It would be a huge understatement to say I have come on a long way since the course started. Even as I sit here typing this now, I can feel my head churning and brimming with ideas for stretching this Launderama project even further. I have become more confident, not just in my picture-taking and talking to people, but also in planning my ideas and eventually carrying them out. The course has definitely facilitated my love of research, theory and discussion, and it is these activities that have had a direct causal link to the pictures I am now taking. As an example, I remember back in October, the level of commitment I had in getting up at 4am to shoot my Exterior Location images on the many car boot sales I visited. I remember the sense of achievement I felt as I sat eating my breakfast in Subway that morning once I'd finished; the need to continually look at what I had, knowing at this early stage which I would use, and which were of no use to me; the agony of getting up at that time (not knowing where I was); the euphoric recall of being out in "the field", doing my thing as a photographer and feeling enriched from the type of respect this garners from willing subjects. With all this being said, I offer below what I felt were my Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats going into this final shoot... As a Photographer... As a Person.
STRENGTHS:
* I can research photographers. I know exactly what I like, and how I want my image to look. I am confident I do not need to re-invent the wheel, and that most things have been done before. I only need to reinterpret them moment and do it in my way on the day.
* I can conduct thorough planning of my theme in general, and shots in particular, based on the research I have done.
* I am able to contact the relevant people prior to a shoot, express myself verbally about what it is I aim to do, and make arrangements on how I plan to do it.
* I can approach potential subjects, and communicate exactly what I want from them, in terms of that positioning, facial expression ("don't smile; just look natural; act like I'm not here"), and any props I need in the shot. I can allay any fears within myself that I am asking too much, for when I am "in the zone" there's no stopping me. Speaking about my Street Photography, a friend asked me: "don't the people mind when you're photographing them?", to which I answered: "they don't get a choice".
* Despite the seeming arrogance of the last point, I am a sensitive man. I can act compassionately with people, often sensing distress if there is any, and adjusting my approach accordingly.
* I like to think I can understand all of what my camera does, and use it to create high quality images. I am an intelligent man, and through the course I now have a degree of visual intelligent (see the first point).
* I am a strong writer, and can evaluate my photography in an in-depth manner.
WEAKNESSES:
* I am a terrible perfectionist, and it often takes me longer than most to get something done. This often leads me to procrastinate, as if I am awaiting the perfect mood to begin/continue with a task.
* I know my life is often unmanageable because of this. If I don't watch out and take care of myself, I can become depressed and resentful that I have to do something at all, no matter how passionate I was about it previously.
* I have too many ideas, and it would be impossible to follow-through on them all. I allow these ideas to run away with me at times. Case in point: plans to shoot these portraits in Medium Format, with studio lighting, when I do not own a car to ferry the stuff around.
* I often need the assurance of others a little too much on what I feel is a good image. This is particularly painful when asking those who do not share the same vision.
* Sometimes my ego stands in the way. When I am happy with something I have done, I think I often think I am the best thing since sliced bread. The best advice I have received on this is: "dare to be ordinary".
* I often do not follow-up on things I say to people. E.g. people I have photographed that are interested in seeing the results once edited.
OPPORTUNITIES
* I have recently started speaking to Jim Mortram on Twitter. He likes what I have done so far, and has urged me to continue it, perhaps with an official blog containing interviews with those I photograph.
* I know a few people within the arts, some of which constantly encourage me to exhibit the different series of images I have been producing of late. E.g. David Lowther, artist and manager of Nexus Art Cafe in the centre of Manchester.
* Thanks to the internet and Social Media, I have a way of keeping in touch with other photographers and their projects. Not only this, but those I photograph have also shown an interest in seeing the images in print.
* I still feel I have merely scratched the surface as far as Photoshop is concerned. Therefore, there is a lot to learn. Maybe the future will see me create better montages etc?
* I am due to start a new job, which may give me more disposable income to purchase a new camera, lens or lighting for future projects. Certainly not holding my breath here, though.
THREATS
* Everyone is a photographer in this day and age. For this reason, competition is a massive threat.
* The more my work gets seen, and the more I put myself "out there", the greater risk that someone could use my ideas for their own benefits. I think this is what is known as paranoia, though.
* Technology is forever changing, and some are in a better financial position to buy the latest kit and move ahead.
* In these times of recession, people generally do not have the funds to purchase prints or fund projects.r
* My own ego taking over on any given day (not trusting in my own vision and/or expecting people to see what I can see, and thus stroking me for being so "with it".
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