am i an artist?

Photography is a balance between creativity and technical ability. I started on disposable cameras that I dropped off as a kid at the big box stores to be developed and picked up later. Since then, things have progressed for me, my gear, and my craft.

I started digital photography with a dirt cheap DSLR from a relative. He realized he would never use it due to how simple a cellphone is to snap a quick picture compared to this camera with all kinds of buttons, knobs, and toggles.

It's so easy to forget the artistic side of photography when you have a calibrated monitor, dedicated NAS RAID server, color calibrated camera color profiles, and a state-of-the-art camera with advanced focus tracking features, etc.

I always wanted to be an artist growing up. I tried and tried to draw and paint. That, in my mind, was what an artist was. But, my view of art was minimal. Today I realize that photography is art.

I like to say that I'm not a Photographer but rather an artist that uses a camera to create art with photography.

This is a total shift in perspective and very freeing. There is no such thing as bad art. This idea is freeing. It has allowed me to stop comparing myself to other photographers around. Everyone has their style (or should) rather than copying someone else.

So yes, whether you draw, paint, do photography, sculpt, or any other art form, you are an artist. So be true to yourself and strive to express yourself creatively!