A Sage is someone who has achieved wisdom. According to Donald Robertson in Stoicism and the Art of Happiness, the Stoics saw this person as
someone perfectly wise and good, giving the aspiring Stoic direction, structure, and consistency in her practice
In this context, a Sage would be a role model, someone to be emulated.
Many times, I like to put myself in other photographer's skin and try to see the way they would see (or the way I think they would see, at least). I also have a fictional photography Sage I try to emulate.
What characteristics would a photography Sage have?
- A photography Sage looks at familiar and strange subjects the same way, like it were the first time they see them. They travel but also photograph at home.
- They are forever beginners. They keep an open mind because they know photography isn't a recipe to follow, but constant experimentation.
- They are inspired by other photographers but try to add their own twist.
- A photography Sage is not afraid of sharing their work. Actually, they create to share and inspire others.
- They don't wait until inspiration hits them, they look for it with action. They take the first photo.
- They realize the way to make better images is go further, higher, deeper, for longer. New camera gear isn't the answer.
- They always push themselves: a photography Sage knows that those days when they don't feel like going out are the most important ones, because those are the ones that will define you as a photographer.
- They are always thinking about photography, even when they don't have a camera with them. Always trying to find something to capture, always trying to visualize that final image.
These are some of the virtues my own photography Sage would have, and the ones I try to emulate. Of course, I fail often if not most of the time, but they give me a sense of direction and serve as a guide.
What about you? What would your role model look like?