It is funny how life can get away from you sometimes. For the past few weeks I’ve been so busy I have not have much time to write and even less time to pick up my camera to make new images. Over the last few nights, we’ve had some amazing sunsets here in southern California, as well as some very welcome winter weather; combined, this has all made me miss my camera and the outdoors so much more. So, a few days ago, when I realized I had an entire day for a hike, I took advantage of it.
A recent storm had given the mountains and foothills a slight dusting of snow; I liked the juxtaposition between the desert ecosystem (one we usually consider to be ‘hot’) and the coldness of the snow. The canyon I chose to hike up felt frigid, with several hours remaining before the sun would find its granite walls. It was nice to feel the cold air on my skin as I moved up the canyon; after what felt like a scorching summer, I welcomed the chill.
Winter in the desert, November 2012
As the day progressed, the long light of fall gave a lovely feeling to the day: autumnal perfection. Although the snow is sure to melt without another storm, it hung gracefully in the shadows while the sun warmed my bones. I couldn’t have written a more perfect day if I had tried; it was exactly what my soul and mind needed.
| |, November 2012
During my hike, my thought process centered on art, photography, and creativity. I had brought my camera with me, and I tried making some images; some succeeded. I went hiking with the intent of getting a good workout and enjoying some time outside, photography was admittedly secondary. I can’t help but feel, however, that natural pattern, light, and beauty are all around us–art is all around us. There is a lot of discussion over exactly what art is. . As landscape photographers, we spend a lot of time (and money) traveling to the “best” locations at the best times of year to make beautiful images…then we try sticking a label on it (and worry about what others think). I wonder if, we are limited only by our ability to see the art that is all around us?
Last rays, November 2012
We are all on a personal journey to create art. How do you go about that? How would you tell someone to embark on their own journey? Brooks Jensen recently gave some of the best advice for creating moving art here; this is the strongest statement I’ve seen on the subject:
Produce your work to the very best of your ability. Send it out into the world. Listen to feedback, but measure it against your instincts. Learn from the feedback, but don’t supplicate yourself to it. Produce more work to the best of your ability. Be honest with yourself. Strive for deeper understanding and expression with all you’ve got. Give your work and yourself time to mature. Finish things so you can let go and move on. As has been so often said, even a fool who persists may eventually become wise. Then produce more work and plunge deeper into the process of awareness and expression. Soon, you will no longer care about the terms used to describe your work — snapshot or “Fine Art.” Do not confuse the map with the territory.
I think, ultimately, the landscape photographer has a choice: to create images that simply are what they are, or to let the “reptilian scales” be peeled from their eyes and truly see what is around them, perhaps in the process creating images that truly move the viewer.
I agree with Jensen. Listen to feedback but measure it against your own gut and don’t worry whether you are producing “art” or not. That will all take care of itself with time and development. What he left out, at least of the paragraph above, is that it is extremely important WHO you ask to give you feedback. Be very careful who you listen to when you take feedback.
Sounds like a wonderful day in the wilderness Greg!
I agree that time spent outdoors should be a full, enriching experience, whether making images is the primary goal or a just good workout with camera in hand.
Labeling art is a tricky business both for the creator and viewer and should remain secondary to the experience at the time an image is made. My goal is always to convey my emotion through the medium then see how the world reacts, but never put too much weight on whether it is perceived as “art”.
I think it is all too easy to get wrapped up in the circus of Social Media these days and truly forget why we take images in the first place. A release for our soul, our expression, our passion and love for the landscape.
It is a tough juggling act to remain true to our hearts while at the same time securing a living and paying the rent.
Once again I find myself gravitating towards my strengths and doing the things I love, not what I think others will like. I agree fully with your post, and love I I
cheers
A really good set of thoughts Greg.
I would agree that the most important step in creating landscape photographs is first understanding and appreciating our surroundings. Conveying the emotions that we experience from our time spent in nature is such an important part of the process.
If there’s one thing I’m most grateful for that photography has given me it’s a better appreciation for nature. It’s forced me to look closer at the land around us which has revealed so many small details that I may not have noticed otherwise.
There are photographs everywhere waiting to be created, it’s only when you stop and closely look for them that they show themselves. Your collection of images in this post are proof of that!
Thanks for the comments, everyone! I agree with your notion that it is a balancing act to remain true to yourself while trying to please the masses; hopefully those things are one and the same.
Similarly, I agree with the idea that photography affects how you see the world–I find myself looking for pattern and light everywhere, something I didn’t do before. It’s an interesting phenomenon.
I like what Jensen says also but more intrigued with your statement just before that we all are on “personal journey to create art.” I enjoy your journey, seeing and reading what it is like. I also am enjoying my journey to create art but more importantly as I grow in my connection with our natural world. I keep finding more peace and serenity each day. Onward Greg!