How has photography changed the way you engage the world beyond your work?

[ohnewton35]

Hello,

My name is Omari, a photographer and industrial designer based in Atlanta, GA. Design constitutes a large portion of my life and has greatly affected the way that I think about the world around me and problems I face. Because of this I've become curious as to how other's passions and professions have affected the way that they engage the world around them beyond their work. I would love to get a few responses and encourage you to highlight any of the passions or professions you feel have most drastically affected your worldview and thinking process.

 

[cliveh]

Creative thought within virtually any subject.

 

[ohnewton35]

Creative thought within virtually any subject.

Creativity has been defined by so many people in different ways. How would you say you employ creativity to a problem? For instance I feel that as a designer I see the world as interactions between systems and as a result I approach problems in the same systematic process I approach design projects.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Since I have been taking photographs since I was ten years old, I seriously doubt that one could prove that theory either way for me.

 

[ohnewton35]

Since I have been taking photographs since I was ten years old, I seriously doubt that one could prove that theory either way for me.

So would you see because you've been a photographer so long that you are more aware of your surroundings? Does photographer's eye catch you at odd times? I find that photography in particular is one of the more changing passions to have because with the democratization of photographic equipment people are really forced to ask themselves what it is they want to show the world if they wish to set themselves apart. Whats do you see beauty in that everyone else might tae for granted and keep going about their day?

 

[Sirius Glass]

I always remember myself as very observant even before I got my first camera.

 

[dpurdy]

I have learned to read backwards pretty well, and upside down.

 

[ohnewton35]

Omari,
the most interesting question, the one with the most potential of the month, BUT it is
like asking people at Popeyes, or Burger Burger, if they think that vegans have a better life experience.

playing aperture, aperture, little star, how do I calculate what you are… isn’t getting anyone past their first steps.

Photography isn’t the ring around the lens, nor the chemical in the bottle, even though playing ring around the lens is comforting and so easy.

I have to disagree. Since I became a photographer I feel that I've become alot more observant of my surroundings. In particular I consider myself a street photographer and because of that inwardly made distinction I make it a priority to always be attentive of my surroundings when so much as walking to the bus stop. Design is a bit different. Because of design I see the world as an interaction of people with systems. That has lead me to see the world alot more mechanically and approach problems through the same process I use when I am designing new things. As such I'm considering more than just how something looks but how people interact with it, what their expectation for how something should work are, and what they want the object to actually do. Questions as simple as, 'what is comfort' intrigue me. Pair this with extremely observational lifestyle and you've got someone who is forever curious yet intentional.

 

[Dali]

You wrote "I have to disagree."

What make you think that your experience is universal and people could not have a different point of view?

Back to your original question, my answer would be : No. Put literature instead of photography and my answer would be : Yes.

 

[ohnewton35]

Well that's exactly my point. It's not universal. My view continues to change as I encounter new problems, methods and people. I mentioned my own worldview to show how two passions have facilitated a worldview- not to insinuate that others should also share mine. Whether it's photography or literature both are forms of expression and communication. I don't see how one could develop a worldview from literature and not through the actions which govern his daily activity and it is for this reason that I am inclined to say that someone working for NASA as a nuclear scientist likely has a different way of approaching new problems and exploring the world than myself or any other person with passions and a profession.

 

[Dali]

I see what you mean but it is true for any activity, not specific to photography. So what is your question? It is not very clear (or at least I don't understand your point) as the title makes reference to photography but your comments are related to hobbies and professional activities...

 

[ohnewton35]

I will admit to having been looking for most any profession or passion but made the assumption that because I directed it to APUG that I would be speaking to an audience whose predominant answer would be photography based. The question extends to any activity. Perhaps I could've been more clear.

 

[vladislav]

... So what is your question? It is not very clear (or at least I don't understand your point) as the title makes reference to photography but your comments are related to hobbies and professional activities...

I find Omari's question to be thought provoking, therefore interesting.
Preciseness of the question, in my view, should not always be a 'necessary' ingredient to engage into thoughtful conversation, as long as parties are looking to converse.

Photography is the only, supposedly non-gear, interest that I have. Where, I believe, I can express my internal artistic-self for others to see.
I cannot sing, draw, dance, etc. I like structure, preparation, symmetry and efficient knowledge-to-result process.

I have to admit, however, that I mostly diminished my desire for photography for the art, replacing it with accumulating gear, and reading books and forums.
So if anything, photography is teaching me that I have long way to go to improve and to expand my horizons.
It helps me at work, in the sense, that it adds to already growing list of my imperfection, and aspirations to improve.

 

[Dali]

Good for you.

 

[Vaughn]

While I did spend 12 years as a mule packer/wilderness ranger sort of dude, the last 40 years has been learning to see/photograph and helping people learn photography. I do not separate my art and practice of photography from living.

 

[Bob Carnie]

Photographic Printmaking has consumed my every day and my wife and I have centered our lives around making prints.
I do not know what weekends are and am very happy for that and have gone off the grid so to speak once I leave my lab.
We have a daily ritual that would seem like a workaholic obsession but for us its quite natural and rarely do we get sidetracked with the huge city that surrounds us.

 

[Alan Klein]

I don't know if I'm more creative. But I notice things around me more including the light how it plays on things. Of course, when it's good, I don't have my camera with me.

 

[tomfrh]

But I notice things around me more including the light how it plays on things. Of course, when it's good, I don't have my camera with me.

Yes I'm a much better judge of light now. That's the main difference for me.

It's annoying not having a camera in good light, but even so I'm grateful for being able to see it now, when previously I was rather oblivious to it.

 

[Ai Print]

Wow...so many things I have become, seen and experienced in my career as a photographer. Maybe too many to consider at the moment so I will lay out the most recent one.

A client and I had a lifestyle ad shoot planned for last night. At about noon she asked me what I thought about the weather. I said I had a feeling we would need to cancel until next week due to rain.

She insisted that we should be fine as it looked nice out. I have become somewhat good at forecasting weather that can hose an expensive shoot like this in which there is often thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars on the hook in production, styling, transport and talent costs not to mention my rate.

The art director said she trusted me but wanted to wait until 3PM to call it off for sure, I agreed, the shoot time was arrive at 5, shoot at 6 until dusk. So at three, she thought we ought to go ahead since it still looked nice and clouds / rain were a ways off. I knew better and said I am almost certain we need to call this shoot.

Reluctantly, she gave in and we called it. Last night was the most rain we have had in 40 days. It poured over the site of the shoot for hours and with such vigor that it closed a road nearby due to a mudslide.

I think I saved these folks along the lines of $6,000 in not wasted production costs.