Photography as a means of finding yourself -- for real?

Photography can be a means of finding yourself. Art can be used as self-discovery and a healthy creation of one's self-image.

As a side track, I played The Little Walz by Ron Carter on my piano and melodica. It is also a combination that feels very close to my own heart.

[TheRobertpainter]

There are so many photographer videos on YouTube. Many of them are more about the video than the actual photographs. They invest so much time into production of the video and so little time to the actual photography.
You, sir, are a real photographer who speaks frankly about real photography. What really resonates, besides the echo of you voice off the walls of your low production table top GoPro camera in a minimalist dining room that we all love(!), is your candid off the wall clear joy of photography and these beautiful old cameras you share with us. You inspire me to go outside and take pictures. Thank you for who you are and for making these videos about your experiences. I’m always anxious to see “next time, something else” from you.

[carbonejack]

You are making sense...good sense. I'm 79 years old and still trying to figure out who I am. I've been taking photographs since I was about 12 years old. I don't have a "style" that would define who I am through my photography. But I've always felt that my cameras and my photographs were ways to be creative and expressive. Every once in a while I would have a "eureka" moment, but those were fleeting. I never consciously thought about photography and a way to look at who I was. And since maybe it wasn't conscious, it might be sub-conscious. So, maybe a little digging is in order. Your take on this inspires me to go on a journey of self-refection through me images. Good stuff.

[chrisbone]

I just read this quote from Oscar Wilde/Stephen Fry, it seems to fit.

“Oscar Wilde said that if you know what you want to be, then you inevitably become it - that is your punishment, but if you never know, then you can be anything. There is a truth to that. We are not nouns, we are verbs. I am not a thing - an actor, a writer - I am a person who does things - I write, I act - and I never know what I am going to do next. I think you can be imprisoned if you think of yourself as a noun.”

~Stephen Fry

[janemcleod]

This quote from Ansel Adams is one of my favourites - “You don’t make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.” Thank you for paying it forward Ari - I so enjoy the content you put out on your channel. I often find it thought-provoking and it encourages me to pursue work that is meaningful and heartfelt.

[IzzyLeicanut]

Hi. I agree . I find as I get older, I try to liberate myself more, to find myself, perhaps my truer side . Through my photography. Thank you

[stephenm]

Standing O - Ari I applaud your introspection into your photography journey. As you point out, at one level, this is a very technical pursuit concerned with exposure latitude, bath temperatures and times but also at the other end of the spectrum it CAN be purely about the smiles, tears, or pursuits of those beings with whom we are blessed to share barely a shutter exposure in the continuum of life on this earth. I love that you are exploring the less-technical and more personal side of the craft. For me, Danny Lyon characterizes this well when he said - "You put a camera in my hand, I want to get close to people. Not physically close, emotionally close, all of it. It’s part of the process. It’s a very weird thing being a photographer."

[danncorbit]

Jackson Pollack said, "Every good painter paints what he is."

[ejorbe]

Wow. I didn’t know I needed that. I have felt trapped in what people have labeled me to be that I have felt that’s how I should always be. Man, I needed this today! Thank you for reminding me to be me.

[doughaug]

I used to read Ralph Hattersley's column in one of the photo magazines, and then bought his book 'Discover Your Self Through Photography'. I need to dig that out and revisit the parts of my life I have forgotten. Thank you for the reminder.

[GrenvilleMelonseedSkiff]

A great insight into how we might think of ourselves. I’m retired now and can see how liberating this new perspective on self can be. I will have to ponder this … thanks very much! Yet another excellent video … I’m already looking forward to your next something new!

[davidwalsh]

Philosophical and thought-provoking, exploring deeper motivations for photography that most of us probably never thought about. From the ethereal and mysterious qualities of your chosen pictures I don't think many people would imagine you have a highly technical job as a software engineer. That's a good thing! The true Ari is perhaps expressed more faithfully in the photos than in the job title: you are free to be yourself rather than playing a role to satisfy the expectations of others.

[simonarmstrong]

Another great vignette of brain food. 👏
For a long time now, I’ve been trying to use my photography to gain a deeper understanding of my essential self. Something beyond the labels of others, or the limitations that I’ve accepted, or have created for myself. It’s really hard. I feel lost in the woods a lot of the time, but very occasionally, I feel like I’ve unlocked another piece of the puzzle. Each time I do, I feel I grow a little, but then get lost again. It’s a struggle. I’ve never called myself an artist, but maybe this is what it means to be one? I feel like the answers are there…just around the next corner.

[davidalexandrephotos]

A very Korzybskian video, “the word is not the thing it represents”. I love the last image, like a reflexion on life …

[robg]

I had to watch that montage of pictures a few times. Absolutely beautiful. I wish I could have taken just one of them! I think one of the great problems with our time is the need for some people to put labels on everyone. For me, its destructive. I'm not sure if my photography is anything more than recording what I see, but thats what I get for being left-brained and am greatly envious of 'the eye' of creative people. Very interesting vlog Ari.

[izzyleicanut]

I agree. My hidden haracter is manifested in the images that I make. That is the only outlet which I have to express myself. Thank you for sharing. Love your images. Deep and full of meaning.

[thisisframes]

Wonderful video, Ari. Looking at the images you shared I feel like you like the unknown, and you enjoy the search, without necessarily finding what you are looking for. We are similar, I think. It’s interesting that we both play a piano, interesting that you are a software specialist - someone who actually has to be finding solutions. But photography digs deeper, I think. Greetings, Tomasz.

[The_Truck_Photo_Agency]

Good observations as always. I appreciate your video!

[loupetho]

It's an important topic that goes to why we take photographs in the first place. Yes, photographs can show us who we are, but from personal experience, they reflect our mood at the time. It's like a meditation. Thoughts that mull around in our conscious or subconscious mind can be projected onto scenes around us when we take a photo. Sometimes the personal meaning behind an image comes later. I had this happen with a photograph I took a month ago, just before watching your video. Then again, does it have meaning only now and not at the time of taking the image! Looking at the body of your work is important for this. I love your images, though (and this may be because of the music), I found them a little melancholic, there was a sense of isolation and sense that you are still looking for something.

[jimpalmer]

Ari, Once again beautiful images plus excellent philosophy. I completely follow what you're saying and totally agree. It expresses succinctly what I'm feeling as I try to make my photographs more "artistic". This is why I so enjoy watching your videos. Thank you.

[jasongold]

I always wanted to record what I saw! It became an obsession.Super video! Bravo!