Being a Photographer Is a Decision

In this blog post are also tow galleries; one in colour and one BW from a recent Classic Car event. All photos done with the Leica M9, Summilux 50mm f1.4 ASPH

Being a photographer is not just about pressing a button. It’s a decision—a conscious act of framing the world. Every time I lift the camera to my eye, I decide what I want you to see. I choose the angle, the light, the moment. These choices are mine.

But here’s the paradox: while I decide what to show, I cannot decide how you will react. I can’t control how you perceive the image, what memories it stirs, or what emotions it awakens. That part belongs to you.

Photography is a dialogue without words. I speak through composition, color, and timing. You respond with interpretation, shaped by your own experiences and feelings. That’s the beauty of it—our perspectives meet in the frame, but they never fully merge.

It’s a bit like Being John Malkovich—inviting you into my head for a moment, letting you see through my eyes.

But once you’re there, you bring your own story. And that’s what makes photography endlessly fascinating: it’s never just my vision. It becomes ours.

Colour or Black-and-White? Another Layer of Decision

One of the most powerful choices I make happens after the shutter clicks: colour or black-and-white?
Colour can shout. It can seduce. It can tell you the season, the mood, the temperature of a moment. Those red shoos up against the red MG? They needed color. Without it, the story would lose its heartbeat.

But sometimes, color distracts. Black-and-white give it weight, timelessness, and focus. It removes the noise and leave only the essence.

This choice is never neutral. It’s another way I guide your eye, another way I whisper, Look here. Feel this. But even then, your interpretation is yours alone.

Finding Inspiration in Unexpected Places

Just yesterday, I went out to a Classic Race Car event together with my wife, because two of my friends were there—one to watch, the other to drive in the Fyn Hill Climb in Denmark. Beautiful cars of all kinds, polished chrome and roaring engines—a real kick for a photographer. My friend had some engine problems, setting him back a bit, but that didn’t matter for the camera.

I loved the details: the curves of the cars, the reflections in the paint, and especially the playful decoration of Professor Tournesol from the Tintin comics—a nostalgic nod to my childhood.

Events like this are a gift for the camera. If you ever lack inspiration, go to an event. It doesn’t have to be cars—it could be a local market, a festival, or a local sports match. Wander, observe, and find the moments. They’re always there, waiting for your frame.

The Illusion of Control

We photographers like to think we control the narrative. But the truth is, we only control the frame. The story? That belongs to the viewer. I can show you a shadow stretching across a wall, but whether you see loneliness, mystery, or beauty—that’s up to you.

And that’s why I keep photographing. Not to dictate meaning, but to start a conversation without words.

Why do You Take Pictures?

Let me know in the comments, and join a workshop to learn more. I have four planned photo workshops for the first half of 2026. Secure your spot now.