I grew up in a world where the current day “rules of
photography” were an unknown, probably did not exist (at least not in art
circles.) We learned to look, feel and produce from the heart; to see in our
mind's eye first, then to move out in our specific medium to produce what our
creative eye has seen. We explored our
inner souls and sought a way to express ourselves through the medium of our
choosing. We looked intently at our
world; we framed things, watched light and color and saw shapes and forms. We looked at how our world was put together
and we studied the passing of our world around us. We learned how to see, how
what we saw affected us and what we wanted to convey to others or produce for
ourselves. We were taught freedom of expression. Nothing was too outrageous and we learned to
deal with our limitations by expanding our horizons or knowledge or we threw
caution to the wind and stepped outside our comfort zones. We learned to put our soul into what we
did. It is never an easy choice to do
this; after all we bare ourselves for the world to see and leave ourselves open
to rejection. But there is also something
to gain. We gain respect. We gain a freedom that only our souls can touch. We gain a truth and loyalty to our soul. We gain a unique expression.
People may think we are a bit crazy; we have to be
willing to let them. Thankfully we are
each a unique being with a unique expression.
Some of us love art, some do not.
Some see this kind of exploration as a waste of time when there are
rules that exist. Those who do not
explore their soul take a risk that they will be producing just one more
landscape that will be one that looks like every other one just with a
different sunset, different water and different set of rocks instead of
something that speaks to your own soul.
Or risk that they will produce one more portrait that doesn’t reach into
the soul of their subject. The elements
or principles of art are not rules. They are found everywhere in our
world. How we put them within the frame should reflect how we see and
feel about that world. Knowing our own response
to these aspects of art helps us to create work that speaks not only from the heart but to the heart. It should evoke a response. It could be as
simple as wow or a joy at a treasure found or a unique perspective to a known
world or as complex as a provocation to action. If you try to live within rules or your
perception that the only way to compose a frame is by someone whose decision
that this is what makes a "nice" work you risk losing the elements
that evoke a reaction and tie your own hands of creativity. It is up to you to reach into the depth of yourself
or your subject to show your perspective. Be courageous.
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| In the Shadow of the Master | |
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Remember art is completely subjective. If we think that what we like or for that
matter, may not like, and someone else will feel the same...it is time to think
again. The most wonderful thing about
art is that there are people who will love what you do. Be
fearless. Look at yourself. Look at your world. Breathe.
Then breathe again. Take it
in. Then, create from the heart.
As a photographer, it is time to shoot from the heart. I think it will open a whole new realm for you
as an artist.
