I recently learned that photographing a sunset is for amateurs only, and not to be taken seriously…

A couple of days ago I went out for a walk with my camera just before sunset. I enjoyed the colors in the sky, which changed during my walk as the sun got lower. Of course I also took pictures. I liked the photo above, because I think the light through the reed plumes is beautiful. I spend some time trying to find the right spot for the photo above, and I was quite happy with the result. So I posted this photo in a Facebook group I joined a while ago. Of course I joined this group to get useful feedback on my photography, so I was ready for some critique. The result however was a pretty big discussion on weather a serious/advanced photographer would make a photo of a sunset. Well, I do, but I am neither experienced nor serious (ok, a little bit serious). Coincidentally, the next day I came across an interview with photographer Stefano Unterthiner who had just evoked a lot of reactions on Instagram claiming that he doesn’t like sunsets (link to interview). Both Unterthiner and the photographer from my Facebook group have similar arguments against photographing a sunset. Two of them stand out:

* Photographing a sunset is easy.

* Everybody takes photos of a sunset.

About the first argument: photographing a sunset is easy. I don’t think this could ever be a valid argument. In photography, as much as in any other art form, the technical complexity can certainly be something to admire, but it is not a requirement for a good photo that people can enjoy. And I think this argument has been used and discussed in other disciplines of art as well (‘My two-year old could have painted that…’).

About the second argument: everybody takes photos of a sunset. Well this sort of proves that a lot of people enjoy a good sunset. The argument is that a photo of a sunset is not very likely to add anything to the already existing art. Or that it will excite experienced art/photography lovers, as they have seen it before. It has already been done. This is a tricky one. Of course any artist wants to make something unique (at least I do). But it is very difficult to do that, as almost everything has been done before. The dictionary of obscure words have made a nice video on the subjet:

The message is: everything has been done, but that shouldn’t stop you from making the same photo. It just makes you a part of a bigger picture, it can make you feel connected to the world as well. And I would like to add that the picture you make will probably be slightly different. So it is unique in the end. To make another analogy to a different art form: should pianists stop playing Bach, as it has been done many times before? Or should you just keep playing Bach, as you know it is good material, but keep trying to add your own vision?

But sharing a photo is something else than just making it. Of course no one can object to me taking photos of whatever I want as long as I keep them for myself. But the moment I decide to share it with the world, or a small sub-group of the world, I assume that it has some value. And then you can argue that it is very difficult to make a photo of a sunset that amazes people. But I have decided not to be disheartened. Of course I ask myself every time I share a picture: is this worth sharing? But I have decided not to think about that for too long. There are two reasons: I learn a lot from sharing my pictures, and I have as much right as the next one to share. So the second argument against photographing the sunset becomes an argument in favour: every one takes pictures of a sunset, so why shouldn’t I?

Before starting this blog I had the same hesitation that a lot of bloggers have: is what I have to share of interest to anyone? I was and still am encouraged by this article by Jessica Hagy (see her profile on medium, or go to her website). See shares her lessons learned after eight years of blogging. This is the first one:

Just put your stuff out there.
Somebody will like it. True fact.

So I share my sunsets here. I hope you like it 🙂 .