Photo Talk
I just realized I haven’t posted for almost a week! That’s a record. Besides being busy at work, I really don’t have anything to write about. Shocked? Me too.
Anyway, so the past days I’ve been busy writing short things about “him“ (I emphasize the quotes, and yes that’s a semi-new blog, go visit!), editing websites for work, reading, online training, watching this, going to press conferences, selling tickets, book shopping, working, and doing everything besides posting here. I know, I even missed the second Taste Asia event, but that was because I had dinner with two of my high school friends in Eastwood, and geography won over me there. :P My “blog social life” is dying, I know, but you guys still like me, right? *bats eyelashes* I hope so. I see an average of 7 people online everytime I check my site, so it’s got to be someone. Unless they’re all bots. Boo.
Wait, that’s not what I want to talk about. ADD moment, sorry. Anyway, one of the favorite topics at work is something that I used to do (but not professionally): photography. To those who don’t know, I took up a photography subject back in college which I admit I really liked. I loved being able to take photos, to see good ones come out, to scout places to have photo shoots and whatnot. Somewhere along the way, I lost interest, mainly because it was so expensive. FYI, I own a manual SLR camera (a Nikon FM10, for those who care), and I really liked using it. But let’s face it: film and developing isn’t cheap. I wasn’t that into photography to spend so much money on film, which is why I decided to settle for point and shoot digital cameras instead. Until I stopped taking pictures altogether (I was a docu person back then; I was required to take photos) just because I felt like bringing a camera was burdensome.
But like I said, photography is one of the hot topics at work, and it made me remember my shooting days (if you could call it that). I even dug up my old photography portfolio I passed for this class, saw my old photos and then found this essay I wrote at the end. I just have to laugh at what I wrote:
It’s enough to say that I underestimated the subject. I thought that I would be a “one shot wonder”. I was thinking too highly of myself then, and after a few day sessions at the photo lab, I realized that I took too much pride in myself. I learned how hard, demanding and expensive photography can be. I was forced to think and see outside my normal vision — is this photo telling a story? Is this picture also beautiful in other people’s eyes? Is this picture as good in black and white as it is in colored?
…As of now, I dont’ know if I’m the photographer type. I still like photography, but not as much as I used to before I started…
And then my professor left some comments in response to the last sentence in particular:
Just like photography, becoming one is a process. You’d never know. If you get to talk to professional photographers, you’ll be amazed how they started and ended up being a photographer. Still, patience is a virtue. It will come back…in time. :)
I’ve been thinking about that; about getting back into photography. All these photography talk at work is getting to me, plus the fact that I was surrounded by really awesome cameras a couple of days ago and got to talk to a really awesome photographer (Hi Pia!) whose stories inspired me to try picking up a camera again.
But right now I don’t know. I want to, but I guess I’m kind of afraid to try doing something but not following through. Like investing in a dSLR, in all those lenses and gadgets…it’s not as cheap as an lcd monitor. Then there’s actually bringing the big camera around…and continuously not being in any photos (which I really don’t mind…but I do like being in group photos). What if I get tired of it too soon?
Sorry, thinking aloud. :P
So now I’m torn. Should I get back to it, or should I not? If ever I don’t use the camera, my brother’s going to use it obviously…but somehow, I want to try it again. Take the risk and all that. Maybe I’ll end up liking it more than I used to. Who knows?
A couple of weeks into my new job, I was talking to my team leader, who is a freelance photographer and I told him, “I once dreamed of being a photographer too.” He replied, “Why not make that dream come true?”
Hmm. He has a point. Why not? And, as what my professor told me, it comes back in time. Is this the time? Should I or should I not?
What do you think?
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Thanks po for coming! I like the color of your blog :)