If nobody cared, would you still take pictures?
Dec 18, 2016
Joseph Parry
Joseph Parry is a Commercial and Editorial photographer based in the UK that provides cinematic photography and ounces of humour. Follow him on Instagram for stories and kick ass imagery.
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If nobody cared, would you still take pictures?
I’ve been posing this question to myself for a while now, this idea of “If nobody cared about my work, would I still create?”. Am I creating truly for myself, or is it a hybrid between the audience’s and my own enjoyment combined?
It stems back to this idea of value. More specifically self value. Whether it comes from respect, love, friendship, art etc.
Receiving feedback from those around us gives us not only a platform / base of our perceived value, but also a potential release to be appreciated.
That appreciation we may or may not receive, is it more or less valuable based on the self value we already have in our lives? Or is it unique specifically to that which we create?
By that I mean; If we had a loving partner, a wonderful career, lots of amazing friends and everything else we could hope for.
If our art failed continuously over and over again, would it bother us as deeply as if our art was the only form of appreciation we had / cared for?
Let’s assume you love creating photographs, artwork, capturing history, moments in time. Is it crucial for you to receive feedback on what you put out there to the world? Are you putting it out there to the world?
If not, why not?
Do you genuinely hand to heart not care for the opinions and feedback of others? Or are you lying to yourself and just too afraid to share something you care for?
If you do put it out there what does this feedback do for you? Do you desire it to be positive? Negative?
Does which side of the coin the feedback comes in push you further to work harder? Or does it deter you from wanting to try?
There are so many questions here based on this thought process of do other people matter when it comes to my art?
Even if you take the stance of “I create for myself and if I find success in it, great”. People still matter in that equation to the point of do you wish to make a business of your art or not?
Let’s say you don’t wish to make money from your art, does the opinion of people who view your work matter more or less?
Does it become more emotionally taxing for us to take feedback when we do it for ourselves?
Does it matter less what people think if you;re already being paid for work and the client is happy? Would you be satisfied in the work yourself if the client wasn’t happy?
Would the client being happy be enough feedback to cement your confidence?
What about if the rest of the world hated something, but you and your client loved it. Would you have the strength to stand by that love and keep telling yourself that the rest of the world’s opinion doesn’t matter?
Does the rest of the world’s opinion matter?
I was having a conversation with Ben Von Wong a good 6 months ago or so and I distinctly remember him saying that if there were no audience, he wouldn’t take pictures.
It really made me think. Am I the same?
After 1500+ miles of driving, £100’s in fuel, 20+ hours of sitting in a car. Weeks of editing and shooting my latest project “Tale of the Heroes” (Seen throughout this article). I can honestly sit down at a place and ask myself that question very seriously.
Who am I shooting for?I made no money from these shoots, cost myself money I didn’t and don’t have to spend. Took weeks out of my life I will never get back and even had pictures rejected by the designer of the dresses.
At first I thought I was shooting for the designer. I thought I was shooting this project to please her and somehow impress her with my work. As the project grew on and things got further down the line.
I realised very strongly that I was shooting for myself. My vision, my story that I wanted to tell was all that mattered to me.
If other people liked the images that was an awesome bonus.But I was creating to improve my art in my own opinion, I was shooting to create something for me.
I don’t regret a single second or a single penny I’ve spent creating this project. I’ve been madly in love with the process from day one and beyond thankful for the opportunity to work with such a talented designer and wonderful models.
And at the end of it all, would it bother me if they didn’t like the images? If the designer and the models hated the images, would it bother me? Would I feel like I failed?
That’s when I realised, no. I wouldn’t actually care. I would understand that the side product of that means I would likely not be able to work with those people in the future as it would be of no benefit to them working with me (if they didn’t like the results).
But would I feel like I’d done a bad job?
No.
The exception being if someone had paid me for a job to create work for them, would it be the same? And even then I think my thought process would be: Business wise I have failed the client. I’ve done a bad job.
But art wise, if I liked the pictures, I still haven’t failed myself.
And that’s the balance isn’t it? Are we shooting for other people? Ourselves? Both? Who are we shooting for? What are we shooting? Why?
What do you guys think?
Why do you pick up a camera? Why do you push that shutter? Do you share your work online? Do you care what other people think about it?
If you don’t care what people think about it, why are you sharing it online?
Some great questions to ponder and actively get involved with. I look forward to hearing from you in the comments.
Joseph Parry
Joseph Parry is a Commercial and Editorial photographer based in the UK that provides cinematic photography and ounces of humour. Follow him on Instagram for stories and kick ass imagery.
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73 responses to “If nobody cared, would you still take pictures?”
Yes, and no.
I do now
Yeah because it is fun
Yes
Yes, since this is exactly what I am dealing with.
Can you elaborate my friend?
Absolutely!! I take them because I enjoy it, whether anyone else likes them is incidental.
Exactly!
It is a compulsion for me to capture moments. Yes.
Excellent Vincent! I’m the same!
I care and I have to. What more do you want :)
If you’re happy, you’re doing it right!
Of course.
Stay that way!
Yes it’s to capture unique moments whatever the situation!
People took pics before fb…
but not as many…..What happens today, 85 % is pure exhibitionism…..
And what stopped them sharing prints? Showing books? Displaying prints in galleries etc? Was it not possible to share work before Social Media?
If it was (which is the point of this article) was the feedback not even MORE relevant then? Because it would have been face to face etc?
Yes the pictures are for me ,
My photo’s are for my own enjoyment, to remind me of where i’ve been too. If others like them as well, then thats a bonus…
Historical retention is a wonderful reason to capture moments in our lives. I wonder how much of my work is based on capturing where I am in life vs just creating “art”.
I would probably rather eat or drink coffee – which I do anyways.
The feedback from others is an important part of creating art.
I feel the same my friend <3
Oh yes, I try to make the best memories for me and my family, but all that care with light setups and everything isn’t something others care about, I could just used my phone and they wouldn’t even care, but I do. ??
I think it’s important to care, it impacts the creation greatly!
yes i would
Yes. It is a form of self expression that is much like breathing to me. A must do. Selling them, or having people like them, is a wonderful plus, but not tied to whether I make them in the first place.
My thoughts exactly!
Yes
Good!
If anyone says, that they don’t care about acceptance and praise from others – most of those people are sociopaths, or angsty teenagers who want to sound cool.
Humans are social animals. We want a praise and acceptance from others.
:D
A big part of me understands and agrees with this for sure. Though it’s dangerous to admit ;)
My projects are my vision, my pictures and if others outside my creative bubble like them that’s great. But it does matter and feel good when someone says, “wow Di beautiful picture!” and they’re your client and are paying because those are they’re pictures.
Not always your client, but I completely understand the emotional impact it has having people like your work!
Seeing how no one does care, then yes I would still create. It’s part of who I am. I mean it would be great if someone cared, but I create for myself.
Why do you think nobody cares?
Of course
:D
I have to shoot no matter what people think of my work.
I’m much the same Bill!
Yes
Keep at it!
I take pictures because i enjoy the art of creating for myself .. Your photos are stunning ..
That’s very kind Jerry, thank you so much my friend! I’m much the same, creating for myself, as Mark Sloane so beautifully wrote above: “I use my art as a tool to learn how to communicate with my heart.”
Yep.
Good!
I have learned over the years that art, successful art, art that is pleasing, can only be defined by the artist who created it. The art community and those who appreciate art have no bearing on the success of an artistic endeavor.
The impact of how the art community and those who appreciate art reacts to your work, can only be be defined by the artist and any emotional reaction is valid.
Personally, I do not exhibit or sell my art anymore. Every image that I feel is successful is printed, matted and placed in a portfolio box. They are very personal and are an extension of who I am. At present, I do not care to have them interpreted by the general public. However, I do post some images on FB for family and friends.
I use my art as a tool to learn how to communicate with my heart. To listen to the music in my heart. Not just one string or one chord; I want to hear the whole orchestra.
Absolutely I would continue to create art if no one sees it!
“I use my art as a tool to learn how to communicate with my heart.” – This was absolute gold my friend. Absolutely nailed it! Thank you so much for sharing!
The definition of Tenacity for your passion:
knowing full well that a picky of your lunch gets more likes on Facebook than an image you post after you get up at 2am, drive for half-an-hour, trudge another 30 mins in the freezing cold so you can be in the right place at the right time, to capture the spectacle the universe has gifted us. Then spending an hour editing the image to remove the light pollution.
Yet you do it because when you are 80, hopefully you can look back and say, “well at least I didn’t sit on my ass my whole life. At lease I didn’t just scroll through my Facebook feed bitching how I could do better but never actually achieved anything.”
Hell I don’t even consider myself a photographer and I post more images then some Pro-Photogs who love bleeding about how passionate they are about their craft. Most people don’t care but that one like, that one comment or that one person who tells you directly that your images are amazing make you go out and do it all again.
It’s a really interesting point you’re making about knowing what gets more likes and knowing what’s truer to your heart and vision. I think my next post will really be one you connect with.
Yep, I still do.
Great!
Since nobody cares about my pictures, the answer is yes.
Why do you think this?
Yup. Because I care!
More people care than you think ;)
The internet has taught me that no one cares.
That’s a real shame. The internet has taught me that plenty of people care. You just have to interact in a completely different way. Sometimes in a way so basic it feels ridiculous, but ultimately are you communicating for yourself or to be understood?
Well, seeing as communication on the internet is typically too short and vulgar to be of any use, I honestly don’t really care to even try. When people clicked Like on something, I felt dirty and ashamed. I shut down all personal social media, blogs, and websites and am happier and more lucrative for it.
You’re presuming anyone cares now? The creators gotta create, the musician will play whether there’s an audience or not, many painters will be the only one to ever see their work..
Presumptions are safer than assumptions ;), but to answer your question, no I don’t assume people like my work, it’s hard to judge what emotional impact my work has on people if any at all.
Unless people tell me, or click a “like” button I have no idea. I create for myself personally, but I won’t lie, I love the communication and connection it can have with others. It keeps my soul fed and driving forwards with motivation.
It’s a sad but true story about painters. An excellent point my friend!
No one cares about my photos, it certainly makes me less rushed to post them, but I still want to take photos for myself even if no one looks at them.
Not true……..others are paying attention
What makes you think nobody cares?
Photography is a way of meditation for me, if people like or dont like what I do, doesnt really matter. If people are interested by the pictures I take, I appreciate, of course.
That’s a solid approach! It’s not negative or demeaning to yourself, just is what it is, I like it!
yes
Good!
This gave me a lot of thinking, and I went all the way from the initial thought “Of course I would still take pictures!” to “I’m not sure”, and back. I could write a whole new article on the topic. :) But the bottom line is, yeah, I believe I would still create. After all, I started it to express myself and make myself sane, and I still do it for these reasons 99% of the time. That 1% is when I get paid, it’s the only occasion I do it for someone else. :D
No.
Or very rarely. Just snapshots for my own memories.
The enjoyment I get from photography stems largely from sharing with other people.
Yea, I’d keep taking photos. That’s what I’ve been doing since 1980. My vocation is not photography. For me, photography is a creative release. Even though I now own a DSLR, I continue to use my film cameras as well.
this is the way i express myself as an artist… if i get recognized or even paid by my work is secondary. That said it is very fullfilling that your work is admired by other people and even better to get paid for it.
I’ve been doing photography for about five years and have never shared a single image. I do it for myself and have no intentions to ever share any of my work, nor use or sell my time taking pictures for anyone else. That’s just not my thing. I see people making a living out of it, but I do it for personal satisfaction. Maybe I’ll put it in my will that the public can see my work after I’m dead lol