THE PIANO LESSON
Image by Netflix
“The Piano Lesson,” starring Samuel L. Jackson and John David Washington, is a Netflix adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer-Prize winning play “The Piano Lesson” (1987) that portrays the lives of the Charles family and what to do with their family heirloom, a piano. While there are some differences between the play and the movie, both focus on Black American culture, family, and perseverance. My ancestor, Romare Bearden (1911 - 1988), was a Black American artist whose work illustrated concepts of history, music, family, community, and spirituality. Many of his renowned art pieces feature elements of Cubism, created by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, which involves the use of geometric shapes to produce abstract and fragmented visuals. His print titled “The Piano Lesson” was used as inspiration for the 1983 play and Wilson often mentioned his admiration for my ancestor’s work.
Image by Bright Colors
Taking a deeper look at this art piece, we can see that the main subjects are the piano, the young girl, and a female figure. The piano symbolizes discipline and the passing down of musical expression, the young girl highlights the eagerness to learn and cultural continuity, and the female figure represents wisdom and mentorship.
I feel a strong connection to this piece because, as a young violinist, my mom assisted me in ensuring that my musical scales were precise, in tune, and on beat. Furthermore, I come from a family that highly values musicianship, as both of my grandparents and parents played musical instruments, I played one, and if I choose to have children, I’d like to continue the legacy by ensuring they play an instrument as well.
I believe my appreciation for artistic expression was likely inherited, given that I am a photographer who enjoys studying various art forms and blending them into my creations.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND SOCIAL MEDIA
It all begins with an idea.
The influx of amateur photographers in today's digital age, armed with smartphones and a myriad of user-friendly apps, is a double-edged sword. On one side, it fuels creativity and democratizes the art form, but on the flip side, it has threatened to dilute the value of high-quality photography. Once upon a time, photography was reserved for those daring enough to venture into its depths, investing not just in expensive equipment, but also in honing unique, specialized skills. Those bold enough to label themselves as 'Photographers' were dedicated individuals who plunged both time and resources into crafting exquisite frames.
Oversaturation of Photography on Social Media
Now, with the digital revolution, photography is at everyone's fingertips—be it through digital cameras, smartphones, or an assortment of social media platforms. As heartening as it is to witness this democratization of photography, it has led to oversaturation that threatens to drown the intrinsic value of the term “Photographer.” In this new landscape, good photographers face a sea of zealous amateurs, resulting in a competitive arena where the demands extend beyond technical skill and gear. It now requires resilience, innovation, and compelling storytelling to truly stand out and uphold the prestigious identity of a “Photographer."
The Illusion of Followers
Beyond the immediate allure of the 'like' button, social media fosters a distorted view of what qualifies as top-tier photography. It's easy to equate a hefty follower count to photographic prowess. For instance, someone with a 15,000-strong follower army might be viewed as a photographic genius. However, reality often begs to differ. My own virtual meanderings have revealed countless 'photographers' with sizeable followings who perpetually recycle trite and overused visuals, particularly if they're algorithm-friendly. More often than not, such images are marked by a lack of originality and finesse, be it in composition or editing.
Unoriginality in Photography
Drawing inspiration and reinventing photos in your style is one thing, but a blatant mimicry of others with the hope of replicating their success is a separate issue altogether. I've noticed an alarming prevalence of this trend among several Washington D.C.-based accounts, making it feel like I'm sifting through copies of the same image. My own Instagram journey from 2016-2021 was riddled with similar unoriginality. But a moment of clarity prompted me to break away from the homogenized visual narrative, culminating in a fresh account in 2022. Since then, my commitment to originality has been enhanced by investment in better equipment and honing of my skills.
Quantity ≠ Quality
I fully acknowledge that photography can be a leisure pursuit for some, and they may not get tied up in the likes and follower count. However, a high follower count shouldn't be mistaken as a valid qualification for a photographer's badge. Seeing 'photographer' in someone's bio, accompanied by amateurish and subpar visuals, often makes me cringe. Having been immersed in photography for almost eight years, I believe I can discern between the work of a seasoned practitioner and a novice. And while there's no shame in starting as a beginner, a generous follower count should reflect a corresponding quality of work. This brings me to a notable psychological phenomenon: The Dunning-Krueger effect.
Dunning-Krueger
The Dunning-Krueger effect describes a cognitive bias in which individuals, deficient in skill or knowledge, mistakenly consider themselves better at something than they actually are. In the realm of photography, this can manifest as an inflated self-perception, often reflected in validation from those who aren't necessarily knowledgeable about the craft. Falling into this pitfall myself with my old Instagram account, I had to confront the harsh reality that my work wasn't as good as the 'likes' had led me to believe. With that said, my photography at the time wasn’t the worst but I still had a lot to learn. Photography is a never-ending learning process and we should be open to challenges, even if they are uncomfortable because it’s integral to growth.
Overall Takeaway
In sum, while social media and accessible photography tools have democratized the field and facilitated connections, it's critical not to get caught up in the allure of vanity metrics. For those embarking on their photographic journey, remember to remain receptive to learning and self-improvement. When following others, don't be seduced by mere numbers; consider their wisdom, experience, and passion. After all, the true measure of a photographer lies beyond the reach of a 'like' button.