Postcards from the Creative Journey

423 That Was Then, This Is Now

Fog and Trees, Deception Pass, Washington

In 1964 Andre Kertesz published a book call “On Reading.” Kertesz photographed people on park benches, cafes, bistros, on buses and trains reading. They were reading books, newspapers or magazines in public places. It showed people the world over engaged in a common activity.

Fast forward to 2016, this project would not be a book. It would be on Instagram, snapchat or the next hot social media thing that is taking the middle school by storm. The photographer would not use a camera, but would using a smart phone and be posting the images immediately.  The people would not be reading books but would be heads down with their smart phones. It would be a huge thing, have its own hashtag and be an absolute internet sensation for almost fifteen minutes. 

Wait. If I thought of this now, it was probably done ten years ago and no one has seen those images for nine years, eleven months and two weeks.

You can still purchase Kertesz' book. 

I just put up a new folio on my web site, "The Only Open Doors," photographs of Bodie, California.  Click over and open up my Christmas present to you. 

422 What Are You Photographing?

Talbot Lago T150C SS Teardrop

I’ve been working on a new project for the past few weeks. The North Carolina Museum of Art has an exhibit called, “Rolling Sculpture.” It is an exhibit of Automobiles influenced by Art Deco design principles. The exhibition catalog has beautiful “studio portraits” of the automobiles. The automobiles are flawlessly lit and the photographer did a marvelous job of portraying the likeness of the automobiles. It is exactly what is expected of an exhibition catalog.

I know my photographs will not look like the ones in the catalog, because I will have a restricted view and the museum favors spotlights instead of large soft boxes. More importantly, I will be approaching my subjects as sculptures not automobiles. The object of this project is to see the difference between my photographs of sculpture and the photographs of cars in the catalog. I think this is going to be one of those Fun Art projects.

421 Fine Art vs. Fun Art

Somewhere in Southern Utah.

Those of us that like to think we are “serious” artists tend to think in terms of “serious” topics and maintain a goal oriented view toward the photographs we make.

It doesn’t have to be so. Fun is also a possible outcome for your artistic efforts. Every once in a while try to have some fun, do something enjoyable, maybe take a risk on doing some art that could actually be silly. Today's photo is from the "Objects in Mirror" folio. That project appeared because I could never figure out why Brooks Jensen would call for a photo stop where I saw absolutely nothing. So, I made some "Fun Art" in the spaces around my "serious photographs." 

So start something that is more fun than art. But remember this; complete the project. Don’t just half finish it, complete the project because you never know what you will learn finishing the project.

420 - Watching Is Fun, Too

Nearly Sunset at Bandon Beach

As a photographer of the landscape, I live for the edges of the day; sunrise, sunset and the golden hours surrounding those celestial events. There comes a time in every photographic day when you no longer want to look at the world through a viewfinder or a ground glass. It’s that time of the day when you just want to sit and enjoy the beauty in front of you and not have to photograph it.

Many times I have forsaken my camera just to sit, watch, wait and experience the beauty of the world. There comes a time when you just have to put the camera down and enjoy the scene in front of you. At that time photography is not important, but living your life is. Learn to find those moments and relish them. Sit, watch and absorb the beauty before you. If so inclined, applaud the Deity for allowing you to experience the beauty of the world.