Nearly 6 years into this project and after 8,000 hours of deliberate practice learning photography, I am 80% of the way through this project, and perhaps should be 80% of an expert. This makes me feel pressured with regard to how little has been achieved in the 80% and how far there is to go in the remaining 20%!
Click above to go straight to top images – below for more content including progress towards goals, skill development and analysis of time spent.
Structure
This post broadly follows the same structure as the review at 4,000 hours and is split into the following sections:
Goals Set at 5,000 Hours
The overall purpose of this project is to learn to create more original and aesthetically pleasing images [based on photographic art]. In doing so I want to test the theory that 10,000 hours of deliberate practice can make an expert.
Most of the goals for the second half of this project, (defined in the “5,000 Hours – Half Way” post), relate to the acquisition of distinctions. However, the possibly more important part is finding a style and artistic voice.
Aspirations for Distinctions
Distinctions awarded by the major photographic art institutions are the most credible and objective measure of expertise that I have easily available to me. So I can use them to monitor my progress. Applying for these is also valuable learning experience in and of itself.
RPS
The most important and challenging goal is a Fellowship. Associateship panel submitted by 8,000 hours and awarded by today’s date. See: “Road to an RPS Associateship in Landscape Photography”
A Fellowship is definitely a stretch goal for the remaining 2,000 hours.
FIAP
Enough acceptances achieved for an EFIAP so long as the requirement for prints is still suspended.
PAGB
CPAGB still eludes me, let alone the DPAGB. I will continue despite the fact that these distinctions rely on the almost immediate judging of pictures, which tends to favour natural history photography rather than the less immediately impactful images I submit. [Perhaps this is just an excuse.]
Style Development
Over the last few years I have enjoyed shooting in many different genres: landscapes, street photography, still life and creative composites; colour and monochrome. The areas where I have least experience: natural history, sport and documentary, are also the areas where I have least interest.
Areas of photography, and art in general, that most interest me are definitely abstraction and surrealism. My Magritte inspired self-portraits in suit with bowler hat were created as a bit of fun, but have done well in competitions. Most recently my “Moving Clouds” image, right, gained first place in the Stoke Poges Photographic Club’s PDI competition 17/10/23
I want to explore the feasibility of recreating the images of René Magritte to deliver his message in a contemporary style. A fellowship in the above area would either be in the visual arts or contemporary group.
Knowledge of Leading Contemporary Photographers and Artists
My knowledge of the art world, as demonstrated by my recent post “Most Influential Photographers and Other Artists“, has improved from the person I was in 2017.
This will definitely have to improve as I embark on a path to an RPS Fellowship, taking surrealism more seriously.
Top Images
“Minimalist Old Pier Swanage”
“Migrant Mother”
My take on Dorothea Lange’s original.
“Afghan Woman”
My take on Steve McCurry’s “Afghan Girl” that famously featured on the front of National Geographic magazine.
“Hidden Self-Portrait”
Not exactly a unique idea but my version has been well received including coming first in the Amersham Photographic Society’s PDI competition on 09/10/23.
“Movement in the Turbine Hall”
7 frame multiple exposure.
Simple in principle, very tricky and painstaking in practice.
“Magritte Stole Corfe Castle”
Reinterpretation of René Magritte’s (1959) “The Castle of the Pyrennes” using images shot in Kefalonia, Dorset and Stoke Poges.
The picture represents escape, hope and travel.
“Magritte goes to Lambourne”
Reimagining of René Magritte’s 1953 “Golconda” using the Lambourne Golf Club and self portraiture
“My Double Secret”
Reimagining of René Magritte’s 1927 “Double Secret”. Composite of:
- Self portrait
- Babbage’s Difference Engine
- Dorset seascape
- Wallpaper in author’s study recoloured
“Vilnius Post Soviet Realism”
Multiple exposure dreamscape reminiscent of the artistic style dominant in Lithuania after the soviet occupation
“Vilniaus g. 10 Post SR”
Two image multiple exposure both including reflections in puddles intended to throw the viewer off balance – the building dominating the top half of the image is actually a reflection and what looks like a reflection at the base of the image is an inverted street scene.
How Time has been Spent
On average I’ve spend half my time in “Doing” activities, i.e., shooting, editing and processing and half either learning and reviewing what I’ve learnt, e.g., writing this post.
The increase in processing vs shooting time reflects my developing interest in abstract and surrealist photography which both require time in photoshop. I think, for me, this is a good thing.
[Activities which count as contributing time to deliberate practice were defined at the start of this project.]
Notes
Recent posts:
Related Posts:
- At Zero Hours
- After 100 Hours
- After 250 Hours
- After 500 Hours
- After 1,000 Hours
- The First 2,500 Hours – Review at 25%
- Time Analysis at 3,000 Hours
- The First 4,000 Hours – Review at 40%
- Half Way – After 5,000 Hours
- Two Thirds of an Expert Photographer
- After 9,000 Hours – 90% Review
- Goal Achieved – Final Review