How do you define yourself as a photographer? If you define yourself in terms of high pixel count, luxury cameras and expensive strobe lights, then you’re dead meat. That’s like if Picasso defined himself by the paintbrushes he used, if Ernest Hemingway defined himself by his typewriter, or if Walt Disney defined himself by the sketchpad he used to create Mickey Mouse. Are tools important? Damn right they are, but they are mere trivialities when it comes to who you are as an artist.

To all the photographers out there, how do you define yourself? Separate from the tools you work with; what is the content with which you fill your blank canvas?

On first thought, you may think to yourself: food, landscapes, portraits, dance, cats and sunsets. You may think that it is the content you photograph that defines you. Sure, but I invite you to dig a little deeper and to ask yourself this question:

What are you saying?

Your answer doesn’t necessarily have to be a statement; it can be a question or even a certain emotion. Whatever it is, I believe you are defined as a photographer not just by the content you are photographing, but also by what you are ultimately saying with that content. By doing so, you include a personal imprint which not only makes your work stronger, but also much more authentic and unique to you, the artist.

So I ask you again, what are you saying?

You need to have an opinion. You need to cut through all the noise and say something. Think about it this way: Are you defined as a human being by the vocal cords you use to speak? Or are you defined by what you are literally saying?

Perhaps you are saying nothing, but sometimes that’s saying a lot.

What are you trying to say?

When I ask myself this question, I have difficulty finding an answer because I also have to dig deep. Then again, the answer is always the same. What I’m trying to say is that there is beauty in truth, honesty and vulnerability. What I’m trying to say is that we don’t have to hide behind the façade of perfection. What I’m trying to say is that we’d all be a little better off if we let our guards down every once in a while and opened up – at least, that’s what I’m trying to say. Pointing at the fact that I use a certain type of camera, lighting equipment or pixel count is of no importance to me. They are mere tools, vocal cords, if you will, to get my message across.

I’m just trying to be honest, and I want to inspire others to do the same.

What are you trying to say?

by Jason Lam