Paul Graham- Photography is easy, Photography is difficult

 Paul Graham's essay 'Photography is easy, Photography is difficult' highlights the highs and lows around what being a true photographer is all about. His essay speaks in an almost informal tone as if he is having an interview and being asked an array of questions by members of an audience. It allows you to really immerse yourself with what he is saying and allows you to follow on without becoming confused or overwhelmed through the way he writes this essay.

Paul views photography as "simple, basic" and "laughable how easy it is". In his view photography is about capturing your perspective on the world, it provides you with opportunities to make images all the time and all around you. "One moment may evaporate but a new one appears instantly". Overall photography is ever-changing and with some many things around you that can help you in making images, you shouldn't let the vast amount of choice stop you.

Within the essay Paul helps to comfort/ aid people who may find it difficult on where to begin in photography with so many options and choices at peoples fingertips. "Just start", in photography you never know till you try. If you have an idea for a body of work then go out and make some images as it will help your creative ideas flow better if you have examples in front of you compared to imaginary thoughts in your head. People question this notion that all photographers will almost plan every shoot that they go out on and have worked out every detail and variable. However, as Paul correctly mentions "don't expect to know exactly what you are doing". Would someone like Robert Frank or Cindy Sherman have known the normality of photography? No they created their own views, style and perspective. That is what makes a photographer great. Paul understands that there are some limitations but believes that photography can become so much easier if you just start and the more you plan things the less of a surprise the end result will be.

Overall, photography has no right or wrong answer. As Paul highlighted "you are free to make no sense" which is hundred percent true and it has so many opportunities that you just have to open your eyes to see. To leave you on the message from Paul that has inspired and motivated me to do more with my work, "you made something exist because you captured it".

In conclusion, i have found Paul Graham's essay to be insightful and provide a whole different outlook on how we view our work.