johnvanr
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 p.5 #16 · The opposite of "meaningless street photography"... | |
RustyBug wrote:
I'm sure lots of folks have an opinion ... might be they just don't want to open that dialogue, further. 
But, I'm game ...
I kind of alluded to it before when I referenced earlier works vs. later works as part of the growth process.
Also, when I referenced "emulation" vs. "creation". While on one hand there is the fact that our beloved craft is both utilitarian as a recording device, and can also serve as an artistic tool of choice. I find that to be an important distinction of understanding when "assessing" the meaningfulness of the act of "creating".
To that, I'll jump to the end ... and say, that I find it VERY MEANINGFUL when a person transitions from emulation and utilitarian to purpose, intent and creation endeavors. Now, that also involves (somewhat circular subjectivity in definition) where a person draws the line for their own aspects of transitioning from one to the other.
So, to answer the direct question ... directly. YES
The rationale applied for folks may greatly vary, as can their opinion of why the answer may be YES vs. NO. But, for me ... just to answer with a blanket YES, that "anything goes", leaves the meaningfulness of intent / purpose out of the mix, leans into the other direction. And yet, if that is the STARTING PLACE for folks ... it has its own inherent value of meaning in their personal journey. Thus, who am I to dismiss its meaningfulness to them? 
In the end, there are those things that help others grow ... grow their understanding of a subject, location, culture, issue, etc. Grow their understanding of themselves. Grow their mastery of their intent and purpose.
In the end, all that we do ... when done with meaningful intent / purpose ... can be meaningful. That which we approach with haphazard, casual perspectives will likely have have haphazard, casual meaning. Funny, how it is kinda self-defining in that regard ... and, individually subjective. We should endeavor to be honest with ourselves. I think there are plenty of folks who take one approach, and expect others to perceive it as the other. And, that can cut both ways.
Leaving me to part (this reponse) with "To thine own self, be true." That, and/or "You get out of it, what you put in to it." as the means to growing yourself or advocating for the growth of others. Although, I think the essence of the OP was to suggest that there is often a mismatch between the means and the end, for a lot of what is prevalently presented. Incidentally, I think that some folks were actually agreeing with him, but in a way that can be difficult to fully articulate.
So, yes ... my answer is YES (with the caveat of an honest and earnest endeavor).
P.S. Thanks to a very important person in my journey, who brought the significance of "intent" into my mindset.  ...Show more →
Maybe because it’s because I’m Dutch and thus well acquainted with honesty that borders on rudeness (my uncles after not seeing me for decades: “you got fat”), that I don’t think anyone is rude here. It’s just direct.
I think Mitch opened himself up to the criticism he received. In that sense, the question this thread discusses was answered: it very much depends on the viewer whether something is meaningful to him/her irrespective of whether it was meaningful to the creator. Obviously, it was and is meaningful to Mitch, as it was to others. It’s not meaningful to everybody, though.
What strikes me is that some say it’s meaningful because it reminds them of having been to Thailand. That’s yet another dimension, because that separates the subject of the image from the actual value of the image itself, just like a snapshot of a kid is rather meaningless unless it’s your own kid.
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without the bear, ever ... idk, doing what bear's do. 