© Carlos Ocando, 2013.
With the advent of digital photography many photographers started to worry that the end of professional photographers had just begun. Now everybody has a camera with them and are able to take photos which are at least acceptable for most of the people. But I think this is a blessing. An opportunity for all the photographers in the world to open their minds to go beyond the technician vision and embrace an artistic vision of the world.
Leave on the side all concerns about cameras, lenses and lighting equipment to focus on emotion, beauty, composition, aesthetics and expression. To let the light be the guide, the master of the play of life and shape our message with light, shadow, texture and color.
This happened many years ago with the invention of photography. Less and less artist where commissioned to document events and portraits, many where worried because many would be left with no job or place in the world. But in the end was a blessing, many artist saw this as an opportunity to explore the world in a new way. They where free to explore their medium with no worry about their reality representation, exploring individualities as light, texture, form, shape, abstraction. Giving birth to movements as to important movements such as impressionism and cubism.
Now as photographers we also have this opportunity. We must connect with the spirits of Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Richard Avedon, Irving Penn and many others who where recognized for their artistic and technical abilities. Accept this blessing and open yourself to this new free world of expression, beauty and emotion.