The Vision Approach to Photography

Learning with Experts Articles
21

Thank you Brie!

Yes, for me it has evolved over time, but that’s because it’s taken me time to understand that real and lasting satisfaction comes from creating something that I love and am proud of, not something that wins or earns likes. Those things are nice, but only after I’ve won the real prize, and then those accolades are the cherry on top of the real prize.

It takes time, maturity and confidence to get to that place. Some get there early in life, others like myself, find it only after a lifetime of chasing the wrong thing.

Vision is simply how I see when I put out all of those other voices and concerns out of my head, and I create for myself.

Vision, when you’re looking for it, seems so very complicated. But once you’ve found it, you realize it’s so very simple.
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22

I agree. Will plays a small part in this pursuit. In fact, even pursuit is the wrong word. How about inactive pursuit. Disinterested pursuit.

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23

Hi Cole,
I love your statement. This is so true and, at least for me, tends to be variable. I have days when vision comes easier and other days when it never comes at all, and it all seems to depend on my attitude and my perspective for that day. This is one reason I now take far fewer day trips in favor of spending 4-5 days at a time in the field. I find the longer I spend in the field (or, in my case, the marsh and/or swamp), alone, the more my mind frees itself of the daily garbage of everyday life and thus allows me to see, hear, and feel what I need to capture. The difference has been astounding , at least to me.

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24

Yes, my Vision varies and seems dependent upon my mood, and other things I’ve not yet identified.

A story: when I was in Akron, Ohio, in a hotel lobby, and saw my first ceiling lamp, I was mesmerized. It just fascinated me and inspired me to create the Ceiling Lamps project.

And then, a few years later, I found myself back in that same hotel, in that same lobby, and I was anxious to once again see the lamp that inspired it all.

I looked up, stared at it, and then said to myself: huh?

It was completely uninspiring. And if I would have seen it for the first time on that day, there would be no Ceiling Lamps project.

I have no idea what changed, but my Vision was working on that first viewing, but not later for some reason.

| Bill Chambers
April 29 |

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Cole Thompson:

It takes time, maturity and confidence to get to that place. Some get there early in life, others like myself, find it only after a lifetime of chasing the wrong thing.

Hi Cole,
I love your statement. This is so true and, at least for me, tends to be variable. I have days when vision comes easier and other days when it never comes at all, and it all seems to depend on my attitude and my perspective for that day. This is one reason I now take far fewer day trips in favor of spending 4-5 days at a time in the field. I find the longer I spend in the field (or, in my case, the marsh and/or swamp), alone, the more my mind frees itself of the daily garbage of everyday life and thus allows me to see, hear, and feel what I need to capture. The difference has been astounding , at least to me.

1 Like
25

This article really resonates with me, not because I have found my vision but because I have been in pursuit of it for a while! Thank you for sharing a portion of your Vision. I look forward to reading your “How I Found My Vision” article.

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