Lasting in Photography Means Building your Photographic Structure

Antelope Canyon en noir et blanc. Une collection intemporelle de photographies de paysages en noir et blanc.

Antelope Canyon in black and white. A timeless fine art collection of landscapes in black and white.

Key 4: Have a Real Photographic Consciousness

Photographic consciousness is your ability to know where you stand in relation to other photographers. I am not talking about the relationship level or ranking in comparison, rather, I am discussing the relationship attributes of creativity. Saying that you are better or worse than another photographer makes no sense. The scale of value represents nothing in art. Indeed, you can create photographs that are interesting and exciting for a certain audience, and with that same collection, bore another audience. You must find your people who appreciate you.

You must know how to find yourself on the photographic chessboard. When you have defined a circle of people who make up your audience, you will gain self-confidence. You know that you represent something for certain people.

Key 5: Know How to Build and Solidify Your Photographic Structure

The photographic structure is an expression that I created to develop my ACANP method.

ACANP is a methodology which I use to animate my nature photography courses.

I teach the participants in my workshops to build, develop, and consolidate their own photographic structure. ACANP is made up of a set of elements which are linked together.

I will not discuss all the elements that constitute ACANP because it would take too long and be irrelevant for this article. Instead, I will consider how a photographer masters his compositions and his framing to fluently write in the photographic language. Likewise, it is essential that a photographer master the theory of photographic elements.

As I often say, “one lifetime is not enough to learn and master photography.” Each new technique and theme that is mastered is a manifestation of personal growth and learning. This process begins with the dawn of each day.

If you ever have the chance to participate in one of my courses, you will see the construction of your photographic building in more depth.

Key 6: Have a General Sense of Culture

If you want to create interesting photographs of nature, you must have a general sense of culture.

You must be interested in the world around you. Indeed, when expressing emotions, transmitting messages and emotions, or even achieving aesthetic works, you are practicing empathy with the world around you.

General culture will equip you with elements to develop your own photographic language. By knowing how to express yourself photographically, you will be more directly understood. Having a sense of general culture allows you to listen to your environment and better translate what you see.

For example, if your passion is found in photographing wild deer, then cultivate that part of yourself and learn how culture receives it. You will then create unique photos that will have more impact.

By staying locked in your own skills without trying to learn general knowledge, you limit your creativity. You prevent yourself from lasting over time.

Key 7: Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

You may take beautiful nature photographs. You may have created an audience of people who appreciate your photographic approach.

But a few years from now, you will realize that you have confined yourself to creating photos with your signature only. You will be satisfied with what you achieve because you remain in the same creative routine.

Why not try to explore new ways with a new style? Why not try to surprise your audience by questioning yourself?

Why not step out of your comfort zone?

This is one of the keys to last in photography. Nothing forces you to always create the same type of photographs. No one keeps you tethered in your routine except yourself.

By adopting a new style that remains broadly consistent with your signature, you will regenerate yourself and initiate a new start.

Getting out of your comfort zone does not require a big risk. It is simply a matter of taking a photographic turn and choosing a path that will open new creative doors.

Key 8: Define Your Photographic Culture

You may think that you are an excellent photographer. You may think that you have nothing to learn from others. You may think that the ease that accompanies digital technologies allows you to take photos which our forefathers would have never dreamed of. You may think that these same elders have nothing to say to you since so much time has passed since they captured a photo.

You may be right. You are certainly a good photographer. You may have nothing left to learn. I cannot judge you. You are the only one who can define your limits.

But where I do not agree is that the other photographers, whether old or recent, have a lot to offer.

The technique is not that important in creating a good photograph. It represents approximately 10% of the finished product.

Personally, I have dozens of books written by photographers. I also have many photographic biographies. I have read and reread these works without stopping.

On one hand, they are important sources of inspiration. On the other hand, the experiences lived by these people allow me to avoid similar mistakes. I have found that I greatly benefit from their experiences.

This photographic culture of the past is a precious ally. Without it, I would certainly not be who I am today.

The photographic culture not only fuels worldly conversations around a table with friends who are photographers.

It is much more. Photographic culture feeds me, enriches me, and allows me to grow every day.

All the stories and experiences of others are a source of inspiration when deciding which new direction to take.

Without this photographic culture, I would not have been able to define my photographic consciousness as precisely.

I believe that to develop an interesting photographic culture, you must study all photographers regardless of their theme. For example, even if I specialize in nature photography, I should not hesitate to take an interest in fashion, news, portraits, and media photographers.

When it comes to cultivating myself, I have no limits. All experiences are beneficial in some way. I always draw from different positive elements for enrichment.

Key 9: Know How to Create Styles for Your Collections

In one of the previous keys, I indicated that in order to last, you must have a recognizable signature.

Simply saying that you have a signature is insufficient. You must know how to create styles according to your collections.

Finally

I hope these nine keys have given you the tools you need to last over time. You have talent. You are unique. It would be a shame if you do not share your points of view and your photographic vision with the largest audience possible. Sometimes it takes time to become known. Be persistent. Be methodical. Most of all, never doubt yourself.

Why and How: Defining a Photograph

Have you ever had the curiosity to search for the definition of a photograph? If you have already researched, then you will have noticed that it does not really exist. The definition always refers to the process but does not apply to the finished result.

In this article, I suggest a way to clearly define what a photograph is. This will help you build photos that are more interesting and creative.

This article will help you understand how to implement a new tool in your photography toolbox. By implementing it, you will make your photos even more interesting and instill in them true meaning.

This photograph of a waterfall in the Smoky Mountains is constructed with different elements. It evokes the time passing.

The Little Story Behind This Blog Post
Why Is It Important to Define a Photograph?
How to Define a Photograph?
The Appearance of a Photograph
Using Light to Bind Your Photographic Elements Together
The Meaning of a Photograph
Finally

The Little Story Behind This Blog Post

For several months, I have been interested in the photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto. I discovered his work through his collections "In Praise Shadows" and "Seascapes".

I have always been passionate about photography on the surface of water. Once, while looking for inspiration to define an axis of research for a new collection, I discovered Hiroshi Sugimoto. His photographic creations captivated and challenged me.

Sugimoto’s works are timeless, enigmatic, and calm. They evoke serenity. When analyzing his artistic approach, I wondered why his photographs had such an evocative force while remaining so minimalist.

It was during this introspective reflection that I asked myself this question: “What is a photograph?”.

Immediately, I took up my notebook and pen and began to jot down some ideas. For four days each morning I studied this topic, eventually forming the ideas that have become this article I share with you today.

Why Is It Important to Define a Photograph?

When I ask someone to explain the definition of a photograph, rarely can they answer me completely, regardless of whether they are a photographer or not. One may say that a photograph is a representation of reality, while another may state that the act of photographing is like “writing with light”. In short, the general public’s definition of a photograph can be blurred and confusing.

However, I believe that to take interesting photos, it is important to define what a photograph is.

If you want to create interesting photos focused on a specific audience, you must be able to define what you are planning to create. I am not referring to technique or method here, but what a photograph represents, its essence.

To denote “photograph” many people use the word “image”.

An image is a visual reproduction of a real object.

An image can be natural, for example, a shadow or a reflection, but it can also be artificial, such as a sculpture, a painting, or a photograph.

This definition is very broad and does not necessarily apply to photography.

Photography is an artistic discipline that has its own language. It is for this reason that I believe that defining a photograph is so important.

How to Define a Photograph?

I think that a photograph can be summed up in two components:

Its appearance: this is the visible component, which I refer to as the “container”.
Its meaning: this is the invisible and immaterial component which I refer to as the “content”.

These two components are necessary to properly define a photograph.

If the meaning is missing, you will simply have a picture, a representation of reality.

After you answer the question of “why and how” you are photographing, you should define your photo. I suggest that you detail each of your components.

The Appearance of a Photograph

The appearance of a photograph is what the viewer sees first. This is what immediately catches the viewer’s eye. It is the first contact or connection between your photo and your viewer. This moment will condition the rest of the interaction.

If this first contact is interesting, the viewer will take his time in progressing to the analysis stage.

If the viewer is not initially attracted, his focus will fade. He will not reach the analysis stage.

It is for this reason that a photograph must be correctly composed and framed with a well-chosen point of view.

Creating an interesting, impactful visual aspect is a matter of technique and photographic know-how.

To create a visual aspect that increases the impact of your photographs, you should have the following components available at your disposal:

Forms.
Lines.
Textures.
Colors.
Tones.

When composing, you need to harmonize your elements. I will develop this notion of harmony in a future article

Using Light to Bind Your Photographic Elements Together

When baking bread, you use a liquid to combine your dry ingredients together. The use of light in photography is like the liquid in a recipe, it binds the different elements together, creating a finished product.

I often refer to photographic recipes. The binding element of light remains the same. Light allows you to connect the chosen photographic elements.

Light is the link of all the visual elements of your photography.

You use it to highlight your composition and your framing.

The main points that you should take away from reading this article is that:

Light defines shapes.
Light defines lines.
Light creates textures.
Light determines colors.

Without light, your compositions and your framing will lack photographic flavor.

Now that I have described the first component in defining a photograph, I will give you some elements to understand the second component: the photographic meaning.

The Meaning of a Photograph

An interesting photograph is constructed from visual elements organized in a harmonious way and bound together by light.

To create a strong impact, you must add meaning to your light by illuminating significant content.

With light, you can provide meaning by revealing an emotion, expressing a message or increasing focus on an aesthetic quality.

In my opinion, the ability to expertly insert meaning into a photo is a difficult accomplishment. You must be able to think aloud, expressing your message without words. Never forget that photography is an art form. It is a medium for expressing yourself.

I have already had the opportunity to express myself to you through other articles. I do not know how to draw. I do not know how to paint. I can write. I have searched for a means of visual expression and found that photography is an authentic way for me to express myself and to share my deepest thoughts.

I developed a photographic language which uses visual elements to communicate with the greatest number of people possible.

If you want to create interesting photos, always consider the meaning you are instilling in each image. It is a necessary condition for finding your unique audience.

To allow easy reading of your photos, never forget that the eyes of a viewer are attracted towards:

Strong lines.
Textures.
Forms.
Light colors.
Sharp areas.
Clear areas.
High contrast areas.

With photographic language, I strive to organize my photographic elements in such a way that I can clearly articulate my thoughts. During my photo workshops, I share my ACANP method, which is the technique I use to speak in photographic language.

Finally

I hope this article will allow you to better define a photograph.

The most important thing to remember is that an image is a meaningless photograph. It is just a representation of reality.

To create a photograph, you must construct a container made of visual elements bound together by light. The photographic language and grammar will allow you to share your thoughts, which is the content of your photo.

After many years of research, I have learned from Hiroshi Sugimoto how to conceptualize the essence of a photograph. We should construct our photos upon this concept: The definition of a photograph is its foundation.

Be humble, patient, constant, persevering, and persistent because the road to excellence is long.