Cristina de Middel has worked as a photojournalist and conceptual documentary photographer, and now she serves as the new president of one of the oldest photo collectives in the world, Magnum. With several years of experience in the world of photography, De Middel has gathered sharp insights and unmatched experiences. So, we looked at her varied interviews and narrowed down a selection of tips and advice for our readers to hone their craft. You may already follow these principles or add them to your practice to improve yourself.
Dark Room is Your Playground
Cristina de Middel began her journey during the analog era. The unpredictability of film and the further revelation of images in the darkroom really helped to connect with photography. Similarly, in a digital world, going back to film is a personal choice and a crucial one. It is not to look cool but to surrender to the image-making process and to build your ability to photograph without depending on a screen.
Shift Directions When Needed
De Middel worked as a photojournalist for about a decade before she left to pursue conceptual-style documentary work. You, too, can shift focus if you feel one genre is becoming repetitive or simply not giving you the results you need. Evolution is a part of the creative process. Perhaps it opens up new doors. Or, perhaps, you begin to fall in love with the genre you were working with all over again.
Subjectivity in Your Work Can Reap Benefit
In an interview with Hundred Heroines, Cristina de Middel said, “I think photography is so literal as a tool – so mechanical. It leaves so little room for interpretation sometimes. But if you do not add some layer of subjectivity, then for me, it becomes much less interesting. It’s like reading a form instead of a book.” This may not work in photojournalism, but if you are working with portraits, conceptual projects, or more, then this can help you to create work that is engaging.
Photography is Also About Questioning
The role of photography is not only to answer questions but also to ask them. Your work has to invite people to ponder over the subject critically. For instance, if the story focuses on the wrongs of our jurisdiction, then people should be able to ask their government what they have been so far. If you make your audience think, then your work as a photographer has succeeded.
At the same time, questioning photography norms in your work can also help to achieve a work that urges viewers to look outside the box. As De Middel once said: “I would say that I questioned what was established before, but more to question anything that there was rather than to redefine it.”
Participatory Photography Is Great For Collaboration
This means if you are photographing your subjects, they are not there to sit passively and allow you to direct them. Instead, they play an active role in the creation, where they may help you navigate to take images that do justice to both you and them. In 2024, this is a principle that you must follow, especially if you are a working person. Gone are the days when you get to photograph someone just so that your work shines.
Avoid the Expert Mentality
Today, everyone thinks they are an expert in photography, especially content creators. However, this may not be true because photography, like any other art form, is about growth and continuous learning. If you are an expert, that means you no longer need to learn things. And that is not useful.
Cristina de Middel admires Lee Miller for this reason. The latter experimented with various techniques and styles without limiting herself to one genre. De Middel is also the same, and once stated, “I am a ‘yes’ person and do not think too much before taking action.”
Furthermore, working across genres can also help your photography to become more versatile. “My advice to young photographers is to spend some time thinking about what they have to say,” she said. So, you have a project, but then you show that work in a more interesting manner.
Explore Other Creative Practices
Look at any great photographer, and you will notice how they are interested in other forms of art, such as literature, painting, cooking, or even dance. Cristina de Middel, too, likes these activities, as they help her focus on her body and mind. Similarly, engaging in activities other than photography can inspire new perspectives that will enhance your practice.
Protect Your Integrity and Expression
Like any art form, photography is built on the integrity of the artist and how they protect their expression. For the former, you must stay true to yourself and your vision despite the trends people follow on social media. At the same time, you must also protect your right to expression. This does not mean you can offend any community in the name of expression. Instead, focus on creating a work where diverse opinions and perspectives are welcome.
Integrate Other Mediums With Photography
Cristina de Middel also uses text and photographs to add layers of meaning to her projects. This way, photography does not fall short for people who may or may not have visual literacy. In fact, using other formats, such as audio and video, alongside images can also help you project your work in a manner that is more engaging to your audience.
Seek Support
Being a part of a collective or a group can really help to open up your perspective. A photographer’s journey is often lonely, with many of us turning to social media to find direction. However, that is not always great because you never know the true intentions of people. “After many years working as an outcast, it feels good to have the help and support from a strong family, she once said. Similarly, find your group of like-minded creatives and institutions that can provide guidance, support, and a platform for your work.
