RustyBug 
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 Re: How do you approach photography? | |
Well, given the OP calls for introspective reflection (why we photography), such instrospective perspectives shouldn\'t be considered as a \"self-absorbed\" pontification to serve as a \"cover up\" for a lack of talent, but rather a proper response to the request. I\'d like to hear more, from many other FM\'ers, especially some lurkers or newbies that we don\'t typically hear from ... 
Historically and classicly, a good mentor, instructor, journeyman, master, jedi, sensei, etc. will require others who aspire to improve to do such instrospective reflection. Belittling such as \"navel gazing\" and purporting it stereotypically indicates a lack of talent isn\'t something that I\'d expect most students to toss back at those whom they learn from. It really applies to everything you do in life ... the more you understand why you are doing something, it fuels the direction and magnitude of your efforts and outcomes.
So, an obvious question could easily be, \"Why do people pontificate?\" Despite the negative connotation that you are associating to the word, its origins are admirable.
Etymology 1:
From Latin pontificatus, from pontifex (“bridge builder”), from pons (“bridge”) + facere (“make”).
One never knows who (i.e. lurkers) might benefit from such pontification ... being the bridge that facilitates a continuation of another\'s journey toward growth and development. If it were not for the pontification of others \"making bridges\" for me (photography, et al), my growth and development would be less than otherwise provided for.
Sure there are those who \"jack their jaws\" just because they can. But despite the fact that some people have such \"self-absorbed\" perspectives as you suggest, does not preclude the fact that there are people who genuinely and freely desire to foster development in others ... often times in appreciation for those who fostered their own development. I\'d like to think that most of us who offer such critique (in this forum in particular) are intending to be of the \"bridge maker\" variety moreover than the \"self-absorbed\" variety.
As such, (bridge making) pontification has no direct correlation regarding one\'s lack of talent. Granted, it might very well be that one is spending more time \"making bridges\" than exhibiting their own talent by \"making their own\", but that can very readily be an attribute of goodwill moreover than the \"cover up\" for a lack of talent that you\'ve suggested. You\'re generalization statement seems to follow the way of most stereotypes ... it appears wrought with a projection of unthoughtful folly, yet easily and quickly espoused, that similarly unthoughtful persons will readily agree with.
And yes ... I\'ve just pontificated about pontification. 
BTW ... while some may have taken the path of such a prestigous art school being taught by prestiguos teachers ... I took the path of traveling the world taking pictures and studying the world, hmmm. Neither (unto itself) is an indication of talent, nor the lack of talent (which schools did Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh attend) ... and yes, it can be just for fun.
Bring on the pics ... or in this particular thread, bring on the \"WHY\" !!! 
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