wtfsoriginality?

Reasons to go back to Beijing

1. Write my name on The Great Wall.
2. Eat Chinese sausages.
3. Buy persimmons from the morning market.
4. Eat KFC ice cream.
5. Buy five boxes of KFC egg tarts.
6. Take photos.
7. Study Mandarin.
8. Study Chinese History.
9. Watch acrobats.
10. Watch Kung Fu.
11. Talk to a homeless man.
12. Enjoy holiday with family.

Stop thinking that owning the most expensive camera in this planet will allow you to take better photographs, and the fact that you will be better at photography.

If you were to give the most expensive camera, and in a general consensus, the most expensive would probably be the best; to an amateur, do you honestly think he/she would take fantastic photographs?

You cannot even capture a ‘moment’. You take photos with your DSLR, but honestly, other people could take better photographs even with just their mobile phones.

And you have the cheek to call yourself a “photographer”. You are NOT a photographer. Actual photographers with talent do not brag about always wanting the most expensive camera in the world because it is the best, and it will take better photos. You will in fact, make full use of what you have now and be better at it before you go on with the more expensive stuff.

Though if you have all the money in the world that you cannot seem to finish spending, by all means, go for your lives. But stop trying to imply that you will take better photographs. You will not, rich or poor.

You take a blur/distorted photo of a car. That is not photography. That is a (blur/distorted) photograph you took of a car. You take a blur/distorted close-up photo of a flower. That is not macro photography. That is a (blur/distorted) photograph you went close to capture. Big difference, ya know?

The bigger joke is water marking your ugly photos. I don’t care what you want to do with your photos but it is altogether laughable and infuriating that you think you are good (when you are clearly not) that you watermark your photos. As if your “photography” is so worthy to be stolen off from.

Grow up. Learn to freaking walk first before you run.

If only we all lived in a land called ‘Equalia’, where everyone is equally good at every damn thing.

What’s in the name

I do not believe that “We must (always) copy things which are good.” And so the question of ‘wtfsoriginality’ (in the beginning being an abbreviation so that it wouldn’t be too long, and also to sound less harsh) lingers.

It is great that we get inspired by people and their works. But the thing about being inspired is that you actually have your own ideas and then creating something new rather than just copy+paste.

I am just going to be straightforward about this.

It is great that something, which you actually have not much interest on to begin with, suddenly captures your eyes and makes you want to “try a bit here and there”. But don’t try to be someone that you are not, and that you will never become.

For example: Saying things like, “Tim Walker takes amazing photographs, and his ideas are always so whimsical and fresh. I am trying to take photographs like him.” or “Jayesslee have beautiful voices! I am trying to sing like them, too.” or “Alex Wong is such an amazing dancer!! I am trying to dance just like him.”

Honestly, don’t.
Don’t bother comparing yourself to anyone else, professional or not. You have no idea how stupid you sound, and how stupid you will end up looking.

I know what is like to wish and admire someone else for their works. But in your individual cases, work for something that you are ACTUALLY good at, and not something that you have no personal interest in at all despite the fact that you find it interesting in general.

I actually find it insulting that people who never liked what I like, suddenly pop out of nowhere and start trying to be someone, of which, was never their calling. Hey, I am glad that people are interested in my interests too but don’t tell me that you are “trying to be as good” as someone else.

I am no professional at all but I seriously loathe the fact of being at par with anyone who tries to be someone they are not, and that I would probably end up looking like just another person who is like everyone else who tries too hard.

It is great that you give it a shot. But don’t try to be like someone else. Respect yourselves and take bloody integrity in that.

Have you seen Taipei city at night?

It looks a little bit like this.

The awkward moment when people think that they are “photographers” because they have ‘Instagram’.

I hope you will realise soon enough that your photographs look like shit that not even heavy editing could ever save your photos’ lives.

I am not saying that I am the best.

But I am in fact, telling you the truth.

I do not see you as my “friend”, but at least I am not giving you any false hopes.

Difference

There is a difference between an encouragement, and giving false hopes.

For example: If a photograph is badly taken i.e. overexposed/out-of-focus/pixelated, just shut up rather than give comments saying that it is a “nice” photo.

Perhaps you want to make someone’s day but I believe that there are so many alternatives for you to choose from. But did you know that this is, in fact, giving false hopes to people? Or let’s just say, giving people credit when it’s NEVER meant to be due.

This gives them false hopes, in a sense that they think that they are bloody good just because of your comment, and they start thinking that they are “photographers”; spoiling the market for actual photographers out there, who actually have talent. Or in other words, making this a huge discouragement to them.

And sometimes you give the same comment on a much better/lookable photograph, it makes it all confusing that whether you are “just being nice” or you truly mean it.

If a person asks for your (honest) opinion, just wing it. Why fear that the person may not like it (or you)? As cliché as it sounds, the truth hurts. What is life without going through such treachery?

I am not saying that we have to be horrid to them when we give our opinions. You can always nicely tell them rather than give comments that they do not deserve.

By the end of the day, people would appreciate honest criticism instead. After all, honesty is much more worth rather than being a “Yes man”.

And I am not just saying this. Even The Bible tells us so (Proverbs 28:23), but most choose to go their own ways.

Sad.