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PWS Members Share Tales of Inspiration
By Jerry Currier | Wisdom and Inspiration |
Apr 1, 2006
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Have you ever asked yourself what may have been the motivation behind
the conception of some work of art, music or literature you enjoy and
admire? For most of us the creative process is complex and
difficult to define. Many of the greatest artistic minds have
struggled with trying to describe creativity.
Recently, eXclusive members of photoworkshop.com were challenged to
post an image and explain what had motivated the creation of that
image.
The responses were varied, emotional and, above all, inspirational.
In July of 2005 Double Exposure published an article, “When the Well Runs Dry” (http://www.photoworkshop.com/double_exposure/publish/WhenTheWell.shtml) that examined using other areas of artistic endeavor for photographic inspiration.
Jan Isachsen
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| © Jan Isachen |
As an example of how non-photographic art can inspire creative photographic effort, Jan Isachen writes:
"My greatest source of inspiration comes from an old master in
painting, Norwegian Edvard Munch (best known for “The Scream”), an
often-misunderstood master who was finished with his expressionist work
even before Expressionism became a trend in the art world."
Jerry W. Kelley
An image may be created when the photographer desires to make a
statement. Here, Jerry Kelley shares his photographic philosophy:
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| © Jerry Kelly |
"I made this photographic illustration for the front cover for the
first issue of a new, local, progressive and independent
newspaper. Just one street over (from where this image was shot)
is this area’s most popular place for nightlife, food, entertainment
and art. The city and neighborhood like to stress to how safe this area
is. Unfortunately, they also try to keep any acts of violence quiet.
One month ago a young woman was walking in this very spot at night and
attacked by a man who jumped out of the bushes, grabbed her, then beat,
robbed and raped her. The woman recovered and the city wanted her to
keep quiet about what had happened. She decided not to and, against her
family's wishes, she now wants to go pubic.
I originally asked her if she would let me photograph her in the spot
and she, understandably, said, 'No.' So this image is what I came
up with to illustrate what happened to her and, hopefully, this picture
and story will help people be aware of their surroundings when walking
at night."
Cheri Homaee
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| © Cheri Homaee |
Often, a personal emotional state can be an inspiration. Cheri Homaee reveals how an image was conceived due to loneliness:
"I took this when I was kind of lonely. My son had gone to visit some friends,
next year he's going off to college and we do everything
together. My husband was out of town, so I was feeling sorry for
myself. I saw this tree by itself and I felt like I wasn't the only one
alone."
Ken Jackson
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| © Ken Jackson |
We all live lives touched by the needs of others. Often the
demands created by these needs can be daunting and we need to find some
respite. Ken Jackson found a way to recharge his personal reserves
and create some beautiful images:
"This image is a recent one and I don't know how it'll hold up, but
right now it is a compelling one for me. In recent weeks when I was in
Florida looking after my mother as she went from hospital to rehab to
hospice, I needed to take a break from time to time. The public beach
on Siesta Key was only 10 minutes from where I stayed, so several
mornings I went out there just before sunrise to meditate and
photograph. This image brings back the strong sense I had of living
always on a shifting edge between worlds."
Phil Snyder
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| © Phil Snyder |
Setting personal goals is an excellent way to grow artistically.
Phil Snyder discovered some fine images when he decided to set a goal
for himself of photographing waterfalls in difficult light:
"This picture is one of my favorites. It was one of my first sessions
of waterfall hunting and using long exposures. This is the image that
made me fall in love all over again with photography. I took it because
it was really dark out and you could just see the little hints of the
rock formations and it kind of spoke to me. "I am bridging the gap over
the vigorous waters and chasms below. I am the support and keeper. I
see all. I will be here long after you are gone. I am the ugly and the
beauty. As I keep our waters flowing."
Diana Sanzone
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| © Diana Sanzone |
Sometimes a photographer will see an image in his/her mind that
doesn't exist in reality; a vision that later bears fruit in the
darkroom—whether digital or chemical—as Diana Sanzone shows us here:
"Brooklyn. Many people were on the pier, sitting, strolling, fishing. I
took many shots, but one family held my attention. It was parents and
four children. They appeared to be a very close family, fishing
together. It seemed their lines were tangled, and they were spending
some time trying to untangle them. The youngest (shown) wandered in and
out of the scene. This time she went over to her mother who hugged her
and started playfully swirling her around—to the child's obvious glee.
It was such a warm and loving relationship. I snapped what I could. I
used various filters in Photoshop to enhance the feeling of movement
and the shimmering of the water."
Jim McKinniss
When Jim McKinnis thought about what image to post as an example
of photographic inspiration, he chose an image with deep personal
meaning to him. As Jim explains:
"I thought a lot before posting this image. In fact, I cancelled the
first post before clicking the post button and this message has been
waiting to be posted for a day now. It is a very personal image and
still has a lot of impact on me.
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| © Jim McKinnis |
I took the photo on slide film in 1986. It is a picture of my wife,
Sara, when she was 28. We were on a camping trip in Yosemite and were
walking down the trail from Nevada Falls. I fell in love with Sara literally from the moment I first saw her
seven years earlier. To me the picture conveys more than her physical
beauty. I never showed this to her so I have no idea what she was
thinking about.
I married her five years later when she was dying from cervical cancer. She passed away 24 days later.
When I took this, I'd only been shooting for about a year and didn't
really know what I was doing. It is one of those lucky shots that we
all get at times. Regardless of how skilled a photographer I become and
whatever great photos I manage to capture, this one will always be the
one I like the most."
Hopefully these stories will be an inspiration for others in the quest for beauty and artistic fulfillment.
Editor's Note: We
thank the PWS members for sharing their wonderful images and motivation
behind their photos in this story. Their stories can serve as
inspiration for everyone.
Let us know if you found this article useful, and tell us what kinds of articles you'd like to see in upcoming issues. Send your comments and ideas to the editor.
© Copyright 2010 by PHOTOWORKSHOP.COM
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Last Updated: Jul 29th, 2010 - 13:28:46
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Wisdom and Inspiration: Additional Articles
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