New Thoughts on Work Tuesday, December 11, 2007 Recently I held a 3 part photography class for an NGO (above you'll see a few takes from the studio session we did). Teaching photography to people who are generally not visual artists was tricky and the outcome wasn't so that they would become photographers - not at all - but rather, to develop the skill to take good photographs regardless of the situation: at home, at work... capturing moments with more courage.   While speaking I was realizing myself the new philosophies of photography I was absorbing. It's nothing new, but the general  idea of a photographer varies per person. Slowly I'm beginning to see a more defined road of where I want to go with what I know. I kept uttering a phrase during the entire class and that was "Don't Be Shy".  The moment we are, the image we create isn't as strong as it could have been.  I ask myself too if I am still shy with being in control of photos.  I suppose much less than when I first started out, but simply uttering the phrase again and again makes me want to bring it up a notch higher... not to dominate a shoot but to give as much energy as I can to get good vibes from everyone.  Does that make sense? If we aren't shy, the vibe around us gets much lighter.  Tension is contagious, but so is good energy. "Smiling is contagious" isn't a cliche for nothing you know. I'm also enjoying the season of stepping away from fashion shoots to just live simple and do something I loved from the very beginning,  which was to create pictures for other people. Some say the word "free" or "gift" nowadays always has something attached to it. A gift is given with expectations in return.. thanks, or another gift, or a favor. My own exercise is to perhaps simply enjoy the art of making it, and forgetting about it the moment it is turned over to them.  Many new thoughts are running in my head about photography.  I'm not a photographer everyday.  I'm not an artist everyday, but i do hope I stay creative and generous everyday. Show all posts Recent posts Photoshop Retouching May 8, 2008: New Home New Neighbours February 6, 2008: Moving to London New Thoughts on Work