I mean photographically. What brought you into this into the first place?

The Swiss Alps' ruggedness left me speechless

I was reading my buddy’s Corwin Hiebert’s ebook “Your Creative Mix” and I have to admit it got me thinking more than anything I’ve seen or read lately. I don’t really want to go through the actual ebook (and suggest you check it for yourselves, it’s really worth it), but one of the big eye-openers for me was Corwin’s discussion about “going pro”.

I am sure many of you have asked themselves this question before (do I/should I/I gotta go pro?). It certainly has been THE question at the centre of my life for the last few years. Corwin’s provocative approach to this question really got me thinking, though.

“”How do I go pro?” I’m willing to confess that it’s probably a semantics issue, but I’ve seen this question torment inspired and talented photographers and I feel that it’s a reflection of a dangerous mindset of “not quite having arrived[emphasis added].”…“I’ve never heard a Web designer or a stylist ask that question! They do what they do because they love it and they eventually start charging money for their services—it’s not some giant chasm they have to cross.”  —Corwin Hiebert

What I realized is that I (and possibly some of you) got it completely wrong…It’s never been about going pro when you think about it. (I know this is sounding more and more like a rant but bear with me, I am going somewhere, really). When you dig deep down, it’s not about putting the label “pro photographer” on your business card, it’s not about making a living at it. In fact it’s not about taking pictures for a living.  I got so caught up in this “going pro” thing that I think I was heading towards the very thing I was trying to escape from. You see, I already have a job that pays well and that I don’t like too too much. Got that covered, thank you. So, really, do I want *any* job as a photographer, just so I can say I am making a living as a photographer? Think about it. Is it why you got into it?

So, why am *I* into it? It’s for the love of mountains and nature. It’s for the love of travel. Most importantly, it is for the creative outlet it provides me. Whether it is finding patterns in nature or the curves of an exciting new building, setting up a lighting scheme for a shoot or discovering a new culture, photography is a constant challenge for my senses and my imagination (and I mean the fun kind of challenge). This is what I love, this is what I live for. Nothing gives me anything that comes close to the thrill of photography.

However, in “trying to go pro” at all cost, I have to admit, that the notion of “making a living” started taking precedence over the “having fun” part. I found myself slowly heading towards the path of getting a job that didn’t pay well AND that I didn’t like that much. That wasn’t the plan, was it? That’s what I am thinking at least. If I am going to live the dream I want it to be the right dream.

So for now, I am going to take a deep breath. It means going back to basics, enjoying what I do, having a blast doing it!

How about you, what’s making *you* tick?

]]> http://younesbounhar.com/2011/08/16/tick/feed/ 12 http://younesbounhar.com/2009/07/22/reversing-curse/ http://younesbounhar.com/2009/07/22/reversing-curse/#comments Thu, 23 Jul 2009 03:49:31 +0000 Younes http://younesbounhar.com/?p=873 I found it! That’s it, the search is over.

Ok, let me backtrack, for the past year or so, I have come to believe that I have some sort of curse. I just can’t find good light anymore. I know, I know, you can make great images in any light, but come’on we all know that great light is what will put you over the top.

This curse was never more obvious than last week as I travelled around Washington state: I just couldn’t buy good light if my life depend on it! To make matters even worse, the day after I left, Jay Goodrich and Art Wolfe headed back to Rainier (without me of course), and guess what…light just materialised out of nowhere; the proof: HERE.

But my search has ended today, all I need is buy myself a llama or two…Ian Plant said it, and frankly I need to believe him.

First, the good…Four days off work. Met with Photolife editor-in-chief about future plans for the magazine and me as a regular contributor, shared ideas, had a few laughs. Drove 700 clicks, landed in one of the most beautiful areas this side of the Rockies: the Charlevoix mountains. The sight was one to behold. The air was clean, the water abundant. Saw more wildlife in a morning than all year around Ottawa. Great horned owl. Porcupine. Black bear…can’t even remember the rest. Hiked-up one tough trail that overlooks the whole area. The view…no words to describe it.

Then it all came down crumbling. Was it the solitude? the isolation? The fatigue? All I wanted was to be home right then, not in an hour, not in a day. What was I doing? What’s this photography thing all about anyway? Who am I fooling? Is my photography worth anything? Am I on the right track? Is there a track? Needless to say, I had more questions than there were answers (actually no answers at all). I hiked back down to the campsite, sort of slept, got up in time for sunrise…no sunrise, just drab clouds, yet again. Folded my tent. Headed back home, dazed and confused.

I just got home this afternoon, questions still going around my head. I sat down at my computer, did the usual time wasting. I then remembered a post I read a while back that pointed to this video, by Zach Arias (you can see more here http://www.zarias.com/?p=284). I had meant to see it, but never did. I guess sometimes life has its reasons. It was just what I needed. Sorry for all the moody post, I needed to vent. Thanks for listening.

Having started in photography very recently, I know all too well how tempting it is to accept any publication offer, even if it is for free. You think “what the heck, no one knows me anyway, any publicity is good publicity, let’s go for it!”. As crazy as it may sound, you should resist the temptation as hard as you can, for your own sake as well as for those who make a living out of it. Too many people expect to get just about everything for free. I have no problems doing pro bono work, I even encourage it. However, it has to be for a cause you deem worthy, not to help another business promote theirs at your expense.  But instead of rambling on (like I usuallky do) and explaining the what and the how of this story, I would simply like to point you to this video featuring American writer Harlan Ellison. I simply couldn’t say it any better. (There is some swearing involved, so use at your own risk).

Like in all my posts, I love to hear your feedback, so please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts!

Fast forward to an hour later, I decided to reply to the tweep in question. Initially, I was thinking of saying something like “why the heck did you do that to me, not cool”. Then thinking about it, my final answer was: “For an instant you made believe it was Friday. Short-lived, but intense joy Thanks”. You see, it just got me thinking, on how often we choose to get down on ourselves, choose to see the glass half-empty instead of half-full.

The same happens to me at times when I go out shooting. You are chasing your next amazing shot, you are looking forward to that great display of light. You wait an hour, two, a day, the light just never makes it to your spot. You are disappointed, you mutter, you pack your gear, you leave, disgruntled. When that happens, you just have to remember why are doing this in the first place. Take note of your surroundings. Remind yourself of the beauty of the nature surrounding you. Sure, the sunset may not be the epic one you were praying for, but gee…do you have to take those mountains for granted too?

Just remember that whatever situation you are confronted with you can either cry and whine about it, or try and take the positive and run with it, it’s YOUR call. If all else fails, I often turn to Bobby McFerrin’s words of wisdom: Don’t worry, be happy.