Simplicity vs. Clutter
Most photographers know the basics of composition involve simplicity, balance and lines that portray a clear direction and intent. If we can apply this to our photography, why is it so difficult in life?
A few months ago I was pondering this quote from Steve Jobs:
“Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
That may seem a cliché that we’ve all heard many times before, the sort of thing said to many people leaving school or university (Jobs was addressing students at Stanford University when he said this) . The irony is, of course, that it’s probably the worst time in anyone’s life to try and get that message across. At the age of 21 the invincibility of youth means we probably all believe that whatever we end up doing will be successful and our lives happy. Either that or we simply have no idea what we want to become so it’s pointless trying to work out what is primary or secondary.
At some point in life we all do come to realise what that “thing” is. But all too often, by the time we have acquired that wisdom we have also acquired a marriage, mortgage, children and all the duty and guilt associated with being an adult. Having the courage to say “Following my heart is now more important than all those things” is really rather a gigantic leap of faith and one that can’t help but feel very selfish.
At the age of 37 I’m at this point in my life and have summoned the courage to make the changes I hope will allow me to have a more fulfilled life. So I quit my job. Just like that. It’s a liberating feeling! Because, whatever I manage to achieve from now on, I don’t want it to be about work from 9-5 with 20 days holiday a year. I won’t necessarily be any richer but I doubt I’ll be much poorer.
I love where I live (above is a photo taken outside my front door) and when the light is beautiful of a morning I want the choice to say “work can wait” and be able to have that experience anytime, not just on 20 pre-arranged days a year. For me, that is an honest life, it’s where I belong and it’s what I want my daughter to learn from me if nothing else.
Like a great photo, I hope it’s the simple recipe for a great life.
I love taking photos. However, there’s an investment for equipment in order to take good pictures. So, I’ll practice while saving for those equipment. The only thing I can invest is my time.
Nicolas, I learnt a long time ago that better equipment doesn’t mean you will suddenly take good photos. Definitely keep practicing, that will help you far more!
At 50 it’s a bit late I knew the responsibilities of parenthood and now’s not the time to follow my dreams – it’s still 9-5 for me and tyne odd moments I get to my self and photography!
A very inspiring blog post, and thank you for sharing!
I am in the same boat and hope to be making the same choices very soon.
Hope only the best for you for the future!
Riaan (@nkwephotography)
Sounds nice but it’s not!
I very much appreciate to live your dream. Nothing else will do at the very end. But quiting your job to become a togger is not the best way to go, way to risky.
Most people who whish to sell photos don’t have the faintest clue on photography, even less on the business, pardon my french. That’s no problem, you can learn. But you must have proven your ability to bite a lot of bullets. And be very endurant.
Starting a photography business is not about making photos in the first place but about marketing. And more often than not you will find that mediocre toggers got the job and delivered boring stuff but were superb promoters. Can you cope with that?
To pursue photography is one of the most fascinating way of living for me. But you can destroy all your joy making a business hell out of it.
Even though the possibilities are by far waster for a freelancer today, the competion is as tough as been never before.
If you find the time to do two jobs at the same time, say slide constantly into the photography business and keep your bread and butter job going then you will be fit for the challenge. Because a challenge and constant hard work it will be for the rest of your days as a photographer.
It’s worth it, but don’t fool yourself with dreamy expectations if you’re not ready.
I have to second Christian – being a photographer and make a living is more about knowing how to run a business, understanding marketing and being a salesperson than it is about photographing. Photography is only the product.
That said, I believe there are more opportunities for photographers now than ever before.
Congratulations on living your dream life. Beautiful work.