
Passion. It’s what fuels anything I’ve ever been good at. If I’m not passionate about something, I might be proficient, but the drive is not there.
I’m very aware of the level of passion I have for different things I photograph. As with any of us, certain things will click with us. Other things will not. And actually, “click” is not a powerful enough word. I’ve got subjects that I am compelled, driven to photograph.
The Moody Stuff

I’m generally a pretty positive, laid back cat. But often, when it comes to creating art/photography, I’m often drawn more to the moody side of subjects. When it comes to my favorite subjects to photograph in street/urban landscape photography, I like the moodier scenes and subjects that are present at night, not in the daylight. That’s what I’m drawn to, what I’m passionate about.
Photo Shoots
If I’m doing an intimate portraiture shoot with someone, again, I’m more drawn to deeper, moody aspects. I might try to capture the feeling of isolation, or loneliness, vulnerability. Maybe contemplation. I think those are strong feelings that we can all relate to, even if only in a private way.

It’s Really All About the Feel

I’m not trying to paint this picture that I’m only about dark themes. It’s really more about the mood, the feel and not always necessarily about darkness. I do always strive to photograph subjects and create photos that are moody; have a strong feel and if I’m lucky, a strong sense of story.
Who’s My Audience? Me

If I make art / photographs / music that I love, that’s all I care about. It’s why I’m doing this stuff. It’s fun and I love looking at the photos that we produce together or that I see on the streets. If anyone else likes my photos… of course that always feels good. Of course it does. But it doesn’t affect my sense of what I should be producing one bit.
How About You? What’s Your Passion?
Do you focus on what you’re passionate about? Everything you’ve just read in this post is very subjective. I talk about my passion, the things I’m passionate about. But what about you?
It’s easy to get drawn into creating photographs that are of a current particular style or look, or even subject. But, IMHO, I feel it’s necessary for us, as photographers, to really embrace subjects that we are passionate about. Let other people photograph all the other stuff. Focus on creating the art / photographs that really move and even inspire you. If we don’t, photography will become so generic that it won’t even be an interesting art form anymore.
Passion
Keep the passion. Embrace your inner weirdness. Inspire yourself. Let me know what you’re passionate about. Let me know how you approach shooting that. I love hearing stuff like that. It inspires me. Thanks!
Something Cool You Can Spend Your Money On

By Ted Vieira in Film Photography Projects
78 pages, published 1/31/2020
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