I’ve been influenced by David duChemin, indirectly. I’ve been to his blog, but never read a post. I’ve been to his photography portfolio and been amazed by the images, but never paid attention to the name. I’ve seen eBooks for sale at $5 each, but never bought one or realized the author. I’ve picked up VisionMongers, the physical book, in the bookstore and flipped through it, but never took the extra moment to pay attention to the author. Time and time again I’ve been exposed to an amazing photographer, but I’ve consciously failed to make a deeper connection.
A month ago (maybe longer, maybe not) I saw part of the video for the Zack Arias weekend on CreativeLive. The live video that I watched was fantastic. Watching Zack talk about lighting for photography was inspiring because he knows it like the back of his hand. He’s a photographer I’ve made a more conscious connection with in my own world (Zack and I don’t go out on friday night and pick up chicks on the dance floor). I’ve commented on his photography blog a number of times, I’m familiar with his work, and I’ve watched his photography portfolio critiques and wanted to record my own as well. I’m simply more familiar with Arias because I took the time to be. The one day experience with CreativeLive and Zack Arias got me interested to watch the start of this weekends event. And low and behold the photographer for the weekend long live event is David duChemin.
It’s a constant struggle to not allow the depression to consume me
Before talking about the CreativeLive event, I’m going to go out on a limb and say things are coming about very synchronically. Last night I had been tweeting about picking up duChemin’s book, VisionMongers, after Jorge Quinteros mentioned the book. I still wasn’t aware that David duChemin was the author of the book. And today, I’m watching David mention his book: VisionMongers. All of those subconscious moments of seeing this photographers name came flooding into my consciousness. I feel as if the universe has been trying to get me to notice everything for a long time but I wasn’t ready to wake up.
In day 1 of the Creative Live event, David duChemin talked about creative vision. There is a big connection to my own eBook, that I am forever working on. The current free portion is available for download and I’ll be updating it next week. After seeing this talk/discussion, I’ve set up a deadline to ship. I connect with discussions around the creative process instead of focusing on the technical issues. I believe those technical issues start to sort themselves out as you creatively explore your photography.
There was a moment in the discussion that really got to me. Yes, I got emotionally choked up by 3 simple words that came out of David duChemin’s mouth: “Photography is Life”
Photography is life is a pretty simple statement, so why did I get emotionally worked up?
Battling depression, I take one day at a time. It’s a constant struggle to not allow the depression to consume me. By the simple statement, I was transported back to times when I wanted to give up on life. Yes, medication helps me out a lot still and I can navigate those thoughts better but I’m not immune to them. I wrote the words out and stared at them. Photography is life. Little would David duChemin know that there would be a guy, sitting on the floor watching live, that would be so touched by a passing statement. I actually feel as if I owe my life to photography.
Photography is a huge ingredient helping me with my depression. When I have my camera in my hands I am snapped back into the present moment. Anxiety and negative thoughts can’t get me as easily. Going for walks with the camera refills my desire to keep going. I really do see photography as a life-line. And this is why I am so passionate about the art. I intend to help others through photography as it has helped me. If photography can save my life, I know there is someone else out there it could help too. I translate this over to the business I’m trying to get off the ground called Embryo. It’s more business focused and trying to help people realize that which inspires them – to leave the negative day job or keep the job but start to explore interests that make you come ALIVE. Interests that allow you to feel LIFE.
Photography is a huge ingredient helping me with my depression
In the CreativeLive discussion with David duChemin, one of his creative exercises for photographers was to deconstruct a photographers work to understand their vision. After that you would do the same for your own photography work. I haven’t done such an exercise yet, but I have instantly realized WHY I’m doing everything I’m doing now. It’s to help others realize that life is worth it. It’s about hope! Through my photography I intend people to see images that help them realize that beauty is still out there in the world. I intend to inspire someone else to pick up a camera and they may realize how much photography improves their overall mood. I intend to inspire people to do that which inspires them. Substitute the word “Photography” for whatever it is that makes you more present in life. Follow that stream.
Initially my goal was to change the world by helping donate portions of fine art print sales, ebook sales, photography photo-shoot sales, ect to the CNIB or related causes. Eyesight is obviously something necessary for photography. A blind photographer could go out and shoot photography, however I would want them to be able to experience the images they’ve taken. My grandfather had lost his sight later in life – pretty much since I really knew him. Before he left this earth, I was amazed at how he took everything that was thrown his way and kept pushing forward. I wonder if he was ever interested in photography. I wonder how badly he wanted to see the photographs of his grandchildren. I imagine him being able to see again now in Heaven, and I become flooded with happiness. I believe we can help someone to see again, or see for the first time. The goal since seeing the CreativeLive event hasn’t changed, but I have noticed the underlying desire or vision to help people see the light. And interestingly enough, photography is about seeing the light. Seeing the light is easily transformed into my issue with depression.
The goal becomes modified and completely fits with the name here: Nuwomb – New Life through Photography, Photography is Life, or Step out of the Darkness and Into Life. I watch myself stepping from a dark place, one consumed with depression and suicidal thoughts into a place of glowing white light and hope for the future. In that light are people that are opening their eyes to see for the first time. These are people that were once blind, or blinded by drepression. People that lost their eyesight for whatever reason and they now see again. I know we can make it happen.
Photography is life.
It’s about life. Step out from darkness. Do what makes you feel alive. Photography reminds me that I am alive.
You are a very good writer. I enjoyed reading what you had to say. Aren’t those three powerful words? I to feel very emotional about those words. Keep it up! Thanks for the blog post!
Thanks for the good read. I can’t say that I owe my life to photography, but I can say that some of my most trying times have been walked through better because of it. People didn’t understand why the day after my dad died I wanted to go out and shoot photos. It seemed disrespectful (why we “respect” the dead is beyond me anyway….they, kinda…don’t care) to them. For me, however, it was a release. From the moment I found out that I loved photography it has been my “go to” drug. When I’m shooting there is nothing else. There are no taxes to be paid, there are no deadlines to meet, there are no problems at home…there is just me in my world. I’m not so caught up that I deny the existence of problems, but for a while I am free of them. It’s like a vacation. You know you have to return to “normal” life eventually…but not for those few days. For that little bit of time every negativity is cast aside and I’m in my own utopia. More often than not when it’s time to come back from my “vacation” I’m rested, relaxed, my head is clear, and I make more sound decisions.
In short I’m glad I’m not the only one for whom this little black box of wires and circuitry has improved life.
Thank you for joining us yesterday Scott. I’m delighted that David’s Worskshop has touched you so strongly and I hope the next two days help you see the light even more clearly. Cheers!
Nice article. Love your message
I loved what you had to say. I am in the same place in many respects and I find photography a refuge from the dark places i go in my mind. I respect you were willing to open up to that degree as it can not be an easy thing to do.
David duChemin will always be one of my favorite authors because he talks about what you see instead of how to shoot a specific subject