When I embarked on this project I wanted to push myself creatively, and create some photos that would make people smile when they saw them. It is ultimately an ‘art project’, but what have I taken away from it that I can apply in my non-art life? Here’s my top 6 things
Back your passion
At the start of the Beastie Boys track ‘Heart attack man’ there’s a recording of someone trying to do an intro to the song, but getting the giggles and hardly being able to finish because he’s laughing so much. It doesn’t matter how many times I hear it, it still makes me smile. So this project was about me trying to do that in photo form.
I went through multiple iterations of this project, and had things work and things collapse. But at the very core was something I was passionate about and believed in, that we needed more things that made us genuinely smile.
Having that passion and backing it, is what I’m most proud of with this project.
Was I also secretly hoping that much like ‘Humans of New York’, my little idea would spread into something that allowed me to quit my day job and just spend my time taking photos and talking about them? Yes. Was I willing to play the algorithmic game required nowadays to make that happen? No.
So I’m calling the fact that you’re reading this blog a success, and proof that my passion won out.
Hamburger earmuffs
There is a great scene in the Simpson’s where Homer is despondent talking to Professor Frink about the fact that he can’t come up with an invention. Professor Frink suggests he think of coming up with a new use for something that already exists, and Homer immediately says ‘Like Hamburger Earmuffs?’. Professor Frink looks justifiably baffled and says ‘Well…sure… I guess..’ and before he can complete his sentence Homer runs away yelling ‘Thanks sucker!’ Professor Frink reminds himself to calm down, and then takes a pair of hamburger earmuffs out from his cupboard and says ‘These babies will be in the stores while he’s still dealing with the pickle matrix!”
What I love about this is that it so perfectly encapsulates the sad reality, that no matter how original you think your idea is, not only has someone else thought of it…but they’ve dealt with the problems that you don’t even know exist yet!! But that’s no reason to stop. If you can learn from their mistakes and wisdom (and Lord knows there are enough people on YouTube willing to share at least one of those things), then do it. If you can’t, just remember, you might be the one to work out a new way of doing things.
So whether it’s naivety, ignorance or over-inflated self-belief, just go out and do it.
Remember me
Part of the creative challenge for this was to get people chatting and relaxed to the point where I could capture a genuine laugh or smile. When I came to post the resulting photo, I could then recount what they were talking about when that moment happened. Pretty straight forward really. I mean, I can remember endless Simpsons quotes and lyrics to Guns n Roses songs…I’ll be able to remember the stories people are telling me.
Well…it turns out, when you’re also trying to focus on taking a photo, and you’re talking to 50 people…and you don’t start actually posting the photos until a few months later…no…no I couldn’t remember! I should have just taken an audio recording, or taken some notes…or really, relied on pretty much anything other than just my memory.
I do have a VERY strong tendency to think that keeping notes, or some sort of record detracts from ‘the moment’, or is a sign of weakness. But my life would rely a LOT less on things just ‘working out for the best’ if I actually took the time to make a note of things.
It’s not about the gear…but it kinda is
This project could absolutely have been done on my normal camera or even my phone. But there is something special about having a really nice camera, a fancy-pants lens and some proper lights that makes you feel like more a photographer…and the people you’re taking photos of, feel as though they’re part of something memorable.
So if you’re already putting time and effort into something, don’t be afraid to use the equipment that will make it feel special. For this project this involved buying a few things (like a background and a remote trigger), and hiring the GFX camera and a lens.
People are awesome
I was really hoping to use this project to remind people that there are still good things in the world, and that we’re all just people who want to be happy.
So I guess I shouldn’t be surprised at how much it taught me about how awesome people are. Finding 50 strangers who are willing to come to your house to have their photo taken, is actually really freaking hard to do…especially if you’ve sanctimoniously shut down your Facebook account. But incredible people like Katie Hull-Brown and Carol Nichols came to my rescue by spreading my invitation to their broad networks. Then complete strangers were happy to come and give up part of their weekend to be part of someone else’s art project. Neil from Fujifilm once again came through with an incredible camera and lens for me to borrow. People have said lovely things about the photos that I took, and best of all I got use the project to apply for a grant to do a larger project, which has been *checks notes…rejected.
But overall, it has been so amazing to get to meet and collaborate with so many different people.
It’s really important to finish thi…
If you look at the full gallery of photos, you will see that I’ve actually only taken 41 photos of the 50 (number 50 is one of me after I had just completed my 50km birthday run). This is partially because I ran out of time to get the full 50 done before I had to get the camera back to Fuji…partially because I had exhausted the local supply of people who were willing and able to be part of the project…and partially because I really liked the idea of doing something slightly ‘grander’ for the last nine (ie use the first 40 to try and rope some people I’ve always wanted to meet to be part of the project.)
The net result is, it’s almost 1 year later and I’ve only just finished the website, I still haven’t posted all of the photos…and I haven’t locked anyone in for the last 9 photos.
So I really wish I had focussed on not just starting this project…but finishing it too!
