfect senses. Thanks, Nick!
Thank you so much, Matthew! I appreciate the feedback and encouragement!
Late to the party, but I'm a firm believer in "better late than never", always, so ... enjoyed this video Nick, I think it's an interesting way of approaching the subject of really engaging with our photographic subjects. For a long time I think I was photographing in the very casual conversation way, and while some of the photographs were decent in and of themselves, they weren't going anywhere deeper than that surface level. In the past six months I've been really focussing on a couple of different subjects within two projects - and I have some other ideas on the back burners that I want to get into more in the coming months - and the difference has been really noticeable in my photography and how I feel about it. Spending that time with my subject, getting to know it, seeing all the little details and then coming back again and seeing more details has really allowed me to build some bodies of work that I can be happy with. It's been a real lesson for me, and I've been taking photographs for about half my life now. It's a lesson I wish I had learned younger, but better late than never, and hopefully I have plenty more years to apply it to my photography. All the best to you, Nick.
Hey Owain! Sorry for the delay in response (Now I’m late to the party huh? Haha) I’m glad the concept sat well with you and helps in moving forward. I agree, I wish this was something I had started thinking through years ago, it would have helped my work evolve much more and much faster than it has over the years. But as you said, its a tool for the tool belt moving forward. Thanks for the comment and kind words! Cheers
really interesting idea and way of thinking about individual pieces as well as how they can build and say more together- thanks
Thank you, I am glad you connected with it!
You are a quality channel + creator. This is exactly what i needed to hear to take my photography to that next level, thank you! New sub
Great content Nick! Having an intimacy with my image does make the final product more stunning. That's why i keep going back again.
Its something to search and shoot for for sure. Thank you for sharing, Ezekiel! I really appreciate it.
I have been thinking about this idea of conversations between me and my subject matter ever since I have heard Michael Kenna talking about it. Now you made a video about the exact same thing. I have had a hard time using the term "conversation" in this context because I just can't stop thinking about it in terms of words being exchanged. Obviously, this is not happening during photography (except for people photography, of course). But after having watched your video, I think I am beginning to understand this concept. Having a conversation while shooting is about focussing, "listening", waiting for ideas that the subject matter inspires in you, then answering by executing these ideas and at the same time listening to the "response", that is new ideas I might have during the execution of the previous idea. This is at least how I understand the concept and the term. On a side note, the need for using terms like "conversation" in order to understand and communicate our creative process illustrates how elusive this creative process actually is.
Nicely put! Familiarity with a location makes it more intimate and more compelling over time. You learn where to shoot and where to not shoot. Things change from hour to hour, day to day, week to week, month to month, season to season and year to year! It's never truly the same, no matter how many times you walk through an area.
Agreed. I'd also say that knowing a location that well gives you a better understanding of the photos made there. You can tell if that one is a special image or just something ordinary. If that makes sense.
I agree so much with what you are both sharing. A scene always has something fresh and new to offer if we know what to look for. Visiting the same scene over and over makes us familiar with the common, so we know when the uncommon arises just the same. Thanks for sharing guys! I really love this discussion.
Thank you, makes sense.
Great! Im glad to hear that. Thank you for sharing :)
This is one of my favourite topics man - we really need to get this project started we keep talking about ;)
Haha yes we do! We need to get another call on the books either way as well. I miss our deep chats.
such an amazing idea, and one that underpins every great image. thanks!
Thank you so much! Very well said :)
Awesome words here Nick! In particular that bit on just going a little deeper with people. I'm really hoping to get this skill stronger so I can feel that the work I'm making is somewhat compelling. Have you got any projects you're excited to be working on at the moment?
Im so glad to hear this is resonating with you Jack! Thank you for sharing that. And currently Im working on a few bodies of work that I am super pumped about. Its been very interesting slowly making my way through the developing and editing of the NYC work. I still have so much left to develop, and seeing what the conversation with the city has been the first time around, and then knowing I went through the second trip without having seen any of the work from the first time, it should be fun to see how the two threads are connected or disconnected. Also I am currently beginning the initial sequencing of a body of work that has emerged from the past year, focused on a more surreal side of my photography. A dream sequence of sorts. We shall see, I am currently in the discovery process of this discussion within my work. Thanks for asking. How about for you?
I would say there are three possible types of connections that we, as humans can have: 1) The connection between oneself and everything that exists outside of oneself in this world. People, nature, etc. 2) The connection with oneself. Our desires, our body, our mind and on a deeper level, our soul. 3) The connection between oneself and The Creator of the world. There is nothing else to connect to. I believe all these levels you describe, from the superficial to the higher and deep, can be attained in these three "fronts". As photographers, and human beings, we always express these connections and our level of consciousness.
Daniel, I completely agree! I love that you took this levels deeper. I couldn't agree more. How often to we stay surface level with ourselves, and even worse with our Creator? You have given me even more to ponder as I continue on. Thank you so much!
did anyone make a "conversation"-counter?
just kidding, loved the video!
I saw myself being the one having conversations with my scenes. I don't do "fast" shooting almost at all because I mostly go to places where not much moves (like the local forests) and so I find myself interacting with many scenes for a very long time before I eventually fire a shot. Just a few days ago I found this old broken down 6ft tall tree stump that was hollow and real chunks of wood (like right-angled ones) were lying at its foot like they had been in an avalanche or something. the more I got to know this subject the more I knew what I liked about it and what I wanted to portray with a photo I'd make. I have yet to develop the roll but I remember exactly what it felt like being there. And that might also be part of the conversation, that one is still interacting not only with the image but with the subject or the scene in ones mind if it's clear what I'm trying to say.
I wanted to share that because I had to think about this during the video. This was really a good one! Keep it up, stay blessed, brother!
I think that totally makes sense. When we invest in a scene with our conversations we walk away having gotten to know what it is we either photographed or didnt photograph. Whether we took the photo or not may not even matter. I feel every conversation we have informs the next exchange just as well. Thanks for sharing buddy! I seriously appreciate your train of thought here.
totally agree
Well said at 8:55 in, Nick. Lots of good thoughts throughout though too.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate that!
Hi Nick, have you read the book: A conversation with Robert Irwin.. I think you would enjoy it.. And I totally agree with you, conversation and questions are what is pushing me forward and that is a pretty new thing for me as well.. I feel super lucky to have amazing teachers right now that are pushing and questioning my inquiries around my work :)
I have not read the book. When I search it it doesnt seem to come up as a book.
Also, what are the big questions and conversations you are having with your work at the moment? How are you being challenged? Im really curious to hear.
Nick Exposed im being challenged on my view of photography and what it is and can be.. Im slowly moving more conceptual from my very straight forward “this is an image of a person”.. I keep layering and sometimes the straight photograph works other times I live with it for a while till something pops into my head of what its missing to make it feel right.. I still dont know fully what my current project is about, but I know why Im making it, to stay sane. I have found out Im very much a process based artist (also calling myself an artist is sooo new to me) .. the questions Im having with the work is not necessarily what the viewer is going to have, I want to invite the viewer into a space of speculation :)
Hey Nick! Love the vid! Btw, did you announce the winners of the competition yet? I think i somehow missed it...
Hey Cris! I did announce the winners over on instagram, and responded back to their comment on the giveaway vid. I do think in the future a dedicated video needs to be made. I was trying out this format, and I dont think it was my best idea. lol
working the scene = manipulating the scene to your vision, it has nothing to do with grunt work