Awhile back I watched a wonderful film on YouTube called Looking for England that documents the great British photographer Don McCullin’s travels across the UK in pursuit of timeless images. At one point during the film McCullin says, “ Photography has given me not so much an education, but a lifetime’s experience”. Exactly! I hit the pause, then rewound and then thought about it some more. Then I listened one more time and wrote down what McCullin said.
McCullin says hits the nail on the head and what he says mirrors my own feelings about photography and what I call living a photographic life. I’ve written before how making photographs is a means to something much larger for me … the life experience that surrounds making them. I’ll give you an example. I got a phone call about a week ago from a friend of mine who also happens to be my barber. The last time I was in to get a haircut I noticed a scene across the street that really excited me, but didn’t lend itself to a photograph … then … because there were parked cars obscuring the scene I wished to capture. We talked about the whole thing until his next customer arrived and agreed he would call me whenever the cars were gone.
True to his promise he was calling to let me know the coast was clear; I should get over there ASAP! Now that’s a tue friend, and this act of friendship for which I am extremely grateful was the result of my interest in photography. Making the picture was very nice. What was really special was that someone made the effort and took the time to do what he promised knowing that it meant something to me. People like that are the true keepers in life!
Photography does provide an education as you make your pictures over the course of a lifetime, but there’s so much more! It is as McCullin says it’s a lifetime’s experience. My friend’s act of true friendship was just one of so many examples of important and wonderful life experiences I have had as a result of being out and about in the pursuit of meaningful pictures.
Another experience that will always be special to me occurred several years ago when I was in Philadelphia to photograph a famous parade. I arrived; only to have it raining as the big event was scheduled to begin. Nope … a rain delay and I was starting to get pretty wet. What to do? Duck into one of the many crowded bars or find something relatively dry to stand under? Lucky for me I noticed a small rain protected spot that had attracted some Philadelphia police officers that were also waiting for the parade to start. Perfect! I made a beeline over there and quickly introduced myself upon arrival. Ended up having a great conversation with them … for almost an hour! I asked a lot of goofy questions, like why are there so many different Philadelphia police hats, including my favorite – the zippy little number that looks like the top is folded down on both sides. I learned a lot and I had a heck of a good time chatting with them while waiting for the rain to finally stop. I also managed to make a photograph I’ve subsequently exhibited and I am quite fond of.
That picture I made was not what I expected when I left my house for the parade but it turned out to be an unintended surprise and real keeper. I ended up having a great time with Philly’s Finest and got an important (to me) photograph to show for it. The parade finally happened and was a lot of fun, but the results were not nearly as interesting or as meaningful as my found surprise and the experience I had that fine day surrounding it.
There are many other photography enabled life experiences I can think of. I consider myself truly lucky for all of these … and those I’ve yet to have!
Stay safe,
Michael