I AM NOT ALBERT WATSON

I am no Albert Watson. 

Art is very confusing to me. What do I mean by that? The one question I have pondered for half a century is: What is Art, and who places a value on it?   Think any creative activity honoring God is Art. I am a photographer and woodworker, both of whom produce ART. We have designed and built all of our homes—architecture is Art. Linda loves painting in watercolors and comes from a family of painters. We love vintage automobiles and motorcycles—also ART. Our sons are musicians and write music—Art. God is the Divine Artist, the Creator of everything, and every artist draws inspiration from God's Creation—this is why I consider myself a Creation Photographer.

What is my point? My point is, who establishes and decides what is "Good or great" Art? I am also curious about who establishes the value of Art? Why is this blog post entitled I am no Albert Watson? Albert Watson is a modern-day master of photography. What makes Albert a Master among a million photographers? Here is his short bio:

Albert Watson OBE (born 1942) is a Scottish fashion, celebrity, and art photographer. He has shot over 100 covers of Vogue and 40 of Rolling Stone since the mid-1970s, and has created major advertising campaigns for clients such as Prada, Chanel, and Levi's. Watson has also taken some well-known photographs, from the portrait of Steve Jobs that appeared on the cover of his biography, a photo of Alfred Hitchcock holding a plucked goose, and a portrait of a nude Kate Moss taken on her 19th birthday.

Watson's prints of his photography are exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide. Photo District News named him one of the 20 most influential photographers of all time, along with Richard Avedon and Irving Penn, among others.[1] Watson has won numerous honors, including a Lucie Award,[2] a Grammy Award, the Hasselblad Masters Award, and three ANDY Awards.[3] He was awarded The Royal Photographic Society's Centenary Medal and Honorary Fellowship (HonFRPS) in recognition of a sustained, significant contribution to the Art of photography in 2010.[4] Queen Elizabeth II awarded Watson an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in June 2015 for 'services to photography'.

Back to my question: What makes Albert a Master among a million photographers?

In short, luck of the draw, right place, right time. Why do I say that? In 1970, Watson moved to the United States with his wife, Elizabeth, who got a job as an elementary school teacher in Los Angeles, where Watson began shooting photos, mostly as a hobby. Later that year, Watson was introduced to an art director at Max Factor, who offered him his first test session, from which the company purchased two images. Recognizing your own moments of opportunity can help you realize your artistic path and motivate you to keep pursuing your passion. 

My intent is not to shortchange Mr. Watson's unique style or abilities; it is to point out that turning a hobby into an award-winning master career involves some luck and opportunity, which can inspire you to keep trying despite challenges.

While I was in Hawaii, I visited the Peter Lik store in Waikiki many times to view his images and was astonished by the prices. All of his work is "Limited Editions," and as the editions approach sellout, the cost goes up—a self-taught Australian photographer.

Why can he sell his images for such astounding prices? His style, possibly, He loves large landscape images with prominent colors. Lik is best known for his panoramic photos, and the large size and overall quality of his prints. He typically shoots panoramas with a Linhof 617 Technorama camera, using Fuji film. He also shoots digital, primarily using Phase One and Nikon cameras. He prints most of his photos on FujiFlex silver-halide paper, which increases the light sensitivity and glow, and helps accentuate the vibrant colors in the print.

The list of "Masters" is long, each with unique styles and approaches to marketing their work. The list of good-to-great photographers who eke out a living selling their images at art shows and online is endless—that is my story, and I am very happy to live it out. At the time I am writing this, I am preparing for my first Art Show experience. I must say I approach this show with a ton of speculation, but one cannot know until one tries. 

Again, what is the point of this blog? I would say, in short, be yourself; don't try to photograph like anyone else, as a ton of influencers tell you on YouTube. Do it your way and enjoy the journey as you pursue your style. How to do that?  Remember, don't fear criticism, and shoot a ton of photos to build resilience and confidence. 

I am not Albert Watson, I am Jim Bondly. I love photographing God's Creation in abundant living color.