“What separates artists from ex-artists is that those who challenge their fears, continue; those who don’t, quit. Each step in the artmaking process puts that issue to the test.” Art and Fear
Crooked Fence
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Fence at Rowland Moore Park -
Learning to Work
Sunset at Riverbend Ponds “Artists get better by sharpening their skills or by acquiring new ones; they get better by learning to work, and learning from their work.” Art & Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland
After almost 2 years of sitting on the shelf I’m rereading the book Art & Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland. This was one of those books where I highlighted all sorts of phrases. They still speak to me. I also found a couple of chapters that seem to have been added since the first time I read it. Have you noticed that?
I’ve always felt I’m in the process of learning from my photography. I figuring out how to take better images both technically with the tools I have and how I see this world. It’s the learning to work that seems to needs more development in my life. A boss, co-workers and a steady paycheck were the my motivations in corporate life. Working as an artist , whether as a professional or amateur, requires disciplines I’m working on. Now that I’m in this semi-retirement process I’m also learning how to work as an artist. I’m also in Phoenix visiting my parents so I’m also learning to relax.
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Todays Work
Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains “All you can work on today is directly in front of you. Your job is to develop an imagination of the possible.”
Art & Fear by David Bayles and Ted OrlandWhile on a trip to the Smoky Mountains I dropped and broke my Nikon 80-400mm VR lens, a $1400 loss. Ouch! Needles to say I spent the last 3 days of our 7 day trip with nothing but two other Nikon lens, a 16-35mm and 24-85mm. Now my longest focal range dropped from 400mm to 85mm, what was I going to shoot?
The first morning we were able to shoot in Cades Cove we were met with fog, wonderful fog. Along with the fog comes the heaviness of the morning dew, so needles to say we were pretty wet by the time we returned to the hotel. I noticed a barb wire fence covered with dew near the Tipton Place and wandered over to have a look-see. I discovered this grasshopper hanging upside down and patiently waiting for the morning sun to dry his body for the days activities. Since the 24-85mm also had macro capabilities it worked great for me to get some nice images. The fog was burning off and you can see the sun approaching in the background. This image was one of my first attempts at macro photography and spurred the purchase a nice macro lens. So, I ended up working on what was in front of me.