On the road to becoming a photographer.
I started my photography journey many years ago and have written about this. Therefore, I will not repeat the story. I was a trainee engineer at the time and had little money. So, I started with black & white film and on the streets of Bombay (now called Mumbai).
I knew I must change my lifestyle; photography seemed a pleasant route. My pecuniary circumstances determined my choice of photography genre. Two factors determined my choices. First, the need to escape from my earlier, degenerate lifestyle. Second, my financial constraints. Beyond these two forces, there was nothing else helping determine my first, tentative steps in photography. I had no purpose in photography.
As a side note, if you want to read an excellent book on purpose, read Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning.” You will find my affiliate link in the book’s title.
I was lucky in my decision because I fell in love with street photography and black-and-white photography. While I was determined to become a photographer, I did not dare to give up my tiny company apartment and fling myself into the wild adventure of finding paying guest accommodation in the city. My regular paycheck was an added factor in helping me remain a coward.
Missteps Along The Way
Years later, I left my corporate career and became a photographer. Yet, my ego held me back. I was a CEO in my last corporate position and wondered at people’s reaction if they knew I was now a photographer. Would I fall in their esteem? I asked myself. In truth, no one cared: people consign you to the dustbin of history once you leave your chair. Becoming a photographer demands courage.
I started consulting, but this dried up during the Covid pandemic. During the pandemic, I discovered I was writing more often.
It’s been years since I took my first photograph, but it is now that I am proud to say I am a photographer and storyteller. For me, the joy lies in the nexus between photography and writing.
What drives your choices? For some, it is money. Genres like fashion, beauty, portrait, architecture, product photography, etc., are remunerative fields. But there is no point in entering these genres if you have no talent for them. You will be mediocre and make little or no money.
Many successful photographers in the abovementioned genres spend considerable time on private projects.
Becoming A Photographer. What drives me?
I have done portrait photography and am good in this field. However, it is difficult for me to make money as a portrait photographer because young photographers are out there to undercut my price.
What drives me?
I love shooting people, which I do on the street. Their stories interest me, and I talk with them. I rediscovered my fellow citizens and humans after my corporate career ended.
History fascinates me, as does the culture of food and music. When I do my travel photography and writing, I always put the stories into a historical/cultural context. In addition, I mix in a liberal dose of my opinions.
If you don’t put something of your spirit into your photography and writing, your work will become bland and uninspiring. You must keep searching inside yourself to find what you want to express. Technique without the soul is dead.
I am committed to nature and follow an animistic belief system. While I do not believe in God (I consider religion to be history’s biggest and most successful hoax), I think that nature possesses a divine spark. It is for this reason I do some nature and landscape photography.
You will spend a lifetime on the journey towards becoming a photographer. If you will explore your craft and your motivations, you find that the road towards becoming a photographer yields much joy.
Travel along the road for the joy of discovering yourself. Money will follow.
