creativity
In preparation for writing this reflection, I took some time to reflect on what this course has meant to me as an instructor. In short and technically, the course was truly not much different than most other courses. That simply being: complete assignments to earn credit.
Since each of my students was asked to cover the same event, I requested one thing from each of them from the start of the semester… to just share their story.
Read MoreCreating a powerful and impactful story or image no longer requires that the photojournalist carry a bag of expensive cameras, lenses, and tripods. Capturing and sharing creative, personal, and engaging stories has changed with the technology of today.
Read MoreI shared a classroom with more than 100 creatives this semester. We debated, laughed, conversed, and more than a few times confronted our personal comfort zones. They were challenged, inventive, and at times hesitant to share their authentic voice. But when they did, it made the difference.
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After a well needed and successful breather from classes over the past month, today is the beginning of my Spring semester and my yearlong sprint towards a December graduation. Aside from the annual reruns of holiday soundtracks, television programs, mountains of sugar coma sparkly treats, and family fruitcake, I was happy to occasionally locate some quality time for my own thoughts during the academic break.
Usually with a coffee mug at my side, I spent plenty of hours during the holidays with my varied and extremely eclectic film and instant camera collection. Dating as far back as the 1930s, each of them are secondhand, left behinds, or strays and all beautiful works of art in themselves. All have their own distinct character and personality and I can only imagine the stories, celebrations, and places they've each seen. Our eclecticism seems to parallel one another perfectly, promising an exciting journey as I search for light through their viewfinders this semester.
Together, we'll have a story to tell. No fruitcake required.
Without creating an exhaustive list of spectacular days, loving people, fab experiences, life rich opportunities, or unforgettable moments, I'll just say that each of those from my path in 2012 certainly left a personal creative mark on my soul. I spend far more days with a camera or two at my side than not, if for no other reason than to document where I've been. Those days are important because they also share with me where I need to go. Over the past 365 days, I captured thousands and thousands of images. Most were ordinary places, regular people, and all perfectly real life.
Two years ago today I began this blog specifically as a one year commitment for daily photo postings. Doing so forced me to be creative and strengthened my skills with my tools, but far more important, it taught me to open my eyes.
As I turn the corner on the New Year, I'm committing myself once again to at least one photo-a-day posting. These posts will assist me as I prepare my Graduate School thesis concentrating on innovative and experimental processes in film, instant, and digital photographic mediums.
13 is a lucky, ya’ll. Follow along.
Well into the chapters of my 50's, I welcomed the challenges that came with my continued life-learning path and enrollment into another Graduate program. Crossing those flashing broad yellow lines of Business and Engineering have certainly intrigued, and sometimes bewildered, my left brain's creative soul. I brought to our multi-disciplinary cohort however, those things that are inherently me. What else would I bring?
Turning the corner on December and now into the final days of my first full time semester in years, while also working full time, I'm spending plenty of hours listening to classical music while preparing for each of my final presentations. Without question, I'm also mentally preparing for that upcoming post semester block of "me" time. Before diving into those days of vinyl records, classic cinema, studios filled with cameras, easels, and restoring another 1975 Polaroid SX-70, I have a few tasks to complete first.
My world saving calendar will be extremely busy over the next 10 days. I'll be the guy resurrecting and saving a 140 plus year old brand with my $10 million marketing and advertising plan. Once that fire's put out, I'll spend the following day unraveling and correcting worldwide water filtration issues, while at the same time reversing global utrification concerns. Day three of my world saving agenda will commence after a nap of three or four hours. Then with my travel mug filled with a microwaved serving of day old coffee and a diagonally cut peanut butter sandwich, I’ll remedy aging at home problems while juggling a world class and masterful biomimicry solution, complete with hand crafted sock puppets and cardboard props.
Welcome Business and Engineering folk, you've now entered my world, one with an endless supply of dull blunt scissors, masking tape, and ripe imagination. Wipe your feet, buckle up, and keep all arms inside the car. You're now in the Creative Zone.
The Neverminds
I added a sewing machine to my studio last week. It’s my new creative tool. I spent months researching numerous machines before finally committing to my Brother machine. A big thank-you to Angie at Little Voice for her great recommendations. Be sure to take a look at her wonderful creative work.
After purchasing my machine, it sat in the sealed box, in the middle of my office floor for two days before I finally opened it. Fear. Finally, hours into the late evening of day three and my rookiedom became overly ecstatic after spooling my very, VERY first bobbin.
My plan is to explore one of a kind non-traditional doll making. Yep, doll making, but not your sister's doll. My sketchbook already has several pages of designs, doodles, and ideas waiting for a little fabric and thread. The Neverminds are misfits. They dig late nights and love reading liner notes. They’re the culprits behind my new creative spin and each is made from recycled, discarded, "i don't want you anymore" clothing. They remind me of me.
I’ll be the first to admit that I have plenty to learn. I'm ready. The way I see it, with my diverse record collection and their loose threads, this new friendship may be the perfect calling for each of us.
I’ve spent nearly a year posting to this daily blog. It’s been a wonderful learning experience on so many levels. First and foremost, the idea of posting at least one image a day was a dedication and commitment for me to work creatively every single day. It worked. Idle time has never served me very well, though one thing I’ve come to learn from this daily regiment is that I need to include some relaxation time in my life. I struggle with that, but I made a promise to myself that I’d get better at making that time happen. This will certainly be an ongoing work in progress and the verdict is still out.
I’ve become better with my tools too – my cameras, my post production and web design skills, merging social media with marketing, and even viewing the world with my naked eye. I’ve seen places I wouldn’t have normally seen, shaken hands and chatted with some of the realest people I’ve ever met, and surprisingly broke that hell-bent regimented routine of me just to see what I could see, to experience a moment out of my normalcy, and to capture an image I would never have imagined otherwise. I’ve also learned a bit more about myself through the things I’ve seen through my viewfinder; the typed words I’ve put together or deleted to form sentences, paragraphs, and stories; and by walking through my second year of sobriety with a clearer head and open eyes.
It would drive most people crazy, but order, projects, and organization keep me focused. This daily blog thing is nearing the goal I’d originally set for it. One year. Aside from over 15,000 images and a memorable collection of ventured paths from 2011, I’m not sure what becomes of this daily blog thing beyond its January 1, 2012 anniversary. Maybe I’ll celebrate by listening to some of my favorite music, reading a few liner notes, and drawing a large circle in the sand, …but I’m definitely ruling out a scrapbook.
My guess is I’ll come up with something.