Starting this month, I have decided to try something different with my PAD. Instead of continuing to use it for random images, I am going to commit to using a specific lense, technique, or type of photo for a month at time. And because the whole point of this is to try different things and improve specific skills, my intent will be to post an image several times a week, if not daily.
Why have I decided to do this? I recently returned from a photo trip with several other photographers. On photo trips, out of our usual environment, the main focus of our time is making and reviewing images. It's easy to get excited and inspired in such a situation. Since we're supposed to be making photographs, in fact, have probably spent a significant amount of money to do so, we don't feel guilty about taking time away from something else that we "should" be doing. We get up early and stay up late to make photographs, instead of sleeping in or squandering too much time on television or the internet. And we learn from, inspire, and encourage one another.
If distilled to their basic elements, the benefits of such a trip can be defined as commitment, time, willingness to learn and try new things, and nurturing of our creativity. Even before the trip begins, we have committed to setting aside our time for several days to focus on our photography, in a prearranged geographic location. Because we have this protected time, we find ourselves much more free to experiment, practice techniques, try out new things. We learn from and share with the instructor(s) and other participants. Seeing different places and things, being with other photographers, and having this committed period of time all nurture and stimulate our creative energy. As a result, we come home excited anew with creating great photographs. Great!!!
Back to the real world, the demands of everyday living must be attended to. Many days, we are too busy or tired, (or both)to get out the camera. When we do, for an outing or family function, perhaps, we often fall into the same ruts because we're with other people who aren't photographers who are wondering why we can't just go ahead and take the picture, already! Or we have a little time squeezed out of our day and we feel rushed. We probably don't interact with other photographers daily or even several days a week. We may have little in our everyday life that nurtures that creative spirit within.
So, the purpose of this project is to force me to build some aspects of a dedicated photo trip into everyday life. If I give myself a monthly assignment, I have COMMITTED myself to making some regular TIME for photography in which I utilize a piece of equipment or technique regularly for a month. This repeated practice means I will expand my LEARNING on a regular basis, instead of repeating the same stuff all the time. I will post the images I make on this gallery, thus SHARING with other photographers on a regular basis. While online interaction isn't the same as being with other photographers in real time, it is still participation in a creative community. And by COMMITTING regular TIME to making photographs, LEARNING, and SHARING with other photographers, I will be NURTURING my creative self. The images that appear in this gallery may very well not be my best. Doing my best work here is not the point; spending regular time increasing my knowledge of the art and craft of photography is. I welcome comments and feedback, negative as well as positive.
Oh, and the project for the month of July is making images with my Lensbaby.
