all photos (embiggenable)
IT WAS ANSEL ADAMS WHO STATED:
“There are no rules for good photographs. There are only good photographs.”
This quote popped up in my head as a result of my recent entry(s) in which I engaged in the verbal excoriation of some, iMo, boneheaded ideas as expressed by Michael Johnston. In retrospect I have come to realize that the focus of my lambasting, the singling out of M. Johnston, was way too narrow inasmuch as there is a vast universe of boneheaded photo advice bunkum permeating the photo making world…. books, podcasts, workshops, subscription-based blog sites, et al–all created by “experts” who dole out–in exchange for cash on the barrelhead–all manner of how-to drivel, re: the making of “great” photographs.
In an attempt to not sound too cynical / contemptuous, re: these tradesmen-a skilled worker who specializes in a specific trade or craft–do have something of value to offer–the “secrets” to success?–if one’s interest in making pictures falls under the banner of Decorative Art. To be certain, much of the picture making output of these tradesmen can be found on the walls of hospitals, offices, restaurants, homes, and the like. On the walls of Fine Art galleries / institutions, not so much (if at all).
On the other hand, if your picture making intentions veer more toward making Fine Art–keeping in mind that others will be judge of that–there is almost no “expert” advice to be had / found that emanates from sources who toil in that milieu. In my experience that’s cuz very few, if any, photographers who make pictures, which are judged to be Fine Art, can explain / codify how they make their pictures, much less write a how-to manual about it. In most cases, they essentially mutter something on the subject like Paul Strand’s idea that “the answer is on the wall.”
Consider, if you will, Bob Dylan’s utterances, re: the matter of the writing of his music / lyrics; when asked by Ed Bradly in a 2004 60 Minutes interview how he wrote Blowin’ In The Wind, reportedly in 5 minutes, Dylan responded that: “uhh…well.. it, uh, came from…right outa that well-spring of, uh, creativity I would think.” When Bradley went on to press him on the writing of songs like It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding), Dylan said, “Try to sit down and write something like that. There’s a magic to that (he also occasionally referred to it as a “miracle”) and it’s not Sigfried and Roy ya know. It’s a different kind of penetrating magic. And, uh, ya know, I did it at one time.” To which Bradly asked, “You don’t think you can do it today?” Dylan replied, “Unh-uh. Well… you can’t do something forever, and, uh, I did it once and I can do other things now, but, uh, I can’t do that.”
Forgive me for dragging a songwriter into a conversation about advice-giving in the cause of making pictures, but, nevertheless, here’s my point; M. Johnston and many other advice-giving others like him ain’t got no obvious connection to a well-spring of creativity and, most certainly, nor to a different kind of penetrating magic. iMo, it’s obvious cuz you can see the lack thereof in their pictures. So, my advice is to take what they write / say with a grain of salt or, better yet, make that a tablespoon of salt.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for advice, re: the making of good pictures, use your eyes cuz the answer is most likely found / can be seen somewhere on a wall. No words / “expert” advice necessary.