Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Name Dropping

No. Not name dropping in the usual sense of dropping the name of a famous person you know just so people think a certain way about you. Name dropping in a way that makes you appear informed about whatever topic it is at that moment.

I was talking to a guy recently, and his wive had just asked me to help them do their annual family portrait. To be fair, I have no idea what this guy does for a living, nor do I know how much he knows about photography. Although, something he said sparked a question, or rather a statement, inside my head that had been ringing for the past week.

He asked me if I knew a certain photographer, a famous international photographer, and if I've seen his work. I bluntly said "Nope, dunno who that is" and he looked at me as if I didn't know how to work a camera.

I have no idea about other industries and who their big wigs are, but I know for sure that one thing about photography (As far as I know, cos I really don't know all that much) is that there are a million photographers out there. Good ones, Average ones, and yes, the occasional Bad ones.

As an aspiring photographer, I have never found it necessary to know who's who in the industry. I have always just happen to chance upon someones work and admired it. That is the extent of my knowledge of people who take pictures for a living.

I mean there are tons of bloody good photographers out there who really know their stuff and produce really inspiring work, but I don't see how having heard of a certain photographer makes you any better a photographer. This is unless of course, you have a certain niche, or style, that appeals to you and you spend your time analyzing work by a certain pro to help with your work.

To help better myself, this is where I go:

To admire work, this is where I go:


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