You Can Learn Photography Episode 9
Be forewarned! It's 90 minutes long. Who knew I could talk that long about my own photography?
It's always interesting to hear your own voice....it never sounds like you think!
It was a pleasure talking with Trevor. He made me feel relaxed and natural...not nervous at all.
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| Spring Idyll |
Before I get started on a fresh topic of conversation, I'd like to pontificate just a bit more on the topic of titles. Click on this link to read the original post. In the end, I decided to keep the original title of Forgotten. Why? I decided that the word forgotten could lead the viewer in several different directions when looking at the image. Sure, changing the title to Gratitude may put a more positive spin on the image, but do I really want to point someone down either path...positive or negative? After I thought about it for a while, I decided that using the title Forgotten might make a viewer take a moment to really look at the image. There is a solitary crow...is it the crow who has been forgotten? Has the crow forgotten something? There is a lock on the gate...is it the church that has been forgotten? The parishioners? Is it a larger story about religion being forgotten? Each viewer might think of a different story. That's why I stuck with my original title. Here is the image:
Moving on to today's thoughts...I was recently interviewed for a photography podcast which got me talking (and later, thinking more) about various things. One question I was asked was "what advice would you give to a beginner?"
In a nutshell....I believe that artistic vision is just as important....perhaps more important...than techical knowledge. Having the confidence to pursue your own artistic vision is the best advice I could give, and something I continue to struggle with. It's tough to remain confident when people don't "get" what you have created.
How do you find your own artistic vision? Go through your own portfolio rather than comparing your own work to other people's work on social media. Pick your favourite images. Why are they your favourites? Is it the subject matter, the style, what is it that speaks to you? Experiment with the things that you feel drawn to in your own work and build on that. Sure, learn the "rules" of photography or whatever medium you work with, but learning the rules is less important than learning about yourself and what makes you happy to create.
I just received a newsletter from Cole Thompson Photography, and he talks about vision in a much better way than I could. Here is the link if you'd like to take a read (scroll down past the quotes)
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| March Portfolio |
No matter how much proofing I do...as well as printing small test prints....I always find things to correct when I print "the real thing". This is a waster of paper, but all part of the learning process when it comes to printing.
I managed to break a couple of pieces of framing glass, and had to order new pieces...then I broke one of the new pieces. Arg!
Did I mention that printing and framing are not a favourite pastime of mine? When I start printing and framing, I always promise myself that this is the very last time I will exhibit my work. But, then I forget and do it all over again a year or so later!
Early in the month, I was interviewed by Trevor at You Can Learn Photography for an upcoming podcast. It will be available on April 15th, and I'll post the link. I don't listen to many podcasts...since I'm such a visual person, I prefer to watch videos on YouTube. Answering Trevor's questions was a good experience, and it was much more relaxing than giving an artist talk :)
April will be spent printing and framing....and hopefully getting out into the garden!
