It’s a sad reality for each generation that we tend to gravitate either to the familiar – people we know – or to the contemporary – people who are like us. That means same generation, maybe the same values, maybe the same challenges, maybe the same likes and dislikes.
It’s certainly somewhat true for me and something I have to work hard to avoid as I get older. Even in this age of endless social media, I now tend to seek and follow people who are closer in age to me than to the grandbabies in the family. It’s not because they share the same likes and dislikes, but more because they share the same challenges of age, mobility and have somewhat similar general life experiences as me (didn’t grow up in the Internet age).
I think it’s important to recognize these trends in us and maybe from time to time to step away from them. Here’s a couple ways I’ve done that.
I retired 10 years ago. I knew I needed something to fill the void of working for a living, and decided that photography would be that outlet. But instead of taking the odd night class or joining a camera club comprised mostly of seniors like me, I decided to go back to school. Full-time. That meant connecting with instructors who were half my age (in some cases, not all) but most especially, connecting with other students who were in their early 20’s.
I worked for a big organization that put a lot of value into team building and applauding the differences in us. But it took everything I had to understand my classmates. I don’t have kids that age, so it was really hard. Their priorities were different, their experiences were vastly different and their attitudes were, for the most part, puzzling.
Suffice it to say that it took the full two years of that school program for me to begin to appreciate the depth of talent and insight these young people brought to my life. Also suffice it to say that I am eternally grateful for that part of my most recent educational experience.
So I do have a leg up when it comes to young talent. While I can’t say that I seek out the leading names in 20-something photography and videography, I am as likely to stop and listen to a young talent, if the subject is of interest, as I am in an older voice. And I recently discovered one that I would like to tell you about.
His name is Alex Armitage. He is a young photographer/videographer, and loves landscape photography, like me. So I guess we are starting out with some commonality. I first saw Alex as a guest on a YouTube video by Gavin Hardcastle, who is much closer to my demographic (sorry, Gavin). Alex did the deadpan schtick with Gavin perfectly. But I didn’t really appreciate this young man until I saw a video of his just recently called “Why This Camera Makes Me a Better Photographer”.
It is one of the single best pieces of YouTube content I’ve seen. Not because he makes me stop dead in my tracks with the quality of his work, not because the locations and the cinematography take my breath away. It’s because it’s one of the most thought-provoking, honest, articulate assessments I’ve seen on the topic. With all the marketing hype and arguments around gear, it is so refreshing to watch a piece that just tells it like it is for him.
I must say though that his base kit, somewhat surprisingly, is EXACTLY my base kit. He explains choosing these items not because of megapixels or statistics but because they make photography more convenient and fun. OMG, thank you. How did you become so wise?
Maybe that’s the hook, the connection. It is fantastic to see young talent succeed, but it is even better if we have just a little bit in common, at least in how we look at the world.
Check out Alex if you are looking for a fresh face on YouTube. You won’t be sorry.
oldgirlphotography.ca 