What motivates me and Photojournalists?

 

    There are various photojournalist in the world that are incredibly talented. But three of them really stood out to me. These include, Acacia Johnson, William Daniels, and Esther Ruth Mbabzi. The reason why I chose these specific photojournalists is the fact that each of them had a they're own style that I personally am interested in and can relate to in so many ways. 

Acacia Johnson, July 23. 2019

Image Source: https://www.acaciajohnson.com/ 

Photos from personal work "Sea Ice of Stories"

    To start we have, Acacia Johnson. Not only is she a photographer but also a writer. Johnson's style of work focuses a lot on the relationship between people and and nature. Her work is very aesthetic and honest. Most her work was also used in National Geographic. Her work to me is real. Second when taking pictures with nature to me is so difficult but she makes it look so easy, her images feel so clear as if we are actually there. She makes nature look like it doesn't even belong here on earth. As if it's from another dimension. Her motivation is her passion on  human relationships to the Earth's polar regions. She has stated "My focus became more and more anthropological. The people – very different people, who live and spent time in the polar regions, that you might not expect. So I am using photography now more than anything to investigate these different relationships that these really different people have to these really wild places." In other words, her inspiration focuses on her curiosity within the human kind and relationship within the wild places. How every picture she takes gives her an understanding of what the world and the people mean to one another. 

William Daniels, October 19. 2015 

Image Source : https://williamdaniels.net/portfolio-editorial/

A miner from the Koro diamond mine, near Carnot, poses for a portrait.

William Daniels is another that really caught my attention. Daniels is a French documentary photographer and a National Geographic contributor. He captures a lot along the lines of illness and disasters around the world. I love his work because he mostly focuses on social issues in vulnerable communities. Which is something I can relate to. In terms of using our skills and talent to really be a voice for others through our work. His inspiration comes from his experience with other places in the world who struggle with their own daily life. As he stated “It was important for me to balance the grim with the soft, to not see Central African Republic as a country where only people are starving and fighting,” he says. “My goal was not only that, but also to keep testifying to the consequences of what happened in the past and the impact now.” He believes in human rights strongly, and wants to become a voice for every individual who aren't able to do so. To fight with them in unity. His photographs to me hit so deeply. Such thick, dark, and truthful images that speak so loudly. 

This photographer reminds me of an example from the content video provided titled "Lewis Hine- A progressive Reformer" Where he focused on child labor. He is reminds me of him because his work was the driving process behind changing the public opinion and was essential in the fight for stricter child labor laws. In other words, they both had skill in being a photojournalist where they were able to change the world with what talent and skill they have. 

  

Esther Ruth Mbabzi, July 24. 2015

Image Source : https://www.esthermbabazi.com/blog/in-artsy

A homeless man poses for a portrait in Mbale, Uganda

Lastly we have Esther Ruth Mbabzi. Besides having the same names as her what really took me was her idea and her inspiration on top of her motivation. On why she takes the images she takes or how and what it means. Another reason is because I could relate to her in her personal ways. First off she's self taught, and how she focuses her work through where she's from. In other words, her motivation is the fact that she focuses a lot on her culture, to really be that other set of eyes where people can not only see but understand what its like with where she's from. She had stated how she loves representing her 

home to the larger world. She states "When you’re from a certain community,” she said, “there’s an unsaid sense of connection, respect, and responsibility that applies to the work you make, which in turn makes the work outstandingly strong.” I believe what she means by this is that whether what kind of artist you are, musician, dancer, artist, singer etc. Your best work comes out when your doing it from within. Meaning you're not just taking the picture because you know it will probably be in a magazine, but your taking because of how it will mean to you, the message and story behind it. 

Esther Ruth Mbabzi reminded me of Gordon Parks video. Where he talks about how it is being a black man photographer how it should never bother your passion and drive for it or any work that you do. To use your talented skill, culture, your roots and talk about them using the images you take. Just as how Esther has said it. 

Over all within these three photojournalist they really have related to me in ways I could understand. In terms of art, is what I am highly passionate about. Fine arts specifically. In relation to me and the photojournalists above, we are all some what motivated in the same category. Which is, to work within and strive for the unknown.  To put simply, when working on your craft the best outcomes and ideas come from life experiences, from people you come across, the environment that you're in and how you are as a person. To not give up to keep going even though you can't see where you are going. Trust the unknown and strive through. To motivating yourself through your intuition, not for what others want to see!

MOTIVATIONAL MAP 

Throughout my everyday life I have three things that I tell myself every time I need to motivate, inspire or drive myself. The first one is to remind myself that "Comparison is the thief of Joy." In other words, you compare yourself to people, doing that is only going to bring yourself down. Because you're too focused on what other people are doing and not what your doing. Whether you're an artist, singer, dancer, musician, and photojournalists, everyone has their own pace. Everyone has there own stages that they have to go through in order to achieve their own goals. Like a flower, or any type of plant. Each one needs it's own routine, it's own ingredients. The type of soil, the right temp of water, etc. Keep it mind, different process same results. The second this I tell myself is to "Just do it." Put simply, even if your questioning yourself during whatever situation or hesitate just go for it ! You though of it already, why pull the breaks. Trust the process and keep going, because it is always better to go forwards not backwards. It sounds very risky, however it's better than stopping or not doing anything at all. Lastly, to strive for the unknown. To trust yourself, your faith, and whatever may be ahead. It's a saying that why chase something you can't see. Well that just shows how much we really want it, how passionate we are about what we want. To strive forward something we can't see or touch, not knowing what may come. Just know that when your going your going, all gas no breaks. Eventually your results will always be better than what you expected.