The Maze

Have you every felt that you were in a valley facing a wall, and the only way to turn, is back from where you came?

As an artist, the photographer has to find their photographic vision. I'll be honest; I don't feel most photographers ever truly find their unique photographic vision. Some may refer to vision as style, but I feel vision is a better word for what I'm trying to explain.

For a photographer to find their unique vision, it takes guts and a lot of hard work. You'll have to be willing to not please anyone but yourself. Grant it, the technical aspects should be in full control before any photographer can realize their vision.

Personal vision is unique to every individual. Two photographers could make images of the same subject, and they will look different. The images should reflect who you are and your perspective of the world around you.

Your vision is not something outside of you. Jay Maisel said, "if you can imagine what it is you're going out to shoot, you're making someone else's picture."

Equipment, genre, occupation, and other people can divert your vision. Look within, learn about your heart and develop its ability to see your personal truth and you'll avoid "The Maze."

David is a NC based photographer. Please subscribe.

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http://www.jaymaisel.com/

Step By Step

We don't always know what's up ahead on our path. Knowing what we want and going for it is a scary proposition, especially when we can't see in the future.

Fine Art Photography is an adventure. Many times Delores and I have known where we were going to capture a shot but wouldn't know what to expect when we got there. Every time we eliminate the worry about it and welcome the adventure, it gives us more than what we would ask for.

Planning is good, and photographers have to plan but to get into too much detail and especially expectations of the outcome can stunt our ability to see. I've heard many say "when you walk around be sure to look behind you and look up because you never know what you might miss otherwise." I like to take it a step further and watch what I'm thinking about. I would suggest going with the flow and not getting wrapped up with expectations. After all, the only thing you can control, is what you think and feel about a thing.

It's not called Fine Art Photography for no reason. There is usually an unseen element in the photo that makes it really work. The more an artist can remove themselves from trying to control things, the easier seen what the universe has to offer.

Let's take it one moment at a time, being happy with peace of mind and let everything happen "Step By Step."

David is a NC based photographer. Please subscribe.

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The Essence of Photography

Fort Pulaski GA.

At times in life, I have to put my head down and walk through a tunnel and face whatever it is on the other side. Depending on what's there, I may find myself in a pickle and feel as if everyone and everything is gunning for me.

It doesn't make any difference if you are a landscape, wedding, portrait or commercial photographer; there's always some sort of tunnel during a project.

But! I have good news for you, solving problems is what a good photography business does. It's part of why we are called creatives. We need to be creative artistically, strategically and with business.

I've made a decision today to welcome the issues that arise on shoots. I'm going to make friends with adversity and 

contribute my creative strengths to get through them. There's no need to get upset or anxious when difficulties arise, after all, we're in business to solve problems. I've come to believe that problem solving is the "Essence of Photography"

David is a NC based photographer. View website.

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Workshops?

Image of an old oak tree Boone Hall Plantation Charleston SC while attending an Art Wolfe workshop.

A lot of successful photographers of all categories teach workshops. It should be an opportunity for the students to get practical hands on experience with a particular photographer and have as many questions answered as they can.

You attend workshops to learn something that improves your photography. So choosing the right workshop  is very important. You should know what you want to learn and ensure the workshop can deliver.

When your photography improves over time you may reach a point  where it seems people are asking you more questions than you are asking. You'll see a natural tendency from eager learners wanting information from you. You might ask yourself, "should I be teaching?"

There is a couple of reasons photographer's teach workshops. They enjoy teaching, and it's an added revenue stream for their business. The Fine Art Photographer can create and teach a workshop and benefit from paid travel, networking with others, and learning from every experience.

The teacher should have the experience or put forth the effort to learn about the subject they are teaching. So if your thinking about teaching  workshops be prepared to be a student as well. Photography is a life learning event. Having the ability to teach from your knowledge and experience requires skill as well.

A teaching photographer needs to be as committed to the success of their students as they are to their own photography. He or She should have as much passion about teaching as making pictures. The rewards are reciprocal with a successful workshop.

When the student is ready, the teacher will arrive...(Zen Proverb)
When the teacher is ready, the students will arrive...(Photographer's Proverb)

David is a NC based photographer. View website here.

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The Flow

Inspiration is the fuel that drives creativity. Placing yourself in surroundings that cultivates creativity will help to inspire your greatness.

Successful photographers and artist in general have found ways to stay inspired. They read and visit museums; study others artwork and some may find themselves getting back to nature. Ansel Adams listened to Classical music for inspiration.

I feel that being self-aware is important to maintaining a creative state of mind. As an artist one needs to know what makes them tick. Personally I have to slow my mind down enough in order to listen to my feelings. And once I listen to my gut feelings, and start to get excited and happy about what I"m creating I know I"m doing the right thing.

A successful artist has lots of Passion. Passion is the intense drive of mastering something with a complete feeling of conviction. Passion accepts failure as only temporary.

Adversity will always be there creating the contrast for experiencing success. A passionate artist knows this and nurtures their creativity by fueling  their inspiration and staying in the flow.

David is a NC based photographer. View website here.

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The Heart of The Matter

Images can remind us of the seasons we experience in a life. The viewer may take a mental journey to a place and time where they experienced the same feelings a photographer shares within a photo.

With all the technology, we have today in photography, it's pretty easy to take good pictures. Just put the thing in full auto and shoot. But it's a much different thing to make an excellent image, let alone being something called art.

There are many elements that should be included in high quality Art Photography. To list a few, the technical must be excellent, which includes exposure, depth of field, file handling, color management, etc. Once the technical becomes second nature to the photographer the work begins. And that would be to develop one's heart.

Personally photography has made me realize things about how I see the world more than anything else. The Masters write and speak of how much of the photographer goes into making a great image.

Great photographers have Empathy, Compassion and Love that become the silent subject of their images because they have learned how to capture the "Heart of The Matter."

David is a NC based photographer. View website here.

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