I Want To Be Alone

Spontaneous yet purposefully composed photos like this are hard to get with having the luxury to move at your own pace while instantly reacting to what's going on around you. In other words, they're easier to pull off when you're working solo.

A recent article in the New York Times posited the idea that creative people are more productive working alone than in groups. I doubt this is true in every situation but I'm sure it's true for me when it comes to photography. I produce my best work when I'm either alone or working with a single subject.

This is mostly because I mainly do either street photography, family candids, events, or portraits; however, I wouldn't be enthusiastic about having company around even if I was shooting a still life or landscape. I feel the same about working with an assistant. I rarely need one. Even when I do, it's hard to find someone who knows how to avoid being a distraction to either me or my subject.

I need to be able to relax and concentrate on the task at hand, without worrying about having to listen to someone else, carry on a conversation, keep up with them, or force them to wait while I'm "working a scene." They don't understand why I'm taking so long, why I'm not paying attention to what they're saying, or where I disappeared to. Company also makes it hard to be unobtrusive, especially when your companion(s) don't feel any particular need to be unobtrusive themselves.

My impression is that most photographers feel this way. On the other hand, I've never asked, so that's what I'm doing now: Do you prefer to work alone? Are there situations where you are more productive working with one or more other people. If so, when, how, and why? It would be interesting to know whether I'm alone in this attitude or in the majority.

Comments

[Janne]

Mostly I agree, though it's a question of degrees, not an absolute.

The pictures I'm most satisfied with have mostly come about when I've been alone. And it's pretty much impossible for me to get something really good when I'm out with a group.

My wife is a special case, though. She is patient and understanding about this, and she simply melts into the background the moment she sees me reaching for my light meter. Occasionally she acts as an "alibi"; it's much less socially awkward to take pictures of, say, young women or children when she is with me than when I'm alone. Some of my favourite images have been taken when out with her.

It depends a good deal on who your companion is, is what I guess I'm trying to say.

[Rene Theberge]

Gordan,

I've done a lot of macro photography over the years which can take a lot of concentration, patience, lengthy set up times and then, sometimes, just waiting until everything is just right. I've always found it frustrating to have others around when I do this work as they usually do not have the patience nor do they understand why I just wait for as much as a half hour for just the right moment.

On the other hand, when I'm out shooting landscapes in remote areas, it can be nice to have another photographer, of similar mind and temperament, around in case something goes wrong.

Rene

[jean-louis salvignol]

Perfect concentration and total willingness are absolutely critical when it comes to capture these brief bursts of reality that are the essence of Photograhy, and try to grasp the significance of this tension between a man and the rest of the world whose name is life.

To expect to be free in his movements and the master of his choices we must necessarily be alone. We have so much in ourselves of censures blockages, inhibitions.

Hunting in pack is outside the field of photography: we can't be creative if we are safe.

I deliberately left aside here this wonderful activity that is "family photography" who may also be pure art(Sally Mann), or the jubilation of "leisure photography"" with a dandy wizard like J-H Lartigue.

[Ranjit Grover]

Gordon,
You are absolutely right. There is no way one can "work" with some one watching over you. It is a major hurdle. If you went out with some one to the street all the pictures would turn out to be just "tourist" sort of pictures!
I think it is a universal truth.
Ranjit Grover,
India
rkg1944@gmail.com

[Jorge Quinteros]

Among other small nuances, this idea of "photographing alone" is something I think a lot photographers prefer to do but I think it's strongly dependent upon the type of shooting their doing. As far as street photography is involved, I too prefer to mostly venture out on my end because despite how much I enjoy engaging in great conversation and just overall having great accompany along, the person I may be with may not understand the extra time that I would want to dedicate to taking shot.

What I've noticed about people who are not "into photography" is that for them, taking a photo revolves around the concept of snapping and moving along where's someone like myself would take a photograph and linger around a bit to see what else would ensue. I wrote a bit about why I sometimes prefer to photograph solo. Needless to say, I agree with you 100%.

[Edd Fuller]

I feel a bit inhibited when there is anyone watching while I photograph, which of course makes street photography quite a challenge for me. But no, I do not want to have a companion with me when I am taking pictures. I find that it causes me to rush, and the resulting pictures tend to be superficial.

However, I can imagine the possibility of productive creative synergy between two like-minded photographers working together. Perhaps I should push myself out of my comfort zone a bit and try it.

[Christian]

I certainly do my best work when I am shooting completely solo, and I believe it's for the same reasons mentioned in the post and the comments already. I do have a few photographer friends with whom I would happily go on photo-walks. These are people who are as comfortable as I am with lingering and with wandering distractedly when something catches their eye. The result of these kind of paired photo outings (I haven't shot in a group larger than three so far) is a sort of multiple people shooting alone. We converse occasionally, but mostly work near each other but quietly, often one wandering away from the other for periods of time.

That's actually a very pleasant kind of way to work, but it has not led me to my strongest images. For those, I have always been truly working in isolation.

[cfw]

Unless I'm with family or friends taking snapshots, or out doing something else with others and I have my camera when a particularly good shot comes into view, my photography is always done solo, always. I never thought about or chose it that way, but it never occurred to me to go out and consciously take pictures unless I was alone. It would be like mixing oil and water.

[Florian Freimoser]

I also prefer to photograph alone most of the time. However, I have been taking photographs with my son or one of my daughters a couple of times, which was a very nice experience.

When I photograph on hikes or trips with my whole family I often feel the need to hurry so that they do not have to wait for too long. Consequently, I am often not completely satisfied with the photographs. The more the children become interested in photography and the more patient they become, the more comfortable I feel stopping and taking time to photograph if something catches my eye.

[Fred]

Gordon,
I too like street photography, I enjoy doing it and viewing the work of others.
So when my wife and I go into Manhattan, to 'hang out' or do something in particular, like going to a museum or street fair, I have such mixed feelings.
I always bring my camera, and I know my wife doesn't understand when I get that "dog on the hunt" look and go walking off, not listening to her comments, sniffing out a possible great shot.
But she likes window shopping, and that becomes my opportunity!

[Marivic Pinedo]

I feel I get more creative results when I'm alone and enjoy myself more. Having people around makes me feel like there is an audience and that audience has expectations. I've found myself in situations where I bring my camera with groups and then all of a sudden I'm the person with the camera: "Hey, wouldn't this be a great shot? Take a picture of this!" Ugh. On the other hand, my husband can do without me and the camera because I stop every half block to take a picture of something and he feels I'm not present when we're supposed to be having our couple time. It makes sense. Taking photos is a way for me to escape and disappear. I'm not much of a "Look over here" photographer. More candids and "fine art."

[Lesley]

Living in a place where the landscape is mostly shades of (dark) green and grey, I revel in being able to capture the colours, movement and people of foreign places. However, I now seldom travel alone and have experienced a certain amount of frustration from the sense of being torn between wanting to be a good travel companion and wanting to concentrate on what I am photographing.
So, it's a compromise. If I travel with a my usual group of three or four, I am primarily a travel companion and a photographer around the edges. My husband however, is used to my obsession and is willing to stop the car, turn around, read a book or take a nap while I photograph for a while--and I do enjoy his company.
On the other hand, it is still true that my best work has been done when I am by myself and have only myself, my camera and whatever is in front of me to concern myself with.

[Lois Elling]

It's interesting to me to read your post and these comments because I wholeheartedly agree. I've long known that I do my best "work" when I'm alone because I can take my time. If I'm out with someone, I worry about keeping them waiting, looking silly trying to get a certain perspective, or what they'll think of my shots later (most of which I'll never share). On trips or with others, I just figure my pictures are going to be snapshots, which is OK sometimes. However, I have been out shooting with a photography meet-up group and it's always interesting how other people see different pictures in the same area. That can be a good learning experience.

[Dennis Ernst]

It's interesting to read the other post about why most prefer to solo for their best work. I too find myself in that crowd.

For me the reason is that alone, I can let myself quiet down long enough for the inspiration to come, to see that shot and the creativity flow. Too many distractions impede the flow and make it more difficult for me to find my "groove".

I do know those who feed on the energy of others around them, and seem to need the stimulation to get their juices going. I've watched this closely but never had much luck with it myself.

[Wolfgang Lonien]

Yes. Definitely.

[Sven W]

I rarely take a camera with me when I'm on my own; I generally carry a compact camera on a bushwalk or group activity. Many of my photos are in the "street photography" style but with a friend or three in the frame. Most shots are candid but I'll occasionally pose a shot - either to [badly] re-create a moment or stage a [silly] idea.

I'm slowly improving and my friends are reasonably comfortable appearing in my photos.

[Ian F]

I agree with your sentiments, wholeheartedly. I'm a very social person and enjoy the company of others but it is just a fact that the distraction of someone else's agenda really does affect what limited creativity I can muster. The internal dialogue needs to be unhindered by the need to keep up chatty conversation, explain or justify a particular end goal or method. You hit the nail on the head.