Peeling masks
This summer I was a latecomer in discovering the series “Dexter.” It didn’t take more than one or two episodes to get me hooked, and then all of the sudden I am craving each new episode like an addict . I quickly went through the first 3 seasons in a couple of months. It is a brilliantly written series with a lot of rich characters. For those that are not familiar with it, Dexter is a blood spatter analyst as part of the Miami police department. He also happens to be a serial killer. His justification for his killings are that his victims are always bad people, typically murderers, that escape the law. He follows a guiding code taught to him by his father, who was one of the few who knew of his urges.
There is a lot of introspection on the concepts of masks – masks that many people wear to hide various things. Many of the characters have them in various forms. While carrying on an otherwise normal life – friends, girlfriend, kids – Dexter muses about keeping his mask on to hide his “dark passenger” from others.
Of course I began thinking about photographs eventually and this idea of masks. Both the photographer, and the photograph can have many layers of exterior shielding from those that may want to look inside. Hard exterior layers protect us from showing insecurities, self-doubt, and aimless direction. How many actually reveal their trash bin? Photographs can carry similar masks that may hinder understanding of its true meaning.
I wondered about how many layers we build up that need peeling back to get to our true selves as artists. How many layers cover a photograph’s actual purpose and inspiration? Is it necessary to lift these masks in order to access the true artistry we want to pursue? If it is lifted, will there be acceptance or rejection? Do we follow a code to keep order in our work or to make it more appealing to others?
It is fortunate that there typically isn’t killing involved when it comes to artists worrying about what they are doing and their purpose. But I have to imagine the efforts to keep the masks on are often stronger than we realize, subconscious and perhaps many layers deep.
First, great photo with strong abstract quality. Second, very interesting thoughts. I think that maybe it does not matter if photographer “wear” some mask which hinders viewer from understanding his nature and true intentions and cravings through his photographs. I think that if a photographer takes photos which please her/him than who cares whether it comes from his true heart or is it mask. Does taking wedding photography even though it’s not what makes you happy mean that you are wearing a mask? If yes, then I think that many professional photographers and especially those starting their carriers wear masks. I heard that a real professional photographer with a lot of experience can take almost perfect photo even in the area (of photography) with which he is not very familiar. Perhaps it is so but I still think that really perfect photos are only those which comes from within. From your dreams and heart.
Hi Tomas! Thank you for the comment and interesting points to think about. With your example of a wedding photographer, I think yes, in many ways there are masks involved – some imposed by the client – you must take this shot, this person with this person, etc. It certainly is a blend of what the client wants and the photographers own artistic addition. But I doubt they are acting completely without restriction.
Those photos that come from within are the ones I am referring to, not others that may be influenced by these other layers on top. Good thoughts!
Mark, I really like the photo — excellent. Since our perceptions are based to an extent upon our own experiences, and perhaps the masks we peer through at any moment, I’m not sure stripping away the layers of any photograph or photographer would give one true message or artistry. If so the results could still be off point from what the photographer intended and others may still have there own unique views.
A true message or artistry may only exists in the moment of capture because from that point forward everything is changing. Now if we had cameras which capture not only the image but also all the encompassing factors so that the view could “be the photographer” in that moment perhaps it would be possible — thinking out loud.
Earl – I see where you are headed – a USB port in the back of our heads that allows the camera to also record the electrical map of our brains at the time of the shutter release.
Mark, USB, that’s so 1.0. I was thinking more along the lines of a 2.0 solution, perhaps a subdural micro-implant that interfaces wirelessly to a “Total Moment” camera.
Yes, how silly of me – who needs wires?
Great thought provoking post and image. To me art is all about expressing what is underneath all the masks. People wear many masks all the time – they have different personalities in different groups or situations. That is just human nature. Although I know there are artists who work on commission or do work for financial gain, true art comes from within. It makes a statement about the unmasked artist.
Agreed. Sometimes I don’t know if I am looking through a mask or not!
Hey, Mark -
I think of this as being a cooperative effort between the artist and the viewer. I do try to invest my photos with some meaning, even if it’s something as simple as sharing the beauty of the world around us, but the viewer will ultimately take from the images what meaning they find based on their own history and personality.
Thanks for another thoughtful & thought-provoking post!
- Jack
Ultimately I think it is Jack as far as the interpretation aspect. Your example of just sharing the beauty of nature is a good one – that will be most appreciated by someone who also looks upon it the same way. But at that moment of the shutter release, I don’t want all them viewers around judging me. I have a hard enough time with doing that to myself.
OK, I’m going to put on my ‘son of a landscape master’ mask and respond to your interesting post. You are starting to sound like my father’s description of Minor White in photography school. Minor believed in the development of better photography through self-analysis. He said that art is one of the great faiths of the world. He taught that the photograph is a representation of the photographer at the moment of capture. Thus there was a great deal of discussion of the inner journey and this lead to the students becoming more adept at expression through photography. The point was to strip away masks and communicate more powerfully through the medium of imagery. These ideas were a bit strange to everyone at first, but they brought about more clarity of purpose and of seeing, end result, better photographs.
Thank you for your insights here David. I think most would agree that the hardest part of the journey isn’t learning the equipment, the technology, or the craft aspects, but finding that synchronicity between the image and expression.
Interesting thoughts Mark. I spent the 80′s and early 90′s photographing for a living. In the mid-90′s I stopped photographing altogether because these ‘masks’ as you call them were getting too heavy to carry around. I didn’t take a photograph again for almost ten years — it took me that long to clear my head of all the crap I had accumulated.
I’ve obviously started again, but these days I only photograph what moves me to do so, and I’m open to a lot more different subjects. If I like something I’ve done I’ll use it. If I don’t I won’t. I refuse assignments and I don’t shoot stock. It makes me a lousy pro, and it may be another kind of a mask, but it’s one I can live with.
I wonder how many photographers stop for exactly what you describe pj, the masks getting too heavy. Referring back to the show Dexter that I started out with, it is a vital part of his persona. Though in his case, dropping the mask means he looses other things important to him. I can picture the same struggle with a photographer working commercially – you need to make a living somehow.
Introspection has the power to help us to become better people and, in my humble opinion, become better photographers. When we understand ourselves at deeper level, and right-size our egos, I think we begin to see the world around us with new, clearer eyes.
I do like how you portray masks as layers to remove. Actors and actresses will put on masks to portray the characters in the play but these characters will be based on their life experiences. All this conjures up ideas in my head. Now I will probably think about this all day.
Thanks!
Oh, and I like Earl’s out loud thinking. Something else to for me to ponder today.
Good analogy to theater Monte. It is very much like that. Glad you liked the post. Always nice to hear when something I put here sparks some further thoughts!
Sometimes, even when we are trying to look at ourselves honestly, it is hard to discern if we are wearing a mask or not. Creating for ourselves or others. I’m constantly confused about my motives, if I’m honest. I *try* not to worry about what others think, and post what I like, what I”m happy with…but…
I like the colors and textures of these peeling photo. What is it? Bark?
oops, sorry for the late reply to your question Amber – yes, it is birch bark..
… and I agree, I often wonder the same about wearing those masks – it can be quite subconscious in their effects upon the way we see something..
Very provocative thoughts, Mark. Have not been to visit for awhile. Always leave inspired!
PS: Perhaps I’m blind or brain dead but I cannot find a link from your blog to your gallery/website… is there one?? I often times want to get to it when I visit your blog.
Very cool image, Mark. I like how abstract this is.
Thanks Diane and Richard.