Sunday Edition: Peter Li and Jan C Schlegel

PHOTOSNACK #391

Every Sunday, I contact photographers previously featured on PHOTOSNACK and ask them to send me their spontaneous thoughts, observations, reflections, or advice.

Today, I am sharing the messages I received from Peter Li and Jan C Schlegel.

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Peter Li

Over my ten years of photography, including six years focused on capturing the interiors of cathedrals and churches, I have experienced only a few moments that were as breathtaking as this one.

This particular shot was taken in March 2024 during Holy Week, when I had the honor of being commissioned by York Minster to photograph the cathedral's interiors. As incense burned in the early afternoon hours, smoke gracefully enveloped the arches of the nave. The sunset filtering through the Great West Window was a spectacular sight, but it lasted only a brief moment before vanishing.

I chose to name this piece Evanescent to reflect the splendor of a moment that could have been easily overlooked.

Peter Li was featured in PHOTOSNACK #352.

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Jan C Schlegel

I was visiting an art gallery in Germany where I had the privilege of showing my work. The owner is an art dealer and was born into family of photographers and artists, currently in the 4th generation. He knows photography as an art and knows its strength. He understands art and the art world. He values the importance and the possibilities within the world of photography, and shows this with his gallery. 

The pictures he shows convey messages, thoughts, and emotions. They are meant to impact the viewer. They go beyond simply, "What a beautiful picture."

Showing him my work was of course a privilege, and in return I learned a lot through listening carefully to his words. We spent almost 4 hours together, talking about my pictures, photography, and values. It was an amazing time, but one comment he made stood out and made me think a lot. 

He said that photography has lost its meaning, that there is something like a fungus that has infected photography and has taken away it’s power. 

I wonder what you think of this? Do you agree? I am curious to hear from you. 

What do you think about your photography? I don't judge it, but I want us to all start thinking about this question. I want my photography to be relevant, to be something needed in society, not just a nice thing to have. I want it to be indispensable and impactful, not just reflect me as an artist.

I don’t want my photography to exist just to give me pleasure. Pleasure is not and never was my goal. If it was, I would spend my life differently. 

I feel I am constantly climbing a mountain whose peak I will never reach to enjoy the beautiful view. There are moments, of course, when I feel fulfilled and am able to enjoy what I have created, but really, those moments are rare. I am constantly in competition with what I have already done and have developed a lifestyle of continual study and learning. 

How about you? What do you want to accomplish with your photography? 

I don't want any fungus creeping in and affecting our photography! I want to discover the strength, the possibilities and the meaning of photography, and see and use it’s power to influence society, nations, and generations. 

So what is the fungus? What is taking the meaning of photography away? 

Personally, I feel that we have lost the dedication, the willingness to endure and maybe even suffer to achieve the quality and depth needed. We've allowed it to turn into something "easy," something that is convenient and something we do to "entertain“ ourselves and others, something that we do for pleasure...

Just some thoughts that are running through my mind why scrolling through thousands of images on Instagram that all looks the same and that don't stay in our memory or heart...

Jan C Schlegel was featured in PHOTOSNACK #348.

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Sunday Editions connect you with photographers whose work you previously explored through PHOTOSNACK.

I want to reveal some authentic parts of the people behind the cameras.

I don't ask them any specific questions. I ask them to share whatever comes to mind when they think about YOU, the newsletter readers.

It makes their responses genuine and personal.

I hope you enjoyed today's Sunday Edition.

Until next time,
Tomasz