Topic 1 - Mirrors and Windows - Reflection

 - What do you make of the 'mirror'/'window' analogy? How helpful is this in understanding the nature of photography?

I get the mirror and window analogy, my brain did swap them round for a minute thinking that the window was into the person (a window into their soul?) and a mirror reflecting the world around. But now understand it as you look out a window and see the world around you and you look at a mirror and see yourself. Photography shows one or the other to a degree. I was in a vintage shop in Brighton and they were selling old photographs. You can look at them but without knowing who took the photograph you can't really tell if its just a window looking out at something or whether it is a mirror and has a deeper meaning to the person who has taken the photograph. Its all about the context.

- As an image maker do you identify more closely with one or another?

As an image maker I identify more closely with the window analogy (now I know which way round it is). My photographs document the wider world even if most of them are usually at a racetrack. I've never been one for being in front of the camera or showing my feelings in my photography. 

- What other metaphors do you have. or can think of that provide an insight into the photographic process

You 'take' a photograph as if you want to own that moment. 

- What is your motivation for photography? What do you want to learn and how can photography help you get an understanding of it?

I've always want to challenge myself each time I take my camera out. I want to take what I believe is a better photograph than what I had taken before. I want to learn how to be more critical of my work and not just take the cliché photographs that I feel I have been taking of cars and street photography.