30/10/2022
Artifact #130: Musings
Bataan, 2019.
Taken three years ago, at IC Quintos's workshop in Bataan. Back then, I was an aspiring artist, trying to make a name for myself and trying to create my style of photography. I studied many photos and artists and tried to recreate their styles so that I can learn and come up with my own.
A few things I learned in my tenure:
1. There is no such thing as 'original' art. Everything is a copy or an emulation of another style that was culminated in the past. What makes the art original is the process you create for your own, and in turn, the addition of other elements within the process. It is, in fact, your own "method to madness."
2. Competition is normal. The "north star" concept will always be part of the process in one's evolution. Therefore, when you find someone re-creating a style you chose for yourself, there's a sense of entitlement that lingers within one's self. It's normal. What you need to understand is that, everyone has their own path and going through their own struggles as an artist. Have more empathy. Instead, help another understand your method so they can create their own.
3. Gear is everything. Simply put, there will never be any learning involved if there are limits to what you can learn. If you have limited gear, you will only learn what the limit of the gear will teach you.
4. Do it for your self. I started photography as a means to get busy and find new friends but in the end, it will only be about you. It's just you and the camera.
This image is far from being print-worthy but it's one of the few memorable photos I've taken.
