Black, White and Pink ( 黑、白、粉)

Canyonlands National Park, Utah

< 另一個影像不能讓你感動的好範例: 我們站在峽谷的最高點，圖正中的石拱門至少有十幾層樓高。還有，頂著四十幾度高溫的大太陽，和十幾個小時的顛簸車程>


Black, White & Pink
黑、白、粉


As I’m pondering on a subject to post, I find myself asking what would be an interesting article for our viewers to read. Even though I feel there are many inspiring stories to share, I feel it’s as important to bring forth some of the issues mentioned by our readers and participants from the workshops. One of the topics that have surfaces in the past has been from those who are seeking to move onto the “next level”. Those who have learned the basics and are in search for beyond “cool” or “beautiful” pictures and asking where do I go from here?



決定要在部落格寫些什麼東西之前，我一直在想到底哪些文章是我們的讀者感到有興趣的。雖然我認為有許多值得與大家分享的故事，但是我想，把曾經來參加過工作坊或是喜歡到這個部落格裡與我們交流的大家，在攝影或是喜歡藝術設計的路途上，面對過的議題與想法提出來其實也蠻重要的。其中一項反覆被提出來的主題，對於已經知道基本層面的攝影愛好者，除了拍出”好酷”與”好美”的影像外，我們的下一步應該是怎麼走。

With one of my biggest wish being able to contribute something to the Taiwan’s art movement, I’ve asked “how can I help”? and sought to understand more about the way people approach photography and what photography means to them.



Unfortunately, when I make a visit to the galleries, I find myself spending more time looking at non-photographic works and became aware that the works that captivated me has nothing to do with images from a camera. So it’s no secret that I’m bias towards photography in Taiwan. To be honest, I’m bored looking at same images by different photographers. As well, through the valuable feedbacks on our blog and hearing comments from many of you at the workshop about your frustration with photography, I feel it’s necessary to scrutinize the way we are approaching photography and try to make some sense of our direction.



我最大的願望之一，是希望對於台灣本地的藝術運動多多少少有些貢獻。在部落格裡還有與他人見面暢談時，我常常問: “我可以幫忙什麼?” 我想要了解大家接近攝影的原因還有攝影對他們的意義。



不幸的是，當我每次到藝廊看東西時，我總發現自己在非攝影創作前駐足，吸引我目光的，和是不是經由照相機拍攝出來的影像，毫無關聯。所以，我對台灣攝影的前途不是很公平客觀就不是什麼秘密了。更坦白的說吧，我對經由不同的攝影者拍出類似或相同的影像，已經感到厭倦了。在部落格裡與工作坊上課時，聽到了大家許多寶貴的意見以及感受，我認為可以藉這個機會來好好的檢視一下整個攝影的環境，讓我們想要踏出的下一步更清楚。



So here, I will attempt to analyze what I have seen and heard about the photography in Taiwan and see how we can work together to grow and gain greater respect.



所以我在這裡，將試著分析我過去幾年在台灣看到聽到的攝影景象，或許在措辭與分類上有些直接或是不留情面，但是，最主要的目的是了解自己的處境後，看看我們如何共同合作與成長，並且希望將來可以得到他人更多的尊敬。



Photography has different meaning to each one of us and we have different intentions with our cameras, but it’s easy to generalize the photography arena in Taiwan into three categories: Black, White & Pink.



攝影對大家來說有不同的意義，而我們使用相機的用意也有所不同。但是對於台灣本地的攝影環境來講，我大致上劃分為三個族群: 黑、白與粉。



First there is the Black group.



The Black group is the technicians of photography who have mastered every technique in traditional photography. Being the master technician with proficient knowledge in camera, lighting and printing, he/she is able to reproduce any image they have ever seen. Generally their approach begins with final image in mind (most likely what they have seen before), and usually with intention of having an exhibition at a gallery or to publish a book. Next he/she prepares with very detailed technical information and equipment, such as the right camera with right lighting and exposure (of course using the zone system). Then he/she spends hours or days to get the right shot and spends just as long to get that perfect print. In the end he/she is fulfilled to have created the image perhaps better then visualized.



首先，是黑的族群。



黑族群算是攝影界的技術士，他們熟練傳統攝影與暗房的每一個步驟與技巧，他或她對相機的操作、燈光與沖印擁有強大的知識，或許也為可以原封不動創造出曾經看過的影像而自豪。通常這些人在動手前，就已經在腦子裡想好最終的影像，甚至連展覽或是寫書的意圖都有了。然後，他們準備了最詳盡的資料與器材，例如在哪一種光線必須使用哪一種相機之類，光圈要如何如何，zone system又怎樣怎樣。再來，他們會花上數小時甚至數天的時間，拍攝心中想要的影像，然後再花等長去把影像沖出來。最後，因為影像的完美或是超越完美而感到滿足。



Then there is the White group.



The white group is the “Wanna be”, who dreams of becoming the next great photographer to shoot for the National Geographic or some fashion magazine. They start with no idea in mind but acquire the latest top end digital camera to produce images that has been told as “good” by his/her peers or teachers. He/she then follows instructions on “how to take great pictures” and photographs nature, landscape, or beautiful models (mostly likely young and naïve college girls). The final satisfaction comes from knowing that he/she can take pictures almost like the “pros” and is able to join a photography group and talk about the latest equipment.



再來是白的族群。



這個族群是幻想族群，他們幻想著成為下一個國家地理雜誌或是一些頂級時尚雜誌的攝影師。他或她對於拍攝的內容多半沒有多大的想法，最主要是把最好最屌器材弄到手，把這些好器材所拍出來的影像秀給同好或師長看，以便得到稱讚。然後去買本攝影指南，週休二日去拍拍肯定錯不了的斑駁老街，照片裡怎麼樣看怎麼像瑞士荷比法的清境山巒，或是請幾個殺很大的無辜漂亮美眉來當models。白族群最終極的滿足來自於體驗到自己影像可以拍得像專業的一樣，或者是加入攝影論壇和大家討論最新的器材機種。



Finally there is the Pink group.



The Pink group begins and ends with an intention to just have fun. He/she is influenced by the peers and seeks the latest trends. After recognizing the simplicity of making “cool” pictures, then he/she gets suckered into buying two or three cheap cameras such as Holga, Diana, Lomo or any pocket digital cameras. Takes about 600 photos a week and posts about half of them on flicker or facebook.



最後，是粉色族群。



粉色族群最初與最終的目的只是有趣好玩，他們多半有同儕的影響並追尋最潮流的趨向。在了解照出很酷效果的影像其實很簡單之後，可能會花些錢買兩三個類似Holga、Diana或是Lomo相機，或者是輕巧的數位相機。一個禮拜照大約六百張照片，其中有半數會貼在Flicker或是 Facebook上。



Black, White and Pink is everywhere else around the world, but I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that those three categories make up 99% of photography in Taiwan. My generalization of Taiwan’s photography may sound a bit harsh and sarcastic – especially to those who just want to have fun with a camera, but I would like to make it clear that I’m not criticizing anyone in an arrogant way. I only wish to evaluate and share my thoughts on how we can grow by understanding where we stand and how we can challenge ourselves to build a better international reputation. It is also critical to understand that it is ok to be in one of the categories. In fact, those stages are important steps to take and should be preserved in a memory vault. But it is just as important to step out of those soft and cozy steps and dive into the unknown colors. Surprisingly, we may find that whether it’s Black, White or Pink, it’s more interesting when it’s mixed with any other color.



黑、白、粉三個族群，在全世界攝影喜好者的圈子裡到處可見，但是如果說，這三個族群的人佔了台灣攝影界的99%，我倒是一點也不驚訝。或許，對於台灣的攝影生態環境來說，我的分類過於尖銳或是諷刺，尤其是對於只是拍照好玩的人。這並不是高調的來指責或是故意的自我表現，而是我們想，必須要很誠實的評估我們自己身處的環境，才不會，又很容易的活在孤芳自賞又沾沾自喜的迷霧裡。我希望可以分享並不斷的檢視我的想法，因為我想要我們的這個地方，在攝影的創作與想法，有一天可以面對國際的認同。也只有真實面對我們自己的程度，才有辦法從這個點往上爬。



這並不表示，這三個族群是不好的。在藝術學習的過程，這三個步驟非常重要的，甚至，是必經的。但同樣的，從這三個舒服的顏色裡縱身一躍，跳入未知、危險卻又充滿期待的其他色彩裡，這個動作同等重要。或許你會發現，不管是黑色白色或是粉色，和其他顏色調配後將會有意外的驚喜。





Again, to generalize the photography in Taiwan, most of what I’ve seen lacks personal expression and opinion. Sure, I have seen images that I would consider to meet the standards of a “master” – technically that is, and I have also seen many images in a gallery that are visually beautiful and astonishing waiting to be decorated in the wealthy consumer’s mansion. But seems to me, most photographers don’t analyze their feelings. Instead they are more conscious about the audience.



當然，以上所述純粹是我自己在台灣的經驗與論點。不可否認，我在這裡也看到過一些影像，符合所有所謂”大師級”的技術標準，或是在藝廊裡看到等著被億萬豪宅主買回家裡客廳或玄關懸掛的驚艷美麗影像。但是這些影像，多半表達不出攝影者的情緒。反而是，攝影者與藝廊或是藝術仲介，更在乎的是觀眾而非原創造者與他的產物。



Cute and funny pictures spread smiles and laughter, and the beautiful images are a pleasure to see and it spreads positive feelings. Therefore they are no harm or threat.

But what about the images that portray negative feelings? Of course it wouldn’t make sense to spread negativism, but the fact of the matter is our lives are filled with negative issues that most people ignore or avoid, rather than talking about it to improve upon. No doubt spreading positivism is a wonderful gesture, but I believe there is a greater potential to take the negative and turn it into positive, than to take the positive and make it more positive. Therefore, most of the artists I respect are those provoking the society by exposing negative issues to get people to become aware, rethink and react to make improvements.



可愛或是令人發噱的影像可以散布歡樂，美麗的影像不可否認可以讓心靈的清淨與提昇。所以這些影像，無害也無威脅。可是，我們的生活裡，並不是永遠充滿著剛出生的一窩可愛小狗或是大家都住在靠山面水前院有花後有果樹五房三廳的大房子。每一天的生活，多多少少，有負面有不舒服有不公平有很無力的事情發生。只不過我們選擇看不到聽不到也不關心。那如果有影像是描述負面的感受或是情景呢?難道看到負面或是不美好的東西，就表示惡的散播嗎? 我相信，把你看到的美與善轉手散播出去，是很大的力量。但是，把你看的殘缺與不完美轉化後傳出，所造成的漣漪或許會產生波浪。有許多我個人尊敬的藝術家，把社會上非正面的東西在作品上表現出來，來刺激人們的覺知與思考，然後以行動力來反映並改善。





Granted that Taiwan is a well civilized, developed and educated country, I strongly believe that Black, White, & Pink approach to photography is due to lack of identity and individualism – which should have been encouraged in early stage of childhood. Unfortunately, Taiwan’s education system lacks encouragement towards anyone having a voice of their own. Anyone who asks too many question, expresses an opposing view or questions teacher’s opinion is seen as nuance and is discouraged rather than opening up for a discussion.



台灣是一個高度文明、開發與教育的國家，我相信，在攝影世界裡有如此多的黑、白與粉的三個族群，最主要的原因是我們的教育體制缺乏尊重每一個學生的獨立行動與思考以及自我識別，尤其是在幼兒時期。這個教育體制也同樣的，不鼓勵學生們擁有自己的聲音。當學生有太多問題、持相反意見或是挑戰師長的想法時，不僅沒有開放溝通討論，甚至會被認為異類。



The older we get, the more difficult it is to change our ways of thinking. Hence, I do not expect to see much of change in our approach to photography unless we change our education system by encouraging and challenging the students to thinking on their own. But then it would be foolish for me to think that we would have to wait for the next generation of kids to adopt this concept and voice their thoughts openly.



After evaluating and generalizing the photography in Taiwan, I believe the first step towards a growth is to open our minds to different thinking and open up to different ideas.



我們年紀越大，就越難改變我們的思考方式。所以，在教育方式毫無改變的狀態下，我實在很難期待大家對待攝影方式與做法能有什麼改變。但是，總不能像個傻子一樣，等到下一代的孩子來接受這樣子的一個觀念然後等著他們來開始說出心裡的想法吧! 我相信，如果能能夠敞開心胸，接受新的想法與觀念，將會是我們成長的第一步。



Since there are no drugs that can changing our thinking process overnight, it would make sense for us to explore the full palette of colors by taking small steps, by asking ourselves few questions. So for those of us who are bored with the Black, White or Pink approach to photography, we can begin our exploration by asking ourselves:

Why do I enjoy taking pictures?

What more can I say with pictures?

What do I care about?

What makes me happy or angry?

What makes me feel this way?

How can I use photography to get rid of the negative feelings?

How can I use photography to share my thoughts and help others?

If no one else will ever see these pictures would I still take it?



既然世界上沒有可以讓我們吃了後，腦子就煥然一新融會貫通的隔夜特效藥，或許，在五彩繽紛的色盤前，我們可以問問自己幾個小問題當作投石問路。對於已經厭煩於單純的黑、白、粉三色的人，或許我們可以試著回答自己下面的問題，藉著我們的答案，有條理的把心裡真正渴望與動力找出來。:



- 為什麼我喜歡拍照?

- 我還可以用影像來說什麼更多的東西?

- 我在乎什麼?

- 有哪些人事物令我高興或是憤怒?

- 是什麼令我有所感受?

- 我如何利用攝影，來讓我甩開不高興或是負面的情緒?

- 我如何利用影像來分享我的想法並且幫助他人?

- 如果，世界上沒有任何人(包括家人朋友同好)，有機會看到你所拍的照片。你還會按下快門嗎?



Basically, it comes down to learning more about yourself and approaching photography from within. Producing photos about you and what you truly believe.

It’s about having an opinion and believing it’s ok to express it as long as it’s for a good cause. I must admit, the difficult part is believing that someone really cares and that my work is contributing to the society in some way – but as long as I believe in my work, I must continue regardless of the reaction from the audience.



基本上，攝影裡所有的面向與元素都指向學習到更多的自我。影像代表你，影像代表你相信的真理事實，影像是你。只要是好的出發點，擁有想法並且把它表達出來，絕對是適當的。我必須承認，一開始讓自己相信自己的創作會有人在乎或是對社會有所貢獻是有絕對的難度，但是，我們必須相信自己的創作，並且不斷的執行，不管觀眾的反應為何。



This article may not be relevant to commercial photographers (whom I still respect though I may not show much interest in that particular field) but it is my intention to write this article in hopes of gathering people (commercial photographers as well) with common thoughts and interest to start discussions and strive towards the next step.



Any reply, feedback or comments on this issue would be a great contribution and a precious gift towards future articles on this blog.



Thank you for sharing.



這一篇文章的內容或許不是完全適合商業攝影的部份，雖然我對商業攝影沒有很大的興趣，但是我仍尊敬許多商業攝影師。我寫這篇文章的原意是聚集更多對攝影有興趣的人，包括商業攝影，讓我們可以結合更多的興趣想法，開始來討論並真正來執行我們的下一步。



任何回應、想法與建議都將是很棒的幫助。先謝謝大家分享。



Syko