Radio Ga Ga (Part One)

I've been thinking a bit about how people say "do the thing you love as a job" and yet the same people would say "work takes the enjoyment out of everything".

I suppose I see both sides of it. When I was in secondary school, I loved to draw portraits. I used to buy magazines that had an interesting photograph of someone and sketch it (rather than face the embarrassment of asking someone to model for me). I really enjoyed sketching as it gave me a lot of focus and quiet, but when asked to produce something for Art class, I could think of 100 reasons not to do what I clearly enjoyed.

I honestly have to ask myself why, because it was something I just instinctively did. I wasn't too worried about criticism of my work (not that I think my drawings were fantastic, but they at least looked human). I think it was because drawing was my bit of peace and as I never gave myself a deadline, I resented any that was imposed.

When someone commented that my art was good and I should continue with it as a career I would immediately respond with "but then I wouldn't enjoy it". And I think I was right about that statement, Art class was proof enough. Even now it's a rarity for me to pick up a pencil and draw, but there are some moments of calm :-)

Photography has never been like that for me. Yes it's true that taking a pictures when I'm on holiday or of my family is a very different feeling than when I make a photograph for a client. But it's still, for me at least, an enjoyable experience. There are challenges that have to be overcome for it still to be fun, but these are necessary challenges. For me the main challenges are subject, objectivity and pressure. There are undoubtedly more, but when I deal with these I feel like my photography gets better (yes the challenge/opportunity cliché).

Subject - When it comes to paid work, I'm not always going to be photographing someone or something I know about or perhaps have much interest. But what I can do is find a way to present it in an interesting way and I like how that keeps me thinking. As much as I want to create a unique style for myself, I don't want to be the "photographer that does...", I'd prefer that kind of statement to be a list.

Objectivity - When I photograph my son it's easy to think the photograph is amazing simply because he is in it. This is the very thing that made me hesitate so long about working as a photographer, yes I like a photograph but would a client? I do a lot of homework now where I look at other peoples work and my own with a very critical eye (probably too critical of my own work but I think it's necessary).

Pressure - The absolute difference I think, between shooting personal work and shooting commissioned is pressure. When I do some street photography I can take dozens of pictures and be happy that I've got just one single perfect shot and discard the rest, not the type of service I would be offering to a customer. Self-doubt can easily take over and the only way I have found to deal with it is to be that little bit more prepared each time, confidence is king.

I'm about a million times happier when I've overcome these challenges and made a photograph I'm happy with.

Recently I've been doing some commercial work for TCR FM, a community radio station based in Tamworth (you can find out more about the station and even listen live here). All of the DJs working at the station are volunteers and their dedication to the craft is an inspiration. They are definitely doing something they love and should be proud.

Below are some photographs taken in the TCR FM studio when DJ Hanna Smart interviewed boy band FTW.

One last bit of news, I've set up a facebook page for Saol Photography so I can post up a lot more photographs that don't make it on the blog. You can find it at www.facebook.com/SaolPhotography or by clicking here, please feel free to give it a 'like' and add any comments.

Tom