Originally posted by ffking It's actually a total bummer - for what it;s worth,this was the conclusion I came to when I hit a buffer of my own - there's one thing I an do better than anyone else in the world, and that's be me, and shoot what I see, the way I see it. Probably won't improve your sales, but its a helluva lot more fun, and if you happen to find a voice which resonates with others then you might just get the sales you only dreamed of when taking perfect pictures. The thing that makes you pissed off is the thing that can make you a really good photographer - we live in an amazing world - go photograph it through your own eyes. That's what I tell myself, anyway - and I sometimes listen, and I sometimes do something unique.
Wow what an interesting thread. It sure has stirred up a lot of passion. I enjoyed reading this one quite a bit. I had a lot to say, but much has been said already.
I too have often questioned the purpose of the pursuit of photography. It can feel trivial. I think the purpose of anything we choose to do comes down to connectedness. Photography in itself is a great venue for slowing down, getting to know yourself and how you think and see. Its an extraordinary tool for connecting with nature by forcing us to study her and spend countless hours admiring her. It teaches us to see beauty in all people in all kinds of pass times and pursuits. It allows us to share a part of ourselves and can bridge the gap between us and those we happen to come into contact with--even for a 1/100th of a second on a street across the world.
Art has changed. Everyone takes photos. Go on trips to enjoy yourself. Sometimes bring your camera. Other times leave it at home and imagine shots. If you want it to be business in addition to pleasure, thats great. Make sure (as in any business) know and play into the market. Every person you meet is part of networking.
Being visually impaired, I really struggled with the opposite--not having the freedom to travel, even in my own city or its surroundings. One of the best things I learned even before i had a DSLR was to challenge yourself to find great images in your city, in your neighborhood, and even on your street.
Even if you sell your camera gear, spend every moment aware of yourself and your interactions with the human and natural patterns all around you. Savour it.
You caught me in a mood. But connection is what we all want most. That's why we have pets and surround ourselves with relationships no matter how hollow we let them get.