Academics.
When people learn or hear that I have gone to school (& currently) for photography, the question is always, “So school or self-taught, where do you stand or what are your thoughts?”
Tough question because there are just so many layers to it; but this semester gave me yet another reason to be in favor of it (it has its moments).
This semester I am taking (basically done, 2 weeks left) a portraiture class. I would say mainly to have access and really force myself into the studio setting. As primarily a street and travel photographer, I don’t tend to invest to much time into the studio, and if I do portraits, they tend to be on the spot in the streets, so more environmental.
ok, you get the idea. Let’s share some pics; I’ll explain as I go.
Why did I say I am in favor of academics/school taught? Well, here is a good example: we are given assignments, and that can be what pushes you to push yourself. It permits you to step outside of your “lane”. Let me break that down a little better and speak from my own experience. I have been on this journey of photography and always ask myself what it means to me and what I hope to accomplish within it. And along the way I struggled with the idea that until I get known for something that I shouldn’t stray to far from a certain “look”.
At times, I may have identified the “look,” as film vs. digital, black and white vs. color, travel vs. street… and the list goes on. Because of this, I always thought about what I was showcasing and how I represented myself. Even though, if you follow me at all through these years, you will know that I always keep moving the target.
So, getting back to this class and the images you have seen so far. Number one, it’s not my typical street or what I call travel. It's staged, of course, and a different kind of storytelling. So it allowed me to flex these muscles and truly experiment. But even better, if you study photography or have a good sense of the history of photography, then you will know that these images were inspired by one of the greats.
Helmut Newton. This assignment was to shoot “In the style of..” and you picked a portrait photographer you wanted to try to emulate. Truth be told, I picked Platon, but someone else had already picked him, so my professor wanted to push me and suggested (chose) Helmut Newton. So I got to study his work, and learn and, most importantly, push myself yet again.
There are so many more images to this set, and I already have ideas of where they will live and their place in my archives.
So my final thoughts on the question of academics or self-taught? I believe school is for someone who needs structure and needs clear direction and hands-on help along the way. Self-taught; for those who are wild cards and are ok with picking and choosing what to learn and when. That way wouldn’t work for me because I like having a solid foundation and knowing I am not missing steps.
I love being back in school & I have to admit… I am already working on the next set, and I am loving this new time in my photographic journey.
Special Thanks to Sammie, Richard & Nic (not in this set)
-John
