∞ Blog ∞
On Photography, Art, And The Creative Life
Welcome to the place affectionately known as my "writings on the walls", where you will find images, thoughts, and discussions on Photography, Art, and The Creative Life... or so I'm told.
"But It's Not A Portrait"
I like to get photographers thinking differently about what a portrait is. On one hand, every image you make is a kind of self-portait. Landscapes, seascapes, iPhone images all say something about you. Your sensibility chose that subject, photographed it in that way, to express something within you. Even when you portray another person, it says som...
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Got Film? Digital Photographers Now Have Choices
To answer the question above, it can now be argued that "yes, indeed", digital photographers have film. Or rather "film simulation". What's propelling this resurgence of the film look? Is it just a nostalgia from old-school photographers, or is it a hip trend? Either way you see it; hate it or love it, there are a lot of choices for software film s...
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Forget About Finding A 'Style', Cultivate A 'Sensibility' Instead
So what exactly is " style", and why are so many photographers looking for it? Put a group of photographers together: professionals, amateurs, and up-and-comers, and inevitably the discussion turns to finding a style. "What is it?", "How do you find it?", "Does it really take a long time to get one?". I think it's time we stop talking about style a...
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iPhone Tintype For Creative Portraits Tutorial
This tutorial on creating tintype textured backgrounds and overlays for creative portraits was inspired by a recent creativeLIVE episode by the very talented fine artist Jennifer Hudson. She does a great tutorial on finding, scanning and creating tintype textures from online and magazine sources. It got me thinking, being the D.I.Y. sort that I am,...
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On Jobs, Apple, And The Pursuit Of Excellence
Apple Wallpaper
Some two years + since Steve Jobs passed on, his legacy for the pursuit of sheer excellence is still alive and with us, in many areas of creative work. I have recently finished reading his biography by Walter Isaacson (I know, a little later than most), watched the film “Jobs” starring Ashton Kutcher in the title role (boy, did t...
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Photoshop :: A Personal Declaration Of Independance
With July seeming to be the month of great declarations of independence, (America's 4th of July, and France's Bastille Day on the 14th), I got the inspiration to declare my own personal independence from Adobe Photoshop and its new move into the cloud. So, I have declared that I will forego the use of Photoshop and Bridge on both my laptop and desk...
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"Excuse Me, Do You Know The Way To Paris?"
Ah, Paris! City of Lights, City of Love, City of Culture, City of Photography. The history of photography, relatively short as it is, is deeply connected to this magical city. From the very invention of photography by Nicéphore Niépce and Louis Daguerre, to the beautiful and historic work of photographer Eugène Atget who in the late 1800s photograp...
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A Day At The Museum With Maggie Taylor :: Certainly No Ordinary Day
I believe I fell in love this past April 20th, on the last day of Maggie Taylor's exhibition at the Polk Museum of Art. I made it a point to see the work of this wonderfully gifted photo/artist in person. It is one thing to see an artist's work as presented in a book, or even online, but it is truly enchanting to be able to see original works in pe...
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Who Is An Artist?
For as long as there has been Art, there likely has been debates about what it is, and isn't. Not as often debated is the question of just who is an artist? There are boxes with labels that read: "Working Artist/Photographer", "Professional Artist/Photographer", "Amateur", "Hobbyist..." too many boxes to mention. The question always seems to bring...
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Navigating A Life Photographic
Navigating a life photographic, finding your way from first love to a life-long relationship of creativity is one of the most challenging things you will ever do, and potentially the most vital. How do you do it? How do you learn this ever changing medium, keep ahead of the trends, keep the enthusiasm alive when it feels like you spend more time on...
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Every Photograph You Create Is A Self-Portrait
If we really think about it, every photograph we create is a self-portrait. Notice I use the word create. Every image in which we as photographers put time and effort into creating, not simply clicking wildly, but with intention and deliberation, those images reflect an aspect of our own inner nature.
Whether we choose to photograph a landscape, a...
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What Is In Your Photographic Kitchen?
What is in your photographic kitchen? What herbs, seasonings and flavours do you most use? Like cooking, photography is a mixture of various techniques to make the best experience for both you and the viewer. Photographers may use presets and plug-ins and software enhancements to flavour an image in the same way a master chef or cooking enthusiast...
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If I Were An Artist
"If I were an artist... " how many times have I heard that from friends, and students and just folks in everyday conversation? So many people believe they lack the "artist gene", or that "je ne sais quoi" that allows one to be creative as easily as one breathes. Being an artist has nothing to do with what you do or don't do for a living. It has eve...
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Why creativeLIVE Matters
What is creativeLIVE? In short, it is a worldwide, on-line classroom for free while live, and during re-broadcasts, for pretty much all things creative. Geared strongly towards photography, and digital filmmaking and design, they have recently expanded the platform to include incredible business and marketing courses for creatives.
Brought to the...
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Filters, Plug-ins, Or Software?
"Use filters and plug-ins!" "Don't use filters or plug-ins!" It seems everyone in the photography industry has an opinion (or opinions) on this. Many teaching professionals, those with some standing and reputation, appear divided on the issue. A lively discussion over on David duChemin's blog got me thinking about this.
My simple take on it is thi...
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