What a beautiful set of photographs, Juliette! I love the way you capture contrasts. Your words are spot on: "When having no goal in mind, one little nudge can lead to another." I gradually learned to pay attention to the tiny questions that float into my mind while working... and allow those questions to drive the direction at that particular moment.
Great article, Juliette. I think I have the opposite problem. I pretty much exclusively go out and shoot whatever with no cohesive through-line or project in mind. I think I need a bit more focus to actually take advantage of all that practice.
Beautiful image, Juliette! I especially love the macro of the flower.
I think many of us gain wisdom as we age that allows those voices in our head to subside so we can simply enjoy ourselves without feeling constant external pressures.
Personally, I find practice to be the center of my photography because it helps me connect more with the world around me. If a project comes out of the work later, that’s just icing on the cake.
There's some superb vintage glass to be had - your images prove it. The last and third from last are my faves. 'Just walking the dog' is pretty much how I roll most of the time, nothing specific planned, just what takes my fancy. You're right, just get out there and keep playing and practicing, when opportunity presents🙂
I kind of see myself more as a happy snapper. My ambitions have pretty much always been pretty low-key, with enjoyment being the most important factor. I did apply for a job as a police photographer once, but I'm kind of glad it never came off. Getting involved at a professional level, I suspect, may have ruined my enthusiasm for it.
I like that, Ralph: "Happy snapper"! Yes, I can attest to the fact that even for me, photographing for anyone else can damper the creative spirit. I don't plan to shoot professionally again. Cheers!
Indeed. Weddings - there’s another thing I swore I’d never do again after my first attempt for a friend, back in my late teens. I’ve relented, but only once since, for another very close friend. But that’s it. Never again! 😱🤯🥵😎😏
A joy to read and some beautiful photos! I have some really nice vintage lenses and the adapters for them to sit on my digital systems. One is full frame and the other APSC, so I get different angles of view dependent upon which system I use.
Agreed, Juliette. We are conditioned to believe that the newest version is always the "best" (whatever "best" actually means. Manufacturers use every trick in the book to get us to persuade ourselves that what we have and enjoy is inferior to their latest offering. Being ultra-sharp and delivering high contrast works for some - but far from all - situations.
Practice always wins. My mentor keeps telling me that if you want to become a good photographer, you have to go out and shoot. That's the most important thing.
Fortunately for me, practice feels like play. I hope it does for you too. 🙂
The Rebecca dual personality is revealing to me: total command behind the viewfinder, total nerves the moment the camera comes down. That tells you where she'd located the value of the whole exercise, in the artefact rather than the act of making it (let's not go into her personal insecurities).
Having a goal isn't only about projects and big things. To me you had a goal walking with your camera and playing with manual focus. You were aiming at (forced) presence (and the mosquito bites are your battle scars, if you need them). That's still a target. It's only invisible from outside the activity, which is presumably why it reads as "nothing" to someone counting projects.
Practice without an outcome is still practice. It just refuses to justify itself to anyone checking for results, which is exactly what Rebecca couldn't bear.
You nailed it, Cedric— thank you so much for reading. I'd also add that it's practice not just without an outcome but without the expectation of an outcome. That's the key. Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful comments!
Totally agree. Don't expect to get somewhere, create something good, or contribute to your body of work all the time. Sometimes you do things expecting them to fail or be meh. But it's hard to change your mindset.
Love the story of Rebecca, we all have someone we look up to and whose knowledge impact our own way of working. I also like how you made these ordinary walks your practice. That lens and the noise frome that sensor have a pretty cool look!
Hi Xavi, thank you so much for the thoughtful comments. As I told someone else, I grew up in a very disciplined environment, so learning to play was a struggle in my early adulthood. The ghost of the 'voices' will always be there but I'm learning to see them for what they are. I agree that I'm loving the combo of the old lens and the MFT sensor!
Oh, I didn't know that. Sorry to read! I can relate, my dad was somewhat strict with me and always insisted on me "adulting up". I hope you're learning to play and enjoy that making mistakes and just going with the flow is perfectly fine.
Oh this is so true - there's nothing like going out with the camera just to play, something I definitely need to find time to do! There's such a beautiful gentle quality to images shot with vintage glass...and these all have that Juliette, gorgeous colours too. Lovely work!
Hi Lin, thank you for the kind comments! I used to gravitate to people like Rebecca and I think that's because I needed to see them in myself and make a choice. It took me most of my adulthood to embrace play and I still struggle sometimes. I'm so glad you like the images!
That lens renders scenes very lovely. I’m glad you put it back in use.
Thank you Alicia, I truly think so too!
I enjoyed reading this and really like the photographs especially the silhouettes Juliette.
Shital, thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the essay and the photos. Silhouettes will always be my 'thing.' :).
Thank you for this - it is sometimes a conflict between needing to create something beautiful and just practicing / creating without intent
And it’s hard to do! Thank you Fran.
Yes, so true: "I don’t have to have a camera in my hand to practice seeing."
I hope Rebecca has learnt to give herself grace. I think that's what practicing is also about.
Hi Manuela. I’m glad you like that line :). I have no idea but I hope she has too!
What a beautiful set of photographs, Juliette! I love the way you capture contrasts. Your words are spot on: "When having no goal in mind, one little nudge can lead to another." I gradually learned to pay attention to the tiny questions that float into my mind while working... and allow those questions to drive the direction at that particular moment.
Exactly Tammy! Those are some of the best photos… thank you for your kind comments!
Nice work Juliette. More than one selfie silhouette. Sneaky.
Thank you! They always seem to find me 😁
Great article, Juliette. I think I have the opposite problem. I pretty much exclusively go out and shoot whatever with no cohesive through-line or project in mind. I think I need a bit more focus to actually take advantage of all that practice.
There’s a balance there, I think 😊
Beautiful image, Juliette! I especially love the macro of the flower.
I think many of us gain wisdom as we age that allows those voices in our head to subside so we can simply enjoy ourselves without feeling constant external pressures.
Personally, I find practice to be the center of my photography because it helps me connect more with the world around me. If a project comes out of the work later, that’s just icing on the cake.
Thank you Todd, you said it. if a project comes out of it, that’s icing on the cake! Staying open to possibilities is key.
There's some superb vintage glass to be had - your images prove it. The last and third from last are my faves. 'Just walking the dog' is pretty much how I roll most of the time, nothing specific planned, just what takes my fancy. You're right, just get out there and keep playing and practicing, when opportunity presents🙂
Thank you Ralph! I’m glad you can relate. Appreciate the kind words and have fun out there!
Thank you!
I kind of see myself more as a happy snapper. My ambitions have pretty much always been pretty low-key, with enjoyment being the most important factor. I did apply for a job as a police photographer once, but I'm kind of glad it never came off. Getting involved at a professional level, I suspect, may have ruined my enthusiasm for it.
I like that, Ralph: "Happy snapper"! Yes, I can attest to the fact that even for me, photographing for anyone else can damper the creative spirit. I don't plan to shoot professionally again. Cheers!
Indeed. Weddings - there’s another thing I swore I’d never do again after my first attempt for a friend, back in my late teens. I’ve relented, but only once since, for another very close friend. But that’s it. Never again! 😱🤯🥵😎😏
Same for me! UGH!
A joy to read and some beautiful photos! I have some really nice vintage lenses and the adapters for them to sit on my digital systems. One is full frame and the other APSC, so I get different angles of view dependent upon which system I use.
Thank you Paul, adaptive lenses are a lot of fun but you have to have the mindset for them, I think.
Agreed, Juliette. We are conditioned to believe that the newest version is always the "best" (whatever "best" actually means. Manufacturers use every trick in the book to get us to persuade ourselves that what we have and enjoy is inferior to their latest offering. Being ultra-sharp and delivering high contrast works for some - but far from all - situations.
Rebecca sounds tiring!
Ha! Well, but I am grateful to her though. I learned a lot.
Practice always wins. My mentor keeps telling me that if you want to become a good photographer, you have to go out and shoot. That's the most important thing.
Fortunately for me, practice feels like play. I hope it does for you too. 🙂
Great advice, Davor. Yes, I grew up in a very disciplined world, so I had to learn to play, but I have come a long way! Thank you for reading.
It was a pleasure to read, Juliette. Stay well.
You too, Davor 😊
The Rebecca dual personality is revealing to me: total command behind the viewfinder, total nerves the moment the camera comes down. That tells you where she'd located the value of the whole exercise, in the artefact rather than the act of making it (let's not go into her personal insecurities).
Having a goal isn't only about projects and big things. To me you had a goal walking with your camera and playing with manual focus. You were aiming at (forced) presence (and the mosquito bites are your battle scars, if you need them). That's still a target. It's only invisible from outside the activity, which is presumably why it reads as "nothing" to someone counting projects.
Practice without an outcome is still practice. It just refuses to justify itself to anyone checking for results, which is exactly what Rebecca couldn't bear.
You nailed it, Cedric— thank you so much for reading. I'd also add that it's practice not just without an outcome but without the expectation of an outcome. That's the key. Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful comments!
Totally agree. Don't expect to get somewhere, create something good, or contribute to your body of work all the time. Sometimes you do things expecting them to fail or be meh. But it's hard to change your mindset.
Love the story of Rebecca, we all have someone we look up to and whose knowledge impact our own way of working. I also like how you made these ordinary walks your practice. That lens and the noise frome that sensor have a pretty cool look!
Hi Xavi, thank you so much for the thoughtful comments. As I told someone else, I grew up in a very disciplined environment, so learning to play was a struggle in my early adulthood. The ghost of the 'voices' will always be there but I'm learning to see them for what they are. I agree that I'm loving the combo of the old lens and the MFT sensor!
Oh, I didn't know that. Sorry to read! I can relate, my dad was somewhat strict with me and always insisted on me "adulting up". I hope you're learning to play and enjoy that making mistakes and just going with the flow is perfectly fine.
Yes! Thank goodness, I'm finally there. :) But it doesn't mean I don't still hear those old voices. I'm just dealing with them gently.
Oh this is so true - there's nothing like going out with the camera just to play, something I definitely need to find time to do! There's such a beautiful gentle quality to images shot with vintage glass...and these all have that Juliette, gorgeous colours too. Lovely work!
Hi Lin, thank you for the kind comments! I used to gravitate to people like Rebecca and I think that's because I needed to see them in myself and make a choice. It took me most of my adulthood to embrace play and I still struggle sometimes. I'm so glad you like the images!
such a masterful approach to details, as usual. Happy Sunday, Juliette!
Oh, thank you so much Crina. Happy Sunday to you!