Here is a short description of the concept of each chapter.
Chapter 1 - Why Photograph?
While everyone thinks that they know the reason why they photograph, it's very possible that their motivation comes not from logical thoughts but from hidden passions that they barely understand. On the other hand, if you are sure that you have a deep rooted passion to photograph, do you have any idea why you feel this way? "Why Photograph?" deals with why we choose to use a camera for expression, rather than brushes or pencils, or perhaps a guitar. Naturally, some artists have a variety of passions. But what makes us different from those who are truly happy working as lawyers, doctors, merchants, and many other less artistic professions. You can be a passionate trial attorney, but what makes us follow the arts instead.
Chapter 2 - The Passion Within
Passion - it's a word that is popular now with "photographic artists". I have a passion for photography. She has a passion to photograph. It's an uncontrollable urge within him. The passion can take on many forms: passion for the equipment; passion for the subject matter; passion for artistic expression. Does the passion create the inspiration or does inspiration create the passion? If you are passionate for the expression of art, do you deplore group discussions about new cameras and lenses? The passion within can take many forms, and can determine your specialty preferences, subject attraction and your reasons to continue.
Chapter 3 - A Concept Millenniums Old
Based on archeological and historical findings, it can be concluded with fair certainty that a sense of photography existed in man as far back as the stone ages. While it was at first manifested as art on cave walls, then by more sophisticated illustration, such as that inside the Egyptian pyramids, humans have always had a desire to capture the "image" they see before their eyes. All inventions have taken time to evolve, including the camera. The first creation to produce a live image may well have been the camera obscura, in which highly intelligent inventors built a windowless room and drilled a hole permitting a small beam of light to come through. The beam carried with it the image from outside and projected it onto the opposing wall inside, in effect writing with the light. While the concept must certainly have been based on the eyeball, it still shows that a photographer's motivation was evolving beyond traditional painting and sculpture, even centuries ago. The delay from camera obscura to view camera was likely due to the other necessary invention - a process to record the image.
Chapter 4 - Lifestyle versus Art
Is photography your life? Or is it something you do when the inspiration strikes? Are you like a painter who sits down at the easel once in a while to work with your brushes and canvas? Or do you breathe, drink and eat with photography in your system all the time? A painter may seek inspiration and take notes during her waking hours. A photographer who lives his passion 24/7 might carry some kind of camera with him at all times. A painter, too, might take a camera at all times to record a scene or inspiration, putting it on paper or canvas later. The real question here is whether you spend your dreams and waking hours consumed by photography and its elements - art, vision, processes, equipment, software. Is it lifestyle versus art? Or is it all one?
Chapter 5 - Are You a Craftsman or Artist?
For decades, since the 19th century, photography was seen as a craft. A photographer recorded scenes, events, and person's images. While good or great photography required talent, it was considered the expertise of a craftsman. The price of entry into the field was high, in terms of cost, time and dedication. Specialized knowledge was required to manipulate a view camera, and more importantly, to use wet plates and later film. Great photography today also requires expertise with the craft, but everyone has access to the tools now, including the most sophisticated cameras ever made, powerful computers and amazing software. But where is the artist , and when did photography become an art?
Chapter 6 - For Money or For Love?
This is perhaps the most important question many photographers will face today. Thousands of new photographers become professionals every year, fueled by the ease of discovering the passion of photography through digital cameras. If professional simply means charging for assignments, this does not mean expertise, although it certainly implies it. With so much competition can you make a living with photography? What would set you apart from the other tens of thousands of new professional photographers? Are you willing to dedicate long hours to become both expert and great at what you do? More importantly, do you really want to take photographs for others and does it pay enough? Many who have tried the professional photography route have discovered that they are much happier as an amateur. When shooting for love and passion the art evolves differently. When photography is your business you may want to go home and do something else at the end of your day.
Chapter 7 - Inspiration and the Muse?
Where does your inspiration come from? Do you simply take a camera, head off into the street and see what is there to photograph? While opportunities are everywhere, and some great photographs have been taken like this over the decades, it is akin to a novelist writing chapter by chapter, making up the story as she goes along. Sometimes what you, or a writer, need is a muse who inspires you with ideas. To be completely original in concept you need to sit or lie down, clear the mind, and use your imagination to create a concept. Form you idea or ideas, then go out and execute your assignment. The muse can also inspire new ideas for professional photographers who love their business and are dedicated to impress their clients. Either way, a photographer needs time to think, and let the imagination flow.
Chapter 8 - The Photographer's Mastermind Group
If the mind can create new ideas, many minds working together can develop a concept with even more power. Throughout history, friends or colleagues with any mutual interest of goal have gotten together to think and created powerful ideas. Painters and sculptors get together for inspiration. It does not mean that everyone walks out to work on the same concept. What typically happens is that each person has an inspired moment and goes home with a fresh idea.
Chapter 9 - The Fallacies of the Equipment Beliefs
"What camera do you use?", goes the typical question. You roll your eyes as you ponder your response. Do you tell the innocent questioner about your 5D, or about your trusty old Hasselblad with its 6x6 film back, or do you try to explain why you use a 4x5 view field camera for personal projects? An experienced photographer knows that he can create beautiful images with any camera. Too many new photographers, and the general public, believe that the best camera makes the stunning image. Painters don't spend time discussing brushes as the means to great art. Sculptors would never assume that using the same type of clay will make them as great as Michelangelo. Why do photographers get in the equipment trap?
Chapter 10 - Are you Photography or a Photographer?
At some point, or many, in your life you will ask yourself this question. Is photography a part of your life, something you do for art, hobby, fun, or profession? Or is photography an actual lifestyle which permeates everything you do? Is photography your expression of art, or a passion that encompasses everything from concepts and ideas to equipment and imaging tools? Do you get overloaded and have to "turn it off" once in a while, or do you love it so much that you don't mind that every waking or sleeping thought is photography? Does your passion falter sometimes? How will you keep it alive now and in the future? How will you ultimately stand out from the crowd? What will be your legacy as a photographer?
I hope that this gives you a good idea of the search for meaning found in The Photographers Manifesto. The book is not about technique per se, although the topic is certainly explored. The book is not all about inspiration, but that too is important. My goal is to help all photographers visually their place in the universe, as photographers. Are you destined for greatness or are you contented as a weekend artist? There is no right or wrong answer, of course.
Ready to order your free e-copy? Go to the order form now.