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12/01/2005 09:53:46 AM · #1 |
I was having a discussion about a similar topic the other day with my daughter. She is a freshman in college majoring in creative writing and I (being a communication major) told her that the inability to take chances or "fear" was going to be her biggest obstacle in creative endeavors.
Peer pressure, inability to speak to strangers, fear of failure, comfort zones, competitive fever, and a million other things get in the way.
So..I wonder...how many of you feel that fear (Fear of low scores, fear of failure, fear of talking to strangers, fear of breaking rules and boundaries, etc, etc) affects the way you approach photography and the types of photos you enter here?
To start everyone off, I definitely feel my competitive nature (and fear of failure) has often conflicted directly with with just letting it (whatever it may be at the time) just happen without regard for what others think. Years ago that would mean safe photographs, attention to focus, properly exposed. To fight that today I look more at shapes, contrast and how the photograph relates to the moment more than technical stuff (or at least I try to) :-/
Message edited by author 2005-12-01 19:33:25.
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12/01/2005 09:58:10 AM · #2 |
Iv gotten a few models in the past from OMP, but when they went to a payment requirement system, I dropped out. My main model is my exwife.
I can say, that I have not been able to get any models in about a year (Ok, little lie, a friend of mine requested services and I accepted in augest, but it was not me going after it). I see several people id like to ask, but I refuse to ask out of fear of what they may say. Some people say just ask, but im not that open. Iv thought about asking the ex, but I can hear it now, LOL.
So yes, fear does play a huge role in my photography, after getting out of model photography, I started wildlife and nature.
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12/01/2005 10:10:28 AM · #3 |
Thanks for your post!
I totally forgot the fear of getting models for nudes and stuff!
I am around a lot of fantastic looking women who model clothes or jewelry but it has been years since I actively sought someone for a nude session.
Part of the fear is being so careful not to let my personal photography get in the way of my professional day job where my clients are very corporate.
The other part is my wife! She would never pose herself and she freaks out everytime I even hint about going to my friend (who runs an exotic night club in a major metro city) and shooting publicity photos for her dancers.
She doesn't know about my current nude photo sessions and I, frankly, am very nervous about her seeing my recent shoot of a dancer we both know <:-O
This really gets in the way of some really good money :-/
Message edited by author 2005-12-01 10:11:18. |
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12/01/2005 10:26:28 AM · #4 |
Hokie,
To me there are two separate issues at play in the broad categories of fears you have mentioned, in my opinion.
Worrying what others think, worrying about failure, worrying about breaking rules or boundaries, worrying about the effect of our personal lifestyle choices on our careers - are all symptoms of a society in which conformity is sometimes valued over creativity and uniqueness. Most of us suffer from these kinds of fears to one extent or other. How much so ties in to our confidence levels and personality.
I'm generally less affected (though I can't say not at all) by these kinds of fears as, although I'm still the kind of person who wants people to like/ appreciate/ admire me/ my skills I am at the same time the kind of person who usually doesn't care what people think. I don't follow fashion. I am not embarassed about my opinions, preferences and hobbies. I even enjoy being considered to be a little eccentric at times.
The other fear you have mentioned - fear of your wife's reaction - is something else entirely to my mind. This one is not so much about fear itself but about the kind of relationship you both share. I hesitate to comment much on this area for fear of giving offence (see, I have my fears too) but it strikes me that a key element of a strong relationship is trust and your wife's reactions strike me as displaying a slight lack of it. Her fears, centering on her own insecurities or belief, are being projected onto you and affecting your choices. Now, we all make compromises, voluntarily, for the comfort and happiness of our partners but, and this is just my personal opinion, partners who are truly mutually supportive should surely encourage and support their partner's creative endeavours rather than stifle them?
There you go, I've probably offended you anyway.
If so my apologies, and wishing you bestest in your creative pursuits.
EDIT: Can't bear my own typos!
Message edited by author 2005-12-01 11:24:53.
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12/01/2005 10:35:49 AM · #5 |
I don't know if i'd say fear, but lack of confidence. perhaps that is the same thing?
I have recently begun to try and make money at this 'hobby', and to do so i've had to show my images to coworkers and strangers - and i suppose there is fear in that regarding their reaction. of course friends and family like my work, or at least say so. These other folks have no vested interest in my feelings. But then they have no knowledge of my lack of training, experience, etc.
I have great confidence now, or at least more of it, and the fear is subsiding. I have yet to walk up to a stranger and ask for a picture... i guess that will be the next 'fear' to conquer.
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12/01/2005 10:43:58 AM · #6 |
I think we all have fears. Some of us are more afflicted than others tho.
I love to shoot candids but I have a fear of people thinking I am some kind of freak or pervert when in a public place. I have the same problem even with people I know but not as bad.
I too have a wife that does not totally support my photographic endeavors. I have to agree with Kavey in that "but it strikes me that a key element of a strong relationship is trust and your wife's reactions strike me as displaying a slight lack of it. Her fears, centering on her own insecurities or belief, are being projected onto you and affecting your choices. Now, we all make compromises, voluntarily, for the comfort and happiness of our partners but, and this is just my personal opinion, partners who are truly mutually supportive should surely encourage and support their partner's creative endeavours rather than stifle them?"
My wife thinks I spend too much time on my love for photography and the computer (I am addicted to this site especially) even tho I make sure that everyone's needs are taken care of befor mine and it kind of tears me apart but to keep the peace I try to appease her. I feel that if I had her overall support I could do much better.
It's kind of funny tho when the check comes in for $1,800 for a job that took me about 20 hours of my spare time.
I'm hoping that as I get older and I get to the point where I don't care if I wear plaids with stipes I am still able to see clearly and maybe won't care so much what people think about what and where I choose to shoot.
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12/01/2005 10:51:44 AM · #7 |
Way to go, Scott, you picked a great topic for discussion.
I've been having a similar discussion with one of the members already. I think not only fear, but all of our emotions play strongly into our work. I'm manic/depressive and I can tell how my cycles effect not only what I do, but how I interpret others work.
One can be either passive or aggressive in response to our emotions. You can let your feelings dominant your work, or try to influence your feelings through creativity, doing things that change how you feel. Both ways can lead to powerful expressions.
We all work under social constraints. If one examines the history of art, you can readily identify the social, political and theological influences. Granted this is a much grander scale than 'my wife won't let me shoot other women', but its the same idea.
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12/01/2005 10:53:04 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by Kavey:
Her fears, centering on her own insecurities or belief, are being projected onto you and affecting your choices. Now, we all make compromises, voluntarily, for the comfort and happiness of our partners but, and this is just my personal opinion, partners who are truly mutually supportive should surely encourage and support their partner's creative endeavours rather than stifle them?
There you go, I've probably offended you anyway.
If so my apologies, and wishing you bestest in your creative pursuits. |
I agree with you and no offense taken :-D
The situation with my wife and I ( and many others may share this) is our approach to what we consider prudent and socially acceptable.
I am a toned-down, counter-culture, one-step-from-being-stripped-searched-by-the-feds, contrarian that looks like I work for the feds :-D Think G. Gordon Liddy with a Virginia accent <:-O
My wife ..think Katie Couric from the Today Show >:D
My daughter may be scarred for life.
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12/01/2005 10:55:17 AM · #9 |
i am more afraid of succeeding than i am of failing.
failing is easy--you don't even have to try, and you can fail.
on the other hand, success means you have to keep on succeeding.
you can fail just by doing what everybody else does that fails.
if you succeed, you have to keep on finding news ways to stay successful.
you have to keep on pushing yourself harder and farther.
you have to keep raising the bar.
you can't take a break.
you can always find support and comfort when you fail.
when you succeed, everybody's gunning for you.
success brings a lot more responsibilities and burdens than failure. |
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12/01/2005 10:55:30 AM · #10 |
Hey, get you an account at myspace.com ... it's been a good place to find models for me. When I find a girl I like the looks of I add her to my friends list. I kinda let them get to know what I'm like through posting bulletins and such and just leaving little comments on her photos. Then, if I'd like to use her for a photoshoot, I simply ask in a nice and flattering way.
Originally posted by steveh552:
Iv gotten a few models in the past from OMP, but when they went to a payment requirement system, I dropped out. My main model is my exwife.
I can say, that I have not been able to get any models in about a year (Ok, little lie, a friend of mine requested services and I accepted in augest, but it was not me going after it). I see several people id like to ask, but I refuse to ask out of fear of what they may say. Some people say just ask, but im not that open. Iv thought about asking the ex, but I can hear it now, LOL.
So yes, fear does play a huge role in my photography, after getting out of model photography, I started wildlife and nature. |
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12/01/2005 11:00:35 AM · #11 |
i don't think i could bring up the thought of 'nude' in my house
(the one "odd" shot i did was labeled disturbed & hinted it would not be advisable to do more ...)
i do fear taking candids and some times even taking the camera out of the bag ...
at my works new location we have a bunch of blank walls - yesterday i brought in pictures to hang (11x14's B&W abstracts) but it took me all day to get the guts to put them up (i din't ask for permission ..) now that they are up - i've been asked for more ....
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12/01/2005 11:06:24 AM · #12 |
Definitely!!! Fear lurks in the most unimaginable corners of our minds!!
In my case it affects my photography big time, but I try to discover each fear and try to overcome it individually.
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12/01/2005 11:31:17 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by hokie:
The situation with my wife and I ( and many others may share this) is our approach to what we consider prudent and socially acceptable. |
At the end of the day, if it works for both of you, then it is surely the right solution in your individual case. :o)
Originally posted by hokie:
Think G. Gordon Liddy with a Virginia accent <:-O
My wife ..think Katie Couric from the Today Show >:D |
Being a Brit I don't know either of those two examples... I'm getting who you are (and already had that picture of you anyways) but you'll have to find another way of describing the Mrs!
:o)
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12/01/2005 11:40:41 AM · #14 |
Interesting subject. I have entered numerous challenges. I fear nothing from folks I really do not know.
Personally, I don't think folks on DPC care that much how bad you do. But, we will support your learning and trying new things.
So, enter, have fun, forget your scores, try new stuff, and learn as much as you can. If you want to see a fearless portfolio, look at mine. Its off-the-wall most of the time, but I'm still learning to do new things, not just from just shooting my real interests (landscape and wildlife). FYI, not interested in nudes, except babied and blue lizards. |
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12/01/2005 11:44:54 AM · #15 |
| I only have a fear of heights which will prevent me from balancing precariously from tall places to get a shot I'd love to have :) |
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12/01/2005 11:47:46 AM · #16 |
Definitely. I have social phobia, and find it difficult just to be seen with a camera in public, let alone be seen using it. It can be extremely annoying and frustrating. For example, I went to New Orleans for a conference a month or so before Katrina hit--I brought my camera with me, but didn't take a single picture when I was there, which I sorely regret.
I find it helps if I'm with someone who I'm comfortable with and who also has a camera. And the one time I was able to go out alone in public and shoot without feeling anxious or inhibited was when it was night and I had a wide-brim hat on. For some reason knowing that nobody would be able to recognize me helped. (Even though nobody there knew me--fear isn't exactly the most logical emotion.)
Anyway, thanks for bringing this up. It's comforting knowing that I'm not alone in this.
Nordlys |
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12/01/2005 11:59:06 AM · #17 |
Originally posted by Nordlys:
Definitely. I have social phobia, and find it difficult just to be seen with a camera in public, let alone be seen using it. |
Ditto, your definately not alone in this..
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12/01/2005 12:03:41 PM · #18 |
Taking my camera with me pretty much everywhere has worked the other way around for me. I fear a lot less now. For example, I used to be very afraid of heights, and of going close to edges (like in mountains), or waterfalls, and now it's a piece of cake as long as I have my camera with me.
I'm hoping the same thing happens when I get around to making pictures of people.
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12/01/2005 12:19:27 PM · #19 |
i was reading as nikon add the other day and it told me this-
"Nothing strikes fear into the heart of a Nikon Pro."
but i'm not a pro....>cries and wets his bed<
no but really...it can help and hurt fear. i am more afraid of getting mugged in chicago when i have my camera with me....but less afraid of risking my life for a photo. example...- running into the middle of a street laying down (and protesting the war) lol sorry- laying down and taking a shot through moving trafic. or something to that affect.
i also find it easer to talk to some random stranger and ask them if i could take their picture....that of corse is since i got the D70 with my old camera i would just look like a creep now it looks less creepy and more semi pro. i think
really i don't know wether it helps me with fear or if it gives me a little added confidence.....and the fear is still there....
_bran(i have always been afraid of hights, so i took up climbing and i'm not afraid any more...i've gone up 30 feet without a rope and 80feet with....its fun as h*ll-just face em and they get alot smaller)do_
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12/01/2005 12:23:55 PM · #20 |
Yes. My fear of invading others' privacy keeps me from shooting candids and street photos.
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12/01/2005 12:32:35 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by skiprow:
i am more afraid of succeeding than i am of failing.
failing is easy--you don't even have to try, and you can fail.
on the other hand, success means you have to keep on succeeding.
you can fail just by doing what everybody else does that fails.
if you succeed, you have to keep on finding news ways to stay successful.
you have to keep on pushing yourself harder and farther.
you have to keep raising the bar.
you can't take a break.
you can always find support and comfort when you fail.
when you succeed, everybody's gunning for you.
success brings a lot more responsibilities and burdens than failure. |
GREAT post! Did you write this or is it a quote by someone else? It's very interesting!
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12/01/2005 12:38:38 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by skiprow:
success brings a lot more responsibilities and burdens than failure. |
At last! Now I can quite happily choose 'failure' without feeling guilty... :) |
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12/01/2005 12:39:51 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by Kavey:
Originally posted by skiprow:
i am more afraid of succeeding than i am of failing.
failing is easy--you don't even have to try, and you can fail.
on the other hand, success means you have to keep on succeeding.
you can fail just by doing what everybody else does that fails.
if you succeed, you have to keep on finding news ways to stay successful.
you have to keep on pushing yourself harder and farther.
you have to keep raising the bar.
you can't take a break.
you can always find support and comfort when you fail.
when you succeed, everybody's gunning for you.
success brings a lot more responsibilities and burdens than failure. |
GREAT post! Did you write this or is it a quote by someone else? It's very interesting! |
thanks, kavey! i wrote it, but it was inspired by both experience and exposure to other similar ideas.
Originally posted by jhonan:
Originally posted by skiprow:
success brings a lot more responsibilities and burdens than failure. |
At last! Now I can quite happily choose 'failure' without feeling guilty... :) |
exactly! there's safety in numbers ;-)
Message edited by author 2005-12-01 12:41:37. |
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12/01/2005 12:41:54 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by Kavey:
Originally posted by skiprow:
i am more afraid of succeeding than i am of failing.
failing is easy--you don't even have to try, and you can fail.
on the other hand, success means you have to keep on succeeding.
you can fail just by doing what everybody else does that fails.
if you succeed, you have to keep on finding news ways to stay successful.
you have to keep on pushing yourself harder and farther.
you have to keep raising the bar.
you can't take a break.
you can always find support and comfort when you fail.
when you succeed, everybody's gunning for you.
success brings a lot more responsibilities and burdens than failure. |
GREAT post! Did you write this or is it a quote by someone else? It's very interesting! |
This is so true .... I've had a good amount of successes this year, and to a degree they keep gettin a little scarier. I've had to get more comfortable with portraiture (which i never liked too much) for my class, and well shooting for a paper puts you out of your comfort zone for sure. Especially shooting feature photos (where you shoot the photo, then have to go talk to the random people and ask them all their information).
And now I'm gonna be photo editor of this paper next semester, and to be honest I don't know what I'm getting myself into, I'm pretty intimidated by the whole thing. Of course I know some things I want to change and request of my staff, but all in all, I'm not even a journalism major and have a lot to learn about the workings of a newspaper. Gahh!
I recently turned down a 200$ offer to shoot an event, and intimidation had a big part in the decision. I also don't like shooting events and have a ton of school work to do...but that wasnt the whole reason.
this is a good thread. |
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12/01/2005 12:55:50 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by skiprow:
Originally posted by Kavey:
Originally posted by skiprow:
success means you have to keep on succeeding |
GREAT post! Did you write this or is it a quote by someone else? It's very interesting! |
thanks, kavey! i wrote it, but it was inspired by both experience and exposure to other similar ideas. |
May I keep a copy and may I quote you, provided I give credit?
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