The other day, the day I was writing this, I had an epiphany. It was not just about solving a problem that sprang to my mind just then, it was actually a revelation. And like ever so often, it was initiated by what somebody else pointed out.
Before I go on and dive into "the new shit that has come to light", let's put a pin into the above and let me tell you what's been constantly nagging in the back of my mind ever since I'm trying to figure out what I want to do with my photography.
Photography as a hobby can be a blessing for anybody who is able to acquire and operate a camera. First achievements are easy enough to reach by sticking to easy motives and clichés. Really good photographs by hobbyists can often be the result of chance - misleading many to believe that one perfect image proves their talent. Most of these hobbyists have no focus as to what they photograph - every topic is their domain. There is no consistency in their "work", there is no style that can be associated to them and there is certainly no such thing as a portfolio. Ignorance is bliss as they say and as long as such hobbyists remain ignorant towards these shortcomings, they enjoy their hobby. When the ignorance vanishes, photography as a hobby is turning into a curse and the identity crisis looms.
What is my photographic work about? What should I focus on to improve my portfolio and develop a style of my own? Can my work be categorized in a genre, so that it's easier to attract people to my work and find like-minded photographers to learn from?