How to Embody Your Hero
I am finally starting to identify one of my biggest struggles with making photographs and now that I can finally name it, I am here to talk about it and hopefully you can learn something from my experience and grow in the process. When I have a camera with me I am hyper-vigilant about everything going on around me. As I walk, I am able enjoy myself and be present in the moment, but the moment I see something that I want to photograph, something happens to me…
Step One: Identify Your Fear
There has not been an easy, one word answer for this, but to say it as plainly as possible— When I see something that I want to photograph, I suddenly feel anxious. I feel like I am unworthy of capturing the moment at hand. I feel like I am incompetent at what I am doing and I lack the confidence to proceed forward to approach what I want in a photograph. Suddenly the camera feels like a great burden and I see myself running away from the situation, rather than facing my “fear” and getting the shot. I see myself being ridiculed and stamped out of the art and photographic world because of my incompetence and stupidity for attempting to make such a photograph as this one… That, of course, is simply my fear and doubt stirring inside my mind and spinning out of control. It is the voice of self doubt that has been echoing from an unknown source since, childhood, who knows?
Recently, I told this experience to my wife and she said to me, “Why not try embodying some great photographer you look up to and admire when you are taking pictures?” This was excellent advice and I pass this advice on to you.
Step Two: Identify Your Inspiration
Since I started taking pictures, I have always looked up to one person in particular. My first great inspiration was Henri Cartier-Bresson (HCB). I really enjoy HCB’s photographs because, although his photographs are in black and white, they seem to be filled with color and depth. His work is vast, spanning nearly his entire life. Traveling across countries, crossing continents, exploring cultures, and all made with one format. As a photographer in action, he was described as agile; light like a ballerina, but patient enough to get the photograph he wanted. He was very passionate about painting, music, culture, philosophy, and living life to the fullest. He is quoted saying “the camera is an extension of the eye.” It seems to me like there was never fear in his eyes. If HCB wanted a photograph he didn’t ask for it and he didn’t take it. He reached out to a situation organically and his photographs became a physical representation his thoughts and feelings. Like a reflex with a press of a button.
Step Three: Know Your Inspiration
In order to relate to my hero, I had to learn all that I could about him. I had to hear his words, listen to his stories, see his face, feel his emotions, and see him in action performing the dance of photography. For my case, HCB has passed away since 2004, but his spirit and message lives on. For some inspiring wisdom I frequently pick up and read from the book entitled, Henri Cartier-Bresson: Interviews and Conversations (1951-1998). I also enjoy watching films that detail his life and what his thoughts were on photography. This one in particular is a favorite of mine to watch. Once you do a little research on your inspirational person and you feel you want to become that person, then you know you have found the right person of inspiration.
Step Four: Become Your Inspiration
I have literally said aloud to myself while I have my little camera, “What would Henri Cartier-Bresson do?” Knowing who your inspiration is is a good start, but knowledge will only get you so far. The next step is to become who inspires you. Whether it happens to be Henri Cartier-Bresson, Sally Mann, or Ansel Adams. imagining myself as these people when I have the camera in my hands takes the pressure off of me in the moment and takes the anxiety away. It gives me the courage to overcome my fear. Never has the phrase, “What would [someone] do?” ring more true than it has, right now for me. Suddenly the meaning is crystal clear. Not only am I asking myself what would HCB do when I have my camera, but I am also becoming HCB. So when I don’t have a camera I am myself, but when I have a camera, I am a photographer, and when I am a photographer, I am Henri Cartier-Bresson.
Step Five: Overcome Anything
For the majority of this article, I have stuck with photography and Henri Cartier-Bresson, but this concept of embodying your inspiration can be applied to any aspect of your life. Growing up, this phrase was a commonly spoken in my home, “What would Jesus do?” And now I finally understand why that is so instrumental for spiritual guidance. For personal development, find the people who inspire you for the subjects you seek improvement on in your life. Whether its reading, writing, speaking, athletics, or knitting, I believe there is an amazing person out there for you to embody. All you have to do is find him or her and become that person. It doesn’t hurt to dream big, so dream as large as possible.
Are there people that inspire you who you want to embody? Do you already embody inspirational people? Am I a fool for admitting I call myself Henri Cartier-Bresson? (Yes, probably). Let me know by sending me a message here in the comments. I would love to know who and what inspires you! Thank you for reading.
fig 1 - ©Henri Cartier-Bresson
fig 2- ©Jane Bown
https://www.tatispace.com/articles/henri-cartier-bresson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKBSkNuUqAc
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