What’s In a Name?
I posted an image online from one of my recent trips to Valencia where-by an individual took umbrage to the name I had given my image as they couldn’t reconcile the name and the intention it was conveying. They then proceeded to have a rant about people giving names to images in order to promote themselves as an artist. In response to this person, I made no justification for the name I had given to the image as I wasn’t about to discuss my rationale with someone whose only purpose in their posting was to attack my work. Had they asked in a respectable manner why I had come up with that name, I would have gladly provided my rationale. I merely responded by suggesting they use their imagination as I had done and consider the meaning of the title I had selected. I then addressed their comment regarding the reference to assertion that I saw myself as an artist.
Following my retort, I reflected on some of the debates I had come across online about labelling the person who has created a piece of work . These titles have included Photographer, Landscape Photographer, Fine Art Photographer, Artist, Architecture Photographer, Content Creator, Digital Artist and Creative to name a few. The discussions would naturally seek to provide definitions to these titles and the delineation of the boundaries between these definitions.
For me personally, I have no inclination to declare a perceived personal identity (label) related to my work as I don’t think it is important to me at this time. If asked, I am happy to confirm what my interests are (these are listed on my social media bios). I was associated with seven distinct titles within the Fire and Rescue Service, these were attributed to the levels at which I served at over the span of my 30 year career. On top of this I was addressed directly with other titles and dare say there would have been some less than flattering terms of endearment associated with my name out of earshot but that’s life and human nature for you. The formality had its place in the Fire and Rescue Service as it was contended as a means to establish and maintain standards in its day. Some may now argue that times have changed and the formality is no longer a requirement, but I will leave that debate to others to kick about since it no longer applies to my day to day life.
I know my website name contains the word ‘photography’ in it, but I couldn’t register a domain with just my own name as these were taken across various hosting services, so the term ‘photography’ was added to establish my online presence. As my work is based around what I capture with my camera, to me, it was logical to add the term ‘photography’ as it will at least provide a clue as to what I do.
As I continue my photography journey and in concluding this blog, I am more than happy to go about my business without a self declared label, as I believe it gives me the freedom to explore my creativity. I recall a scene towards the end of Star Trek Generations which sums up my feelings about the labelling debate and how I see myself. Captain Kirk and Captain Picard devise a plan to tackle the villainous Dr Soran. As they go their separate ways Captain Picard bids farewell by saying ‘Good Luck Captain’ to which Kirk replies……… ‘Call me Jim’