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| The early days of photography but influenced by the photographer's world view. |
I recently gave a
presentation to a photography group on the Art of Seeing.
This expansion on
that idea was prompted by a post on
fstoppers about a Photographer’s new book and the much philosophizing he does
on his blog and in the book about what is behind his photography.
What drives it.
In effect how his
world view shapes his photography.
I admire his
photography but don’t agree with his world view.
All of us who
create in writing or in art or photography are biased and influenced by our
world view.
The Erotic
novelist more than likely will have a world view that says practically anything
goes as they don’t have a values belief that restricts them.
They may have some
humanist type morals to a point that does influence some of their writing and
stops them from going “too far!”
The same can be
said of Painters and Photographers, Musicians, Sculptors,Film Makers and any of the
Artistic endeavors.
The person ,like
me who believes in a creator, a personal God, and believes in the “rules”
“laws” “commandments “ of conduct governed by that creator will always be
tempered in what they photograph,paint,sculpt, write etc.
The believer will
do so if they are serious about their relationship with their Creator,God.
Some believers may
want to sit on the fence a bit on some things.
They don’t want to
be too ridiculed for their beliefs so their life is like a circle.
In the middle of
the circle is Jesus(God)
The circle is the
sphere in which they move and live and have their being.
The circumference
of the circle is like a boundary between them and the greater disbelieving
world at large.
The problem is
many Christians want a foot in both camps.
They sit on the
fence on the outer not too close to where Jesus is in the centre.
Very dangerous
when we consider what happened to Lot’s wife.
When Sodom and
Gomorrah was being destroyed she was told not to look back but she did and was
turned into a pillar of salt.
So such Christians
may present work which the non Christian looking on will identify as a bit
hypocritical.
People who aren’t
Christian funnily enough often know when a Christian has crossed that fence.
So here are some
of the things that are behind how I “see” a photograph.
When photographing
a baby or children I am celebrating this new young life that God has created in
their mother’s womb.
The miracle of birth.
The miracle of birth.
Created in God’s
image of Body,Soul and Spirit.
We are fearfully
and wonderfully made the Bible tells us.
Created with a
disposition to sin but with the potential to know our God and creator and to be
set free from the bondage that sin will surely bring.
Created with the
potential to be born again.
To be born once is
fantastic, to be born again is even more wonderful.
When I photograph
a wedding I am celebrating the institution of marriage created by God.
I am celebrating
the fact that the couple have chosen to follow God’s plan for marriage and
families even though they might not yet be Christian.
When I photograph
a landscape I am glorying in what God
has created and I want to share it with someone else.
God is a
breathtaking artist.
He creates on a
new canvas each new day.
I want to share that with others.
I want to share that with others.
When photographing
Flora and Fauna I am celebrating the miracle and diversity of creation as
outlined in Genesis and expanded on elsewhere in the Bible.
A celebration of
the pure science involved and implemented by a big God.
When photographing
Family occasions I am celebrating the Family as God’s model for us to live
within.
I am creating
happy memories for people to reflect on.
Notwithstanding that
some families are damaged through divorce and other tragedies, they still can
know God’s provision in their lives.
When photographing
happy occasions I am celebrating the joy that as humanity we can share together
whatever our differences.
I may also have
occasions, and some people specialize in this, of using my camera for God.
Photojournalist
telling it like it is in war zones, exposing injustice.
I may also like to
show people who may have mental or physical disabilities,or suffer from social
deprivation, that photography, like art can be a great therapy.
Much has been
written about Phototherapy on the internet and in print.
As we use it as a
creative outlet I believe the creator can minister to us.
So my photography
is influenced and governed by my Faith in Jesus Christ.
By my
understanding that He is also my creator.
I am willing to
let God’s teaching and revelation in the Bible govern my actions as I know that
my loving God is far wiser than I am and does not ask me to do anything that is
not for my own good.
Many unfortunately
worship creation rather than the creator.
They worship evolution rather than examine the facts as they don't wish to acknowledge God might just have some say in their life.
They worship evolution rather than examine the facts as they don't wish to acknowledge God might just have some say in their life.
That is live in Him, follow Him, allow Him to
control me.
So that;s a glimpse of what motivates me as a photographer.
So that;s a glimpse of what motivates me as a photographer.
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