Eel Creek Dunes
Many years ago I attended a photo workshop taught by Ted Orland and David Bayles. In this workshop, David gave me some advice on one path to creating photographs. I used this advice as one of the text elements for my “Dunes” folio. Here is a path to photographic growth.
Don’t make photographs
Make photographs, but don’t concern yourself with whether they are good or satisfying.
Make photographs, but pretend that you don’t care whether they are good or satisfying.
Make photographs and have your friends assure you that they are good or satisfying
Make photographs that you know are good or satisfying because they look as good and satisfying as the ones in Popular Photography.
Make photographs that you know are good because they look as good as your favorite artist.
Make photographs that are good because they satisfy the truth you feel in your heart – the truth you feel that owes no defense or apology or reference to other, when the three fears are set aside; the fear that you will not be loved, the fear that you will not be in control and the fear that your work is no good.
Many years later, I purchased the book, “Art and Fear” and found many of the concepts and ideas in this book were discussed in this (and many other) of Ted and Dave’s workshops. “Art and Fear” is a very good book that addresses the issues all artists face creating their art in a world that doesn’t really care.
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