My mindset phrase for 2024 is “The magic you are seeking is in the work you are avoiding.”

When it comes to photography there are so many options and levels of achievement that each person has to decide what photography means to them. How much time and energy do we want to invest and for what outcome? Some people are happy taking snapshots on their iphones and posting a slightly edited image for social media consumption.

But the few of us who still shoot, develop, and print large format film have a different mindset. What is the inspiration or goal for creating an image. Why do we lug heavy gear and purchase expensive materials to capture the world around us? Who do we do our work for? At some point we begin to try to produce meaningful work and share it. But to do so we must produce the magical results in the final print that we experience during capture and when that image comes up in the developer. The story we tell in silence or in word accompanying our image is what gives it value. Even if we are only actively pursuing the hobby for our own amusement the drive to create that magic requires much work to move from beginner to novice to expert.

So that begs the question – what work are we avoiding that is preventing us from fulfilling our photographic goals?

First – we have to find what inspires us – location, subject matter, oddity, beauty, etc. Do we even procrastinate going out into the world and find what inspires us?
Second – how do we capture that image – metering, ISO/Film speed, choice of lenses, camera format, focus, depth of field, time of exposure, etc
Third – processing choices – in development we can affect the negative contrast and tonality based on developer used, temperature, time and agitation schemes. Learning the nuances of the development process for a specific developer requires careful note taking and observance after the fact.
Fourth – Printing – If we are going to print an image on traditional silver coated paper there are many choices of finish, paper color, print size, contrast filtration, developers, and preferences that we all face to produce the end result we are seeking. Do we want to visit Alternative printing and paper coating to explore traditional options beyond market ready products.
Fifth – Extended processing – Toning, spotting, or even alternative treatments can impact the final result. The work required to understand how one chemical process can change the look of an image.
Sixth – Display – How will we frame or present our work? We have digital options, traditional wall frames, Box sets, albums etc. Its in the display that the world gets to see the magic of our labor.

Failure to be active in any of the steps is avoiding the work. Maybe we really only like Capture and Development so will opt to scan our negatives for electronic display. Or can we outsource the steps we do not enjoy? Doing the work yourself likely gives greater satisfaction in the end result even if our audience does not see the value. So my challenge to myself and my fellow photographers is to do the work more often and build your skills and knowledge so that when the perfect opportunity arises we are ready to produce the magic and share it with the world.

For me that means doing something every week in at least one of the steps. That is 52 opportunities to do the work, learn, and see if our images improve or become more magical.

Update June 5, 2024 – I have been working on a couple of projects and definately doing something at least every 2 weeks if not every week. Definately seeing improvements in my images and print making. Need to work on #5 and #6 some soon.

Good luck with your photography path.