In photography, the Art of Seeing, is a learned skill, a lot like developing a muscle.
The more you work at it, the better and stronger you become at it.
This is not to dismiss the notion that “photographic seeing” is a genetic, biological gift of nature.
I’m sure there is some of this going on here too.
But, in my almost 5-decade career in photography, I can honestly say that “seeing” is less about nature and more about nurture.
When someone says creativity in general and photographic seeing in particular, is a learned skill, they mean that creativity is not something that you are born with or without, but rather something that you can develop and improve over time by practicing and applying certain techniques and strategies.
Creativity is not a fixed trait that only some people have, but a process that anyone can learn and use in different domains and situations.
The art of seeing in photography is less physical and biological and more emotional and psychological.
The truth of the matter is, that creativity has less to do with your genes and more to do with your jeans.
Learning to see is hard work and take time, energy, focus, and indefatigable discipline and drive.
My photographs, today, look like they do, not because of some benevolent gift of nature but a tireless, unrelenting, determined, single-minded drive to get and be better in photography. Period.
The good news here, for all of us, is that creativity and “seeing” can be learned, albeit slowly, over time. One click at a time. Make marginal improvements. Celebrate your small progress.
Click
Jack
