Where have you been?

That’s a great question! There’s been so much going on I’ve just been on the run and so has my mind. So let me try to answer the question.

I haven’t been on social media heavy for a while. Does that mean I’m not doing anything? NO. I don’t live by social media and have been trying to meet people as an artist outside of it. I’ve been going to exhibits/events and I started taking classes at the Philadelphia Photo Arts Center where I’ve learned so much.

There I was able to show my street project for the first time to receive critique and feedback. I was very nervous. I’m in a room full of strangers, showing my heart and soul.. what I’ve been working on for the last 8 months. What if they don’t appreciate it? I always have those “what if” thoughts in the back of my head, At times, I’m a worst case scenario thinker and then work my way up to the best. But I believe in myself and don’t expect the worst case to actually happen but if it does.. i’ve already thought about it. (Confusing maybe but yeah that’s how my mind works.) Works out sometimes, other times I drive myself crazy. Anyways.. they enjoyed my project. In the first class I took, I had to analyze my images and think about what they mean and why I was taking them. We had to write about our work and eventually craft an artist statement. My classmates were very helpful in giving useful feedback to help me complete my statement. I now know what my project is and means (at this moment). I say at this moment because projects change.. in 4 months from now I may feel differently and have different types of images. I’m being as open minded as I can in this process. I like it, I feel like as an artist I am working toward something bigger than just photography. I can use the project collectively to speak on things. It’s not even about the photography but about what it means, the intention and feeling behind it.

The second class I took called “Finding Your Vision” allowed for a lot of critique on my project from others aspiring to create a project and a teacher with a lot of experience with art and creating a body of work. When I say art.. I mean ART. It was amazing to see how she would show us one of her images and then go on google and show us the painting that inspired it. She could look at one of our photos and in 2 seconds show us a photographer that made something similar in the past. Art connects across mediums, you can find inspiration anywhere. I am thankful for her wisdom and teachings. I left those classes a better artist and more critical photographer. I learned how to read deeper into photographs and their meaning. It was also nice to hear about the photos of mine that weren’t up to par. That is where you learn. Hearing “this is great/dope/nice” “good job” does not teach you anything. Social media is not validity.. neither are art shows. They are a pat on the back, maybe a boost in ego . If you want honest critique you have to take classes.. you have to learn from people who know more than you.. people that see differently than you.. people that have more experience.. and people who will be honest. There is always room for improvement and I know I have so much to learn as a young artist in the game.

Aside from taking classes I have been seeking to grow as a human being because when you grow as a person, you grow as an artist. The more you grow, the more you can include in your art. World views, history, culture, self, etc. it’s all a part of art. Everything that we know and believe become a part of us, which means it also becomes a part of our art. One read that really expanded my world view and history of racism was The Autobiography of Malcolm X. They don’t teach much about Malcolm X in schools. They want you to think he was an extremist filled with hatred but he was an extremely intelligent man that was far beyond his time. He went through many transitions throughout his life, and continued to seek growth and change. His world view came full circle after he took his pilgrimage to Mecca but people don’t acknowledge that. They are scared of his name and look no further into him. He looked racism right in the face and called it out and white America didn’t like that. White America still doesn’t like that. That’s why we have people who pretend racism doesn’t exist or act surprised when you talk about the history of racism in America and the messed up system that the country was built on (which still affects us today). There were so many takeaways from his autobiography and it taught me more about history than any history class I’ve taken. It taught the history that got us to where we are at this point in time. Also the fact that he taught himself by just reading was very inspiring to me. I think everyone should read it no matter their race.

Another read that opened up my mind was The Soul of The Camera by David duChemin. It talked about feeling your soul in every picture that you create. I really resonated with this. There were so many gems about photography as an art form in that book. The camera is simply a tool that you learn inside out so you can express your vision. It is an extension of the artist who holds it. Some people just view photography and the camera as a tool/instrument to produce a literal photo of what’s in front of them, so reading this book really made me excited to continue shooting my street project. It changed my whole approach to photography. The book inspired me so much that I created a feature page on instagram called @shotsfromthesoul.

When I’m in art shows a lot of the time I’m the only photographer there. Reason being, many people only think of painters or sculptors when they hear “art”. I’m trying to build a community of shooters who see themselves as artists. There’s a lot I want to do with this community as it continues to build. We can all learn so much from each other but it seems like everyone stays in their own lane. At least, this is my experience thus far. I’ve had OG’s in the game tell me that I’m up next… “after they’re dead and gone”. We all see the world differently so I’m confused why people feel if they make it, they have to be the only one. Our competition should be ourselves and getting better everyday.

I am finding somewhat of a community through the classes I have been taking. With my Shots from the Soul page I am trying to get a community together who are willing to collab, practice, share, and talk about the craft together. We will see where it goes.

I have also been studying the photo book of Vivian Maier and the work of Philly area street photographers like Zoe Strauss. Many other photographers have been in my studying rotation as well. I’m always trying to find ways to improve. It’s good to see why images are successful or what a photographer did to make you feel a certain way when you look at their work.

Lastly (but definitely not least), I’ve been planning for my wedding! I have been blessed to shoot a lot of gigs lately. Sometimes it’s a lot because I do work full time at a school during the day (well not right now because school ended) but I am very thankful for it all. I have been putting all of the extra money from the gigs right toward the wedding. So if you hired me within the last 9 months, you have contributed toward the wedding and I thank you lol. The big day will be here before we know it. We haven’t gone crazy planning yet but it is a lot. My anxiety levels are on 100 (maybe 300). I know it’s all gonna be worth it when that day comes though!

That is where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing for the people that actually read this whole thing lol.

Much Love,

-Terrell