Artist vs. Technician

I recently asked another photographer to critique my portfolio (something I do at least once a year). I always choose to ask a colleague, who I work with or have a great deal of respect for, usually a fellow commercial photographer. This time I asked Peter Garfield a local commercial photographer and art photographer who I assist from time to time. His take on my current portfolio is that yes I know the rules of exposure proportion and composition... now i need to break all of them (as well as other great suggestions). I have taken a couple of weeks to meditate on what he said.

What I have come understand is that I have, for the past few years now, been a technician more than an artist.

The difference between an Artist and a Technician is vision... The choice that must be made is whether or not you dedicate yourself to your personal vision or just shoot what is in front of you obeying all of the rules that classes, books and lectures beat into you.

Yazi Vodka 1 light test

Trying to light like a college student (on the cheap) becomes a zen how to project for me. I love taking the most basic materials to make striking images. For instance, this shot is lit with 1 light and duct tape(the type you would use to repair AC duct work)and a makeup mirror . I thought that foam board made cheap reflectors, this duct tape I just don't feel bad about throwing out after I'm done with it. 3 or 4 pieces of tape bent and crinkled to order for just this shot. for what less than .50. It really is shots like this that remind me that my motto for photography (much like the rest of life)"think like a poor college student" still holds true even after being out of class for nearly 10 years now.