by successfulbob | art books, photography, photography - art quote, photography books, photography education, success education
Always looking for inspiration outside of photography to help with the creative side… And today let’s take a walk far, far away from the photographer’s world and into getting the brain to fire on all cylinders for some creativity.
“Only that day dawns to which we are awake.” Henry David Thoreau, in Walden
Have you ever driven somewhere and wondered how you got there??
Do you enjoy the cascade of water flowing over you during your shower? Do you even feel it?
What was the last really good meal you had? Were you actually there for it and can remember it? In detail?
Do you really look at yourself in the mirror or are you so busy doing whatever it is you are doing you don’t really see?
“What the hell does this have to do with creativity Bob??” You ask.
Here what I believe. We are so busy living in the past or the future that there is no way to truly harness our brains for as much creativity as possible. By that I mean we spend way too much time fretting over something in the past like an angry conversation that keeps playing over and over in our head. Or, we are constantly worried about the possibility of something that might go wrong in the future. Or, trying so hard to get to that ‘successful’ place that will make us finally make us happy – you know, having more money, or being able to travel to that magical destination, or finding a new partner… Pick that thing that’s always in the future that we KNOW will make us happy, rather than being happy now.
If we enjoy THIS moment – RIGHT NOW – and live in this moment as much as possible we open up our brains to concentrate on what we are working on with no distractions from the past or future will allow us to be open to new ideas and creative combinations.
The job of the brain is to create thoughts. LOTS of thoughts. Many of these thoughts can take us away from where we might want to be at any one moment. It is also responsible for doing many things automatically to keep us alive like breathing, our heart beating, muscles moving so we can walk and move. The problem comes when we are so busy allowing our brain to do so many things automatically we don’t control our thoughts and allow our them to control us our life can pass by in a flurry and we have not had a chance to enjoy it – or be as creative as we might be.
How do you gain back control? Meditation is a great way to find out how the brain is working to our detriment. “Wait a minute Bob, I’m not going to sit in a corner looking at my navel!” I don’t suggest that by any means. What I do suggest is learning how to “be in the moment”. Learn a practice called Mindfulness.
I’m still workng on it myself but finding it to be extremely helpful and this is a great place to start. A book called Whereever You Go There you Are, – by Jon Kabat-Zinn Give it read. (I’ve given you a link to the Kindle version as the hard copy is currently out of stock) Try some of his suggestions and let me know how it’s been a help to you. It’s under ten bucks and a little bit of your time. I think you will be extremely surprised… in your everyday life as well as your creative life.
Your in Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | photography - art quote, photography education
Two quotes grace today’s Sunday Photo/Art Quote. Since they are from the minds of sixth graders I will not try to expand on their thoughts because I don’t want to color your interpretation of their words…
“Art is your emotions flowing in a river of imagination.” Devin, Los Cerros Middle School, 1999
Art is the colors and textures of your imagination.” Meghan, Los Cerros Middle School, 1999
Simple changes of words, tremendous change of meaning. I invite you to start the conversation here…
Yours, In Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | art books, photography - art quote, photography education
I often find myself thinking am I really any good as a photo artist? Some days the answer is a timid yes… Some days not so much. Am I a pretender? Sometimes I just don’t know the answer. Which brings us to today’s Photo/Art quote.
“If you find yourself asking yourself (and your friends), “Am I really a writer? Am I really an artist?” chances are you are. The counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident. The real one is scared to death.”
― Steven Pressfield, The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks & Win Your Inner Creative Battles
Personal projects are a fabulous way to stretch when confidence wanes.
I want to share a TED TALK with Miru Kim who explored ruined urban spaces with a camera and an imagination to tell a story. You can see she is really brave with her art but nervous to talk about it. Called My Underground Art Watch and see if any ideas occur to you. Spread your wings. Open your mind – and see where you are taken….
Yours in Photography, Bob
PS – You don’t have to do your personal project naked…
by successfulbob | photography, photography - art quote
Unknown and Anonymous are some pretty prolific writers and many times have distilled thoughts down to a very small number of words that have a big impact. Today’s Photo/Art quote comes from Unknown…
“The earth without art is just ‘eh’. Unknown
Plays on words, or portions of words are fun and this one resonates with me. So let’s move this to the photography world where you and I hang out… “Are you taking ‘pitchers’ or are you creating Art?”
I like to think I am creating Art but sometimes (probably too often) I find I am just taking images rather than making or creating them. You ask, “What’s the difference?” It comes down to planning, thought, timing, execution, experience, having the right equipment in the right place at the right time with the right light.
I respectfully ask again, “Are you taking pictures? Or, are you creating ART?”
Yours in Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | photography, photography - art quote, photography education
Today’s Sunday photo/art quote comes from French poet, playwright, short story writer, novelist, and art critic from Poland, Guillaume Apollinaire. He had a much longer string of names and quite a history which you can peek at here. Definitely worth a perusal!
“Color is the fruit of life.” Guillaume Apollinaire
Six words.
So many ideas explode in my brain as I repeat those six words to myself. What jumps into your mind? I think this calls for a photo project exploring color. And fruit. And??? Let’s see what we can come up with. Show me your stuff! Explore color this week.
Yours in Photography, Bob
