What’s in my bag

Admitted, this is not my typical blog post. Normally Japan Camera Hunter is known for his ‘In your bag‘ posts and recently Ming Thein covered what he was using now. Unlike many bags though there isn’t much really to see in my bag. Just a single camera, one (sometimes two) SD cards. In fact I still only use some older 2Gb cards. And something to remain connected to the outside world and providing some music for the mood and senses.

I don’t need much more for my photography. Simplicity and restrictions. Everything else is just weight which I often find not used at all.

On a different note. You might have noticed the new layout for my blog making it a bit more future proof again. For now the wordpress platform served me well, but I am looking for a more flexible platform though.

Thought(les)s

Almost two weeks passed by since I mentioned that much in my personal life – work related – would change. Knowing that in a year, at most two, I need a new job to support my family and pay the bills it made sense to thing thoroughly about my near future. To what extend could photography help me with that? What other valuable options are available? And what is really my relationship with photography?

I love to work, I need to work. I work hard and I wouldn’t mind working for myself. I am pretty good at what I do and have over 10 years of experience and gained knowledge. It may not be the most beloved job, but I am passionate about working hard. I love my job. It might not be as glamorous, but it allowed me to be a photographer too.

And I love to photograph, I do my best to become better and learn every day. In fact I am very passionate about it. So passionate though that I decided it is not worth it to me to become a professional photographer.

There are over 15 professional photographers in my home town, a town with 65,000 inhabitants. Most of them do weddings, portraits and corporate photography. Probably commercially the most attractive genres, unless everyone tries to succeed there. You need to work really hard to get there. Following your passion won’t make difference.

To me however, that passion drives me. Photography is my personal outlet, my therapy. It helped me when my son was diagnozed autism. It forced me to get out when I was recovering from my back problems. And it will likely help me next year when the going gets tough. That passionate outlet is there for me as a person, not a money maker. For me it is an emotional ride and with that my expectations of quality may vary. Sure I could deliver always, but I don’t want to.

What next though? I want to work on some long term projects covering the region I live in.  Also a lot more urban photographs in the darkness (like these in this blog post). I will for sure do more landscape photography. When I am calm and patient (or in need of) I prefer landscape photography. For anything else I stroll the streets and cover it. Bringing it all together is an amazing feeling. That is what matters to me. And these landscape photographs? They look amazing printed large, especially on someone else’s wall.

Photograph by Wouter Brandsma

Evolve

We learn, we live. We fail, we evolve. We proceed, we evaluate. We feel, we gain. Between the logic there is a light and among us is a lot to share and learn from. When situations change we need to adapt, we simply need too. No matter what situation there is.

In photography learn not only from the great ones, but also those hardly noticed. Each and everyone matters. Visit museums, go to exhibitions (for the Dutch Foam in Amsterdam will exhibit work of William Klein in December), and read. Read books or magazines. For instance the Inspired Eye magazine which some of my friends put together with a lot of labour and love for photography. Go support them, instead of purchasing a new camera or lens.

Due to changes in my personal life I am considering to explore how I maybe can make money with photography. I thought about it more often, but it always came with hesitation and doubt. Am I good enough? Is it possible nowadays to earn enough money to make a living? Or should I start it part-time? What direction should I go? Will I remain passionate about photography? Many things to consider, very little answers to find except for the rational ones. Not everything need to be rationalized though…….

All photographs by Wouter Brandsma

It takes two……

It takes two days, weeks, months, etc. to realize what you want to do. It takes a breath…..or two, to not always be judgmental and opinionated. It takes two years or decades to figure out that not everything needs to be rationalized.

When I hit August and see the colors change I feel the inspiration taking a break too. At least a month or two. Light changes though. That slightly different angle how light illuminates subjects can completely change how I perceive things. Without explanation and hesitation I start to see and feel images again.

The change of the season nearing the end of the year is introduced with longer and deeper shadows. Prettier light too. Just observe the leaves and how light comes filtered through. That light my friend, is what photography is all about. Don’t be bothered with genres and gear, just enjoy that light.

Photograph by Wouter Brandsma

There is nothing in the fridge

“There is so much in the fridge, but I don’t know what to eat.”

There are so many interesting subjects to photograph, but they currently don’t inspire me. I wanted to refuel it with a new photo a day project, but felt unhappy and unconvinced with the first results. I am not there, yet. I do know that the sun rises later and sets earlier. The heath is purple and leaves gradually colorize again. The breeze from the sea already challenges the summer heat and the nights get colder. These changes normally bring back the inspiration. The strolling days are returning.

Photograph by Wouter Brandsma