Kiwification

photo credit: JasonRogers

Photography Matters, a new blog on the (apparently almost non-existent) Kiwi photography scene, open their doors with a carefully worded criticism of the current state of Kiwi self-esteem:

No, if someone criticises something we’ve put a lot of effort and emotional energy into, like our artwork, we crawl away wounded and bitter, vowing revenge. We have to get over this. If we are going to progress, mature and develop as (photographic) artists, we must learn a more mature attitude towards criticism. And we need to toughen up a bit.

This, writes James, soon-to-be-married-kiwi-with-one-cat, is one of the prime reasons why the development and progress of photography has been stunted here in New Zealand - the lack of professional, critical feedback.

While I’m far from a professional photographer, I’m delighted to find this blog which feeds both my interest in photography, and more importantly, my desire to understand New Zealand culture and life.