Why I photograph, and publish books

I’m starting over on my blog. I’ve redone my website, added a shop currently offering downloadable eBooks and prints on archival luster paper, canvas and metal. I’ve completely updated the portfolio, redone the About page (now Story) and generally begun afresh.

So this blog post is my way of saying hello and letting you know what my plans are.

What I do and why I do it

What I do is fairly simple. I photograph, shoot video, write and edit the photographs, video and writing. I like to combine all of these elements in a multimedia book which I design and publish. A good example of this is Reflections of Venice – Art and Beauty in the Water. I hope you’ve had a chance to at least see the Introduction version of that book in some form (if not please let me know and I will get it to you). If you are not already on my mailing list, join now so that you can download your free 90-page eBook and also get updates, news, new blog posts, etc. 

My intention is to follow it up with a Kindle version and a printed book. The idea is that it is the first of a new series, to be followed in due course by Bhutan – Land of Happiness, Peru of the Incas, one or more books on Paris and more.

Why I do this is also fairly simple. When I was first getting into photography (as a boy of 10 or so) I loved the idea of being able to show others the world as I saw it. It’s the same world they see but a different view. I try to find subjects (especially people) that others have not noticed, or to show known subjects in a different light.

In this small way I can bring some enlightenment, surprise, delight, curiosity to others about their world. If someone reads/views my book on Venice and says “I have to go and see this for myself.” or “I never noticed that when I was there – I have to go back!” then I feel I have accomplished my purpose.

I also try to inspire photographers and artists to create something different, beautiful, interesting, unique.

I have written up my aims and philosophy in the new Story section of my website and you’re welcome to read that and also a new bio My Journey which is a bit more than a list of accomplishments. The Journey continues and I’ll try to keep some notes of it in this blog. I hope you will come along.

Here is a good example. It’s a reflection of a gondolier in a canal in Venice. I firmly believe I’m the only person who noticed it. Yet there it was! I took several shots of it as the reflection was changing by the second. The result to me is something that might have been painted by Picasso, not that I particularly noticed or thought that at the time.

Why not just take a straight-on photo of the gondolier? I’m sure it would have been a perfectly pleasant photo, just like thousands of other shots of gondoliers you see.

I like the fact that this view makes the viewer work a bit and perhaps it communicates more than just “here’s another gondolier in Venice.” The image is distorted. You can read what you like into it. Vanishing? Impermanent? (Like Venice seems to be.) The colors make for a more beautiful backdrop than the “above the water” scene.

Well, I saw it, preserved it and am able to show it to you. Next time you’re in Venice you’ll look for reflections yourself. Maybe, if you’re a photographer, you’ll spend some time looking for the unusual or unique and create more original work wherever you are.

Just while we’re on the subject, there is the age-old argument about whether a photograph can be considered fine art (dating back to the days of Edward Weston and the real early birds). Of course photography can be fine art, just as fine as any other medium. That does not mean that every photograph is a work of art (including many of mine)!

I really appreciate your reading this blog. I do know how tight time is and how easy it is to click back or forward or away. I also know that blogging is a two-way street. If you have a blog, please leave me a link so that I can go and see it. If I like it I will follow, of course. I really appreciate feedback and read and answer all comments. Finally, if you know someone who might enjoy this blog or my website, you can send them here https://davidcphillips.com/mailing-list/

I am on Instagram, two accounts: @photosbydcp which is general and @reflectionsofvenice which is specific to the book. If you are on Instagram and leave me a comment to let me know you have seen this blog, I will absolutely look at your account and perhaps (no promises) follow.

If this blog is too much or the posts too frequent, you can simply unsubscribe or let me know that you don’t want to receive emails when I post on the blog.

I am always keen to hear from you. You can contact me any time with questions or feedback.