Hi Nigel,
We have not had the opportunity to meet before, as I've absented myself from OPF for some time now.
You words ring so true to me.
I'm not nearly as eloquent as you but I must say I believe and feel everything you have said.
My departure was largely due to an overwhelming feeling of inadequacy in the face of other fine photographers who participate here.
That, coupled with a very thin skin, I took many very well intended critques and comments incorrectly.
I've struggled with a way to return here for a very long time, but in the end I realized I missed OPF terribly.
What can be gained here is priceless.
Equally priceless is Asher's patience with me, his advice and his thoughts on how I feel.
He has encouraged me to return, and return I shall.
I hope I may live up to his expectations.
Guys,
Gradually folk get to recognize that we are all really quite humble about where we are in the entire universe of things. That's our true starting point for getting perspective. In some way, the culture of OPF is a kind of stabilization platform for viewing our own work. We don't expect perfection. However, when someone works on their ideas, wants honest feedback, we're here for them. Photography with ideas and technique, well presented is so sweet for us. I personally care what happens to a picture here and what will come next. For me, each photograph is the result of a lot of small decisions and many sacrifices of ways of doing things, so we ask each other questions, some of which might be for our own use and some for the essence of the picture's value.
In OPF, beyond social fun, which is an important aspect, trusting that others want the very best for one's work is critical. Whether that work is from a mother, (busy with 3 children), a man (with two mistresses and) weekend weddings or a master B&W photographer, (who's work re -sells in Sotheby's), respect for each is equal. It's just one image, one image of a series but still just one picture to be considered! We want to enjoy it, ask "What might make it work?" and perhaps open up our
own view of what's possible for our own horizons.
Undoing "givens", (things thought already well framed, what's significant in our worlds), is part of what photography does. If we don't actually do what we're about, everyone is short-changed. Frankly, I grit my teeth when there are attitudinal or dismissive remarks. Our protection is by example; it's care, honesty and nurturing, as well as giving, each according to our means. It's this which trickles down to make OPF a valuable community. Those who have a one-off question or think the gear is everything self-select out of here. We're left with a small precious few, but who we want to be with. I too am equally impressed by the quality of the work here. We see people grow.
Can you imagine how thrilled I am to see photographs constantly improve. How great it is to see Rachel persevere, to be sharing really fascinating work and then, for example, series being steadily built up over time, even without the photographer necessarily realizing, until quite late, that's happening. I think of Cem's drive, interest (or even "struggle") over the last few years to image, what I have termed his "Portals" series. Now I cannot look at
any page in OPF without feeling so good at the small home we have made here together. We are open to new ways of seeing things and welcome anyone who will share pictures, knowledge, insights, humor, humanity and ideas. We love people and life. We want the best to survive, but we fight all sorts of delusions to know what that is. That's who are in this yellow tour bus, your fellow tourists!
Let's inspire each other and hold up the lantern to life and our world with photographs, snaps and insight to where we are, what sort of values we have, and what we'll leave to our children.
Asher
ha ha