Sometimes a pause is all you need to restore creativity. Doing the same thing over and over can seem redundant...but take a break and you'll miss it...eventually. Stephen R. Covey taught "Sharpen The Saw" as the 7th principle in his 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Take a break. Think about something else. Re-focus. Sleep on it. Re-load/fuel/start, etc. As you resume, you'll be more effective.
I'm working on a photo a day project this year, and have noticed that on days where I take hundreds (or thousands) of photos, the following day I'm less inclined to pick up my camera. In most cases, I'm still trying to make time to review the previous images and learn from them. I believe I've only missed 3 days after 7 months, but I don't feel bad. It's a personal project, and although I'm short 3 images, I still have over 200 images in the collection.
Similar with this blog, I'm like many people who start a blog. We say what we have to say, then stop posting for a while. When I have something else to say, and time permits, I'll be back.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Creative Expression
Creativity takes many different forms. My best creative talent is photography. It is expressed by seeing an image, knowing what to include and what to exclude from the frame, choosing the right shutter speed to show the action with, knowing which aperture will include the objects I want in focus, and which to blur. Often, there's a decisive moment in which the peak action will occur, and that's when I shoot. Sometimes the background is distracting and I need to change my physical location in order to positively affect the background. Occasionally, a tilt of the camera is required to add a dynamic element. Choice of focal length is also very important; that helps include/exclude visual elements from the scene and either compress the subject or expand the depth perceived by the viewer. I also have to consider the viewers of my images, and how they'll see what I captured. Though it sounds like a lot to process and remember, it's all second nature and an extension of me. Fifteen years and a quarter of a million exposures later, I know what I'm doing and can explain how I get the results I have, and am happy to share with others. By no means do I think I know it all, but I know enough to be aware of so much more. As I learn one genre of photography, another becomes interesting, and the supply of genres is endless.
I also admire other artists and creative talents. One of which is my wife. She has been creating art since before we met. Her talents have evolved and she also finds new ways of expressing them. Listing them would be very time consuming, and I'm sure I'd miss more than I'd remember. One of my recent images shows her art nicely. She has been making Easel-backed cards by stamping, drawing, painting, coloring, embossing, die-cutting, embellishing, and then layering them into this three-dimensional result:
There are plenty more examples, and will continue to be. I look forward to those we mentor, especially our children and what they do with inherited talents and new ones developed on their own. We can be inspired by creativity across genres, mediums, disciplines and cultures, as long as we remain open to all sources. What talents do you have, and how are you sharing them?
I also admire other artists and creative talents. One of which is my wife. She has been creating art since before we met. Her talents have evolved and she also finds new ways of expressing them. Listing them would be very time consuming, and I'm sure I'd miss more than I'd remember. One of my recent images shows her art nicely. She has been making Easel-backed cards by stamping, drawing, painting, coloring, embossing, die-cutting, embellishing, and then layering them into this three-dimensional result:
There are plenty more examples, and will continue to be. I look forward to those we mentor, especially our children and what they do with inherited talents and new ones developed on their own. We can be inspired by creativity across genres, mediums, disciplines and cultures, as long as we remain open to all sources. What talents do you have, and how are you sharing them?
Friday, February 19, 2010
Color pigments of the past
I just heard the most incredible presentation about the history of colors in art (Bright Earth: Art and the Invention of Color
), and it made me think about photography in a similar way. Understanding where colors get their pigment, whether organic, mineral or modern chemical, as well as how it's bound to the surface (albumen vs. oil) makes me look at old paintings with a greater respect. If I were a painter, I'd definitely have more respect for the old masters who had to mix their own pigments with those various limitations.
From my experience, I began photographing as a pragmatist. It was far easier to take a picture and jot a couple notes about who, what & where, than it was to write a full page in my journal about that experience. Recalling the scene was definitely easier to see it in that instant, instead of taking the time to read a thousand words of inadequate notes. Growing beyond that, I wanted to share my vision with others, and not just save images for myself. I learned to better compose the picture, create visual interest and capture those moments.
My engineering brain had to understand how it all worked, and that was followed by the aesthetic beauty. When I began, digital imaging was not yet available to the public. In elementary school, the camera I used was the same camera my father used on his mission, and it took 126 cartridge film. In high school I used a point and shoot 35mm film camera. About 9 months into my mission, I bought an SLR and two lenses. When I returned, I spent my spare time between classes studying photography, reading more about equipment, analyzing other photgraphs, and understanding photographers. It was great to understand how daguerrotypes required a mercury vapor on the metal plate to work. I was amazed at how silver suspended in albumen and applied to glass plates was the way Ansel Adams and other nature photographers worked in the field. They would only take a couple dozen 16x20 panes, and if they didn't like the image, the glass got scraped clean and then re-exposed and processed in the field. Math was required to calculate exposure, depth of field, push-processing and other development for images.
I was very frugal in my film days too...every image cost money, so understanding the exposure was important for getting the shot. I took great notes, and when the film was processed, I checked to see whether I was successful or how to improve. Now, it's much easier because I can instantly review my shots digitally. The adjustments can be made and new images taken. In my opinion, beginners should take the time to understand the mechanics of a camera and the process of making an image. The appreciation gained will add respect to those who had to do it manually in the past.
I've worked in wet darkrooms (developing film and processing enlargements), as well as digital. I've used enlargers with black and white as well as color print films. I've also printed images which were born digital. Lately, I've even captured images at events, and immediately displayed them on screen, giving them a full digital life from the input to output stages.
Those hundreds of rolls of film each year were not a wasted expense. I have that experience and tens of thousands of images which refined my craft and are the foundation of the hundred thousand digital images which followed. My images are still carefully composed and exposed in the same mindset, giving me better results than someone who shoots everything, hoping to find a few gems during their lengthy post-processing step.
I am grateful for those who paved the way and became the giants whose shoulders I stand on today. Thank you as well to the modern masters who can and do share their knowledge with others.
), and it made me think about photography in a similar way. Understanding where colors get their pigment, whether organic, mineral or modern chemical, as well as how it's bound to the surface (albumen vs. oil) makes me look at old paintings with a greater respect. If I were a painter, I'd definitely have more respect for the old masters who had to mix their own pigments with those various limitations.From my experience, I began photographing as a pragmatist. It was far easier to take a picture and jot a couple notes about who, what & where, than it was to write a full page in my journal about that experience. Recalling the scene was definitely easier to see it in that instant, instead of taking the time to read a thousand words of inadequate notes. Growing beyond that, I wanted to share my vision with others, and not just save images for myself. I learned to better compose the picture, create visual interest and capture those moments.
My engineering brain had to understand how it all worked, and that was followed by the aesthetic beauty. When I began, digital imaging was not yet available to the public. In elementary school, the camera I used was the same camera my father used on his mission, and it took 126 cartridge film. In high school I used a point and shoot 35mm film camera. About 9 months into my mission, I bought an SLR and two lenses. When I returned, I spent my spare time between classes studying photography, reading more about equipment, analyzing other photgraphs, and understanding photographers. It was great to understand how daguerrotypes required a mercury vapor on the metal plate to work. I was amazed at how silver suspended in albumen and applied to glass plates was the way Ansel Adams and other nature photographers worked in the field. They would only take a couple dozen 16x20 panes, and if they didn't like the image, the glass got scraped clean and then re-exposed and processed in the field. Math was required to calculate exposure, depth of field, push-processing and other development for images.
I was very frugal in my film days too...every image cost money, so understanding the exposure was important for getting the shot. I took great notes, and when the film was processed, I checked to see whether I was successful or how to improve. Now, it's much easier because I can instantly review my shots digitally. The adjustments can be made and new images taken. In my opinion, beginners should take the time to understand the mechanics of a camera and the process of making an image. The appreciation gained will add respect to those who had to do it manually in the past.
I've worked in wet darkrooms (developing film and processing enlargements), as well as digital. I've used enlargers with black and white as well as color print films. I've also printed images which were born digital. Lately, I've even captured images at events, and immediately displayed them on screen, giving them a full digital life from the input to output stages.
Those hundreds of rolls of film each year were not a wasted expense. I have that experience and tens of thousands of images which refined my craft and are the foundation of the hundred thousand digital images which followed. My images are still carefully composed and exposed in the same mindset, giving me better results than someone who shoots everything, hoping to find a few gems during their lengthy post-processing step.
I am grateful for those who paved the way and became the giants whose shoulders I stand on today. Thank you as well to the modern masters who can and do share their knowledge with others.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
One Photo A Day
Have you ever been challenged creatively? I'm trigger-happy when there's something to shoot, but sometimes life keeps me too busy to pick up a camera. This year, I'm working hard to make a new photo every day, regardless of how busy I am, how crazy everything is, or in spite of any other excuse. So far, on those busy days, I've had to take pictures while driving, of food, or other odd things I see around me. Most of the time, though, I'm doing what creatively needs to be done - creating opportunities for making images. This is helping me grow and continue observing more than would have otherwise been seen.
If you'd like to play along, be my guest! Share your images with me, and I'll keep updating mine here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2047211&id=1109361005&l=3971309d04
If you'd like to play along, be my guest! Share your images with me, and I'll keep updating mine here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2047211&id=1109361005&l=3971309d04
Friday, January 1, 2010
A New Decade for Photography
Happy New Year! In reflecting back on the past, I've been able to see my progression as a photographer.
1970s - As a young child, I was the subject of photos and occasionally played with Grandpa's twin lens reflex camera.
1980s - The years went on and my siblings took the spotlight, so they were the more common subject of family photos. I often had a roll of film which spanned the events of more than one year. My dad was the example for always carrying a camera and documenting the people at each event.
1990s - After graduating high school and spending some time on my mission, I discovered photography as a more convenient method of documenting my activities. Growing frustrated with my point-and-shoot camera not being able to focus through windows, or have proper nighttime exposures, I learned how to use an SLR. Returning home and gaining notoriety as a guy with a good camera and a great eye, the decade of weddings began. David Thomas Photography was now a business, and by the latter half of the decade, had an online presence (www.dt-photo.com). I was actively involved in the YSA program and gained a reputation as a great and affordable wedding photographer. That grew into a business which provided the majority of my income for a time and gave me lots of experience to sharpen my skills. Taking a couple of years of classes through Covina's Tri-Community School of Photography helped me earn a certificate and gave me exposure to industry experts who still worked in the field of photography.
2000s - Starting a family gave me plenty of excuses to photograph kids and polish my portrait skills. The film to digital transition was another adventure which kept me focused on family more thant clients, but still provided plentiful learning experiences. I'm still soaking up knowledge from so many sources, especially websites and podcasts, where before I was limited to monthly magazines and occasional bookstore visits. Hundreds of thousands of exposures, more than half a dozen cameras and quite a few lenses have added to my experience and I'm enjoying photography as much as ever.
2010s - Looking at photography now as more of an art form than a revenue stream has taken away pressure of drawing an income and will allow me to continue enjoying my talent.
1970s - As a young child, I was the subject of photos and occasionally played with Grandpa's twin lens reflex camera.
1980s - The years went on and my siblings took the spotlight, so they were the more common subject of family photos. I often had a roll of film which spanned the events of more than one year. My dad was the example for always carrying a camera and documenting the people at each event.
1990s - After graduating high school and spending some time on my mission, I discovered photography as a more convenient method of documenting my activities. Growing frustrated with my point-and-shoot camera not being able to focus through windows, or have proper nighttime exposures, I learned how to use an SLR. Returning home and gaining notoriety as a guy with a good camera and a great eye, the decade of weddings began. David Thomas Photography was now a business, and by the latter half of the decade, had an online presence (www.dt-photo.com). I was actively involved in the YSA program and gained a reputation as a great and affordable wedding photographer. That grew into a business which provided the majority of my income for a time and gave me lots of experience to sharpen my skills. Taking a couple of years of classes through Covina's Tri-Community School of Photography helped me earn a certificate and gave me exposure to industry experts who still worked in the field of photography.
2000s - Starting a family gave me plenty of excuses to photograph kids and polish my portrait skills. The film to digital transition was another adventure which kept me focused on family more thant clients, but still provided plentiful learning experiences. I'm still soaking up knowledge from so many sources, especially websites and podcasts, where before I was limited to monthly magazines and occasional bookstore visits. Hundreds of thousands of exposures, more than half a dozen cameras and quite a few lenses have added to my experience and I'm enjoying photography as much as ever.
2010s - Looking at photography now as more of an art form than a revenue stream has taken away pressure of drawing an income and will allow me to continue enjoying my talent.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Window Models
After photographing a wedding at the San Diego Temple, it was lunch time, so we visited a local mall. As we were walking through University Town Center, a tux shop had nothing in the window display, so I asked if we could use the space for a few minutes. Greg & Raela jumped up and posed as a crowd gathered on the outside and I clicked away through the glass. It made for some great shots which had them looking like posed mannequins.
Lesson learned: Always be creative, willing to ask and improvise.
Lesson learned: Always be creative, willing to ask and improvise.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Groomsmen and Dad in Pool
Setting: Backyard reception...around a pool. The Groomsmen let me know in advance that they were going to throw the Groom into the pool. He made it known that he wouldn't go in without a fight, so when the time came, the 4 groomsmen holding him were also being held by him. This meant there was only one way to get him in the pool and sothey all ran and jumped in while holding him! Moments later, the Groom thought it would be fun to make sure everyone in a tux was in the pool, so they cornered the Father of the Groom and started to carry him toward the pool. As they went (rather quickly) the dad tried to save what he could, tossing his watch and wallet to a bystander. He was unable to get his shoes off in time though, and one of my favorite memories is watching him wipe the water from his face and then capturing an image of him standing chest-high in the pool, pouring water out of his shoe.
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