At the risk of stirring the pot rather than the paint, here goes. My last post and the responses to it left me at a loss for words. And I don’t mean in the traditional sense that what was said was bad; none of it was. It was all good. It was just that I didn’t know what to say in response to each of the comments which is my usual way of thanking and engaging the readers of my blog. It is this engagement that in part, moves my learning forward or in a slightly different direction. But when something stops me dead in my tracks, it is an indication that I need to slow down and to reflect on why. That’s the time when I open all the mental doors and windows and wait to see what flows in–and out.
Stuff has actually been flowing in for a while. Some of it finds residence in my mind. I know it is as Jeffrey Chapman told me before, the journey is the destination and we are already here, although I have to be honest and say that at times, it sure doesn’t feel like it. Why? Because the road looks the same as before. Strangely familar and not in a comforting way–more like I’m going around in circles. Yes, I know what depth of field is and how it can be used, that right is when it feels right to me, and people look to an image to tell a story. So why do I keep making pictures where these things are still issues?
A few weeks ago I came across this article entitled “Rethinking Talent” by photographer Alain Briot. It is a lengthy article but one of the lines that resonated with me was this: “…for a long time I was more interested in finding ways of creating better photographs than in finding why I was not creating better photographs”.
I’ve decided to start my week out by trying to figure this out. I’m not sure I will find any answers but I have a feeling I’m asking myself the right question.
Perhaps I should have said that the journey is our purpose and the destination is our excuse, but I like what Alain Briot said better!
I like the word “purpose”. It has a ring of intent that is lingering with me. As for excuses, I am all for those!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Olwick, Ray Ketcham. Ray Ketcham said: rethink-learning from @SabrinaHenry new post http://tinyurl.com/2dx6fvl [...]
And the key to the journey is to have fun along the way.
That is sound advice Mark, and made easier to follow by having friends like you on the journey.
Have you read Craig Tanner’s the Myth of Talent? If not, it’s definitely a good read for putting things into perspective, and an article I keep coming back to for some reason: http://www.craigtannercreative.com/lightdiary/?page_id=220
I hadn’t read this, Charlene though strangely I was on his site last night. Missed it. Thanks for sharing. Having read it once, I can see why you keep coming back to it. In a way it’s like a photograph where you see something different or in a new way each time. I’m going to read it again this evening to help me figure out my thoughts further.
For everyone else, I highly recommend following Charlene’s link to the article.
I read Craig Tanners article and enjoyed it also. And, I have a t-shirt that says, “The destination is the journey.” Again, you have posted a good article offering the suggestion for us to look inside as well as outside. It reminds me of the suggestion to be a more interesting person and therefore a more interesting photographer. Well done, Sabrina!
So you’ve been there, done that, and got the t-shirt, Monte? I thought this question would do my head in but surprisingly it has not so stay tuned for more thoughts from the inside.
Look, forgive me if I intrude a bit, but sometimes you strike me as a bit too hard on yourself. Your work is stunning to my eye, especially your sense of color. If I’m wrong, just tell me.
You are never an intrusion, Chris! Ray and I were just discussing how we all have a tendency to be a little too hard on ourselves and we just need to be a little kinder.
Thank you the compliment; it has made me turn a blushing shade of red
[...] Henry has a good read about our journeys here. I made a comment about a t-shirt I have that says, “The destiny is the journey”, which [...]
I’m a bit adding my comment to this post. I wanted to think about your comments a bit. My initial thought was that you’re not giving yourself enough time to answer the question; and besides, who says you’re not creating great pictures? based on the feedback I’ve seen in your blog, that person is probably you in which case I’d ask, what do you consider to be a better or great picture? Is it your vision or someone else’s? How many of us have really decided on what our particular vision is? Not many I expect because if we did don’t we risk just repeating the same things over and over? With my own photography, if I’ve done the best I can today with what I know today, then I’m happy. If I learn something new for tomorrow, then I’m doing the right thing.
Ok, so now I’m gonna probably make you think even more. Your images always have a story to them. Have you ever thought of making a film?