Reflecting on My Artistic Journey: Finding Inspiration and New Perspectives
At the start of my initial course, my tutor emphasised that my photography should be a true reflection of myself. While I’ve always considered myself a capable photographer, I often felt that I lacked artistic flair. However, I’m beginning to realize that this might not be entirely true. Instead, it’s possible that my images have felt bland or failed to stand out simply because I haven’t studied the work of other photographers enough.
Recently, I spent some time exploring recommended links from the OCA. Although not all of them resonated with me, three in particular made a significant impact:
- Venetia Dearden
Somerset Stories, Fivepenny Dreams
Dearden’s work struck a chord with me due to her deep connection with her subjects, whether they were landscapes or portraits. The series has a compelling narrative that ties back to her childhood haunts, which I found deeply inspiring. - Karen Knorr
Belgravia
I was captivated by the continuity and staging in Knorr’s environmental portraits. Her work goes beyond merely capturing faces; it tells a story about the subjects themselves—a lesson I realized I need to apply to my own portrait work. The first shot in her series gave me the feeling that just around the corner, we’re about to meet someone interesting, adding a narrative depth I hadn’t considered before. - Peter Mansell
OCA Blog
Mansell’s work, particularly from the perspective of a wheelchair user within the landscape, offered a unique viewpoint that I had never considered. His approach challenges me to look at scenes with fresh eyes and to explore perspectives that I might not have thought of on my own.
One key takeaway from exploring these links is that there’s no set way to approach any project or assignment. Photography is an incredibly personal and flexible art form, and I’m excited to continue pushing my boundaries, inspired by the diverse approaches of these talented photographers.
