In The Shadow Of Giants

A Quest for Approval

I always pretend they are watching. The photographers I admire. The photographers from whom I’ve learned. The photographers who continue to find new ways to tell old stories. The photographers who stretch me to be better.

A photographer’s journey is solitary, punctuated by moments of self-doubt and introspection. Every photo is a silent conversation between the photographer, their experience, and their expectations. The expectation, and somewhat the experience, is bound like an ancient, leathered journal detailing the history of every photo ever made. Every award made and every award that should have been made and wasn’t.

It’s filled with accolades and accomplishments, failures and funerals reflecting the invisible council of legends—figures who've indelibly shaped photography with a long shadow over the creative process. Each page is a photo frozen in time questioning "What would the masters think?"

This constant quest for validation from the watchers influences every decision, from the click of the shutter to the final edit or print. It's a journey of struggling to balance inspiration with originality. And to pay homage without falling into mimicry. The presence of these giants, though spectral, serves as a motivator pushing the photographer to transcend the ordinary, to work toward the extraordinary.

Every photo is fraught with challenges inviting self-doubt and introspection, compelling photographers to confront their purpose. Do they find their voice within the echo of greatness from the heroes, or do they create photos that are uniquely their own?

The past, the ones who are watching, scrutinize every choice, forcing the photographer to a relentless pursuit of excellence that resonates across generations, seeking not just to make great photos, but to leave a legacy for the next generation of photographers who will wonder if they are watching.

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