Photo by Annushka Ahuja.
For me, teaching photography is one of the best things humans do. Handing down knowledge to someone who is eager to learn and watching them grow, truly, it’s special. Thanks to the internet, it’s never been easier to educate people about image making. However, despite all this, I’m here to argue that you can’t teach great photography.
The Fundamentals
If you’re a beginner, don’t feel disheartened by my opening statement. Don’t misconstrue it either. You can absolutely learn some valuable skills from attending a photography class or downloading a course.
Teaching is great for the fundamentals of photography. The literature can take you from not knowing your way around a camera to understanding what everything does in the menu and how to use it to your advantage. Experienced photographers can hand down ideas and concepts around composition, and explain how to set up studio lights to avoid harsh shadows.
Getting an education in the field can certainly make you a good photographer; most of you will be content with that.
Understanding Greatness
When we think of the greats, the Cindy Shermans, Stephen Wilkes, and Steve McCurrys of this world, they all have one thing in common: they see the world differently to most of us.
You can’t teach the concepts that come out of Sherman’s mind, nor can you educate someone on the patience it takes to create Wilkes’ 24-hour exposures, followed by months of editing. Nor can you learn the sheer dedication it takes for Steve McCurry to travel the world, or his impeccable timing and understanding of human behavior.
I’ll use Platon as another example, one of the best portrait photographers of our time. His talent isn’t in setting up lighting or getting the perfect exposure. In fact, he has a team of assistants that do that for him while on set.
Of course, he knows how to do it, but his abilities mainly rest in understanding how to bring authenticity into a frame, and how to help people let their guard down.
The great photographers have a gift. Call it God-given, or from any other higher power we can’t explain or do not understand. Perhaps it comes from life experiences and circumstances, and a series of events led their minds to work in a way that’s different to the norm. Maybe it’s down to some of the 86 billion neurons in our brains we’re yet to uncover.
There’s Hope…
One likely, and explainable, factor is dedication. They do the work, consistently. Reading books, watching videos, and listening to podcasts will get you so far. But getting out and experiencing your reality through your camera will take you from good to the edge of greatness.
And for most of us, we’ll never get there. That may hurt, but it shouldn’t. Photography is still a gift, no matter what level you reach, and can still offer a lot of value for your life experience.
Plus, we can still appreciate greatness and enjoy what a small section of human minds can create, and what it does for our industry. And if you’re fortunate and work hard, you may be one of them.
More reading: Olha Stepanian and the Power of Letting Ideas Take Their Time
