Art to the Beholder

I am learning that photography has a lot to do with perspective just the same as illustration, both visually as well as philosophically. Composition is everything with the former, and taste, the latter. I have seen enough photos to understand that things like 'the rule of thirds' and color balance, etc. can mean the difference between something that is appealing and something that just doesn't sit right in your mind. The same can be said with taste, like music. I will never understand how anyone can listen to country music for more than 5 minutes before they wouldn't want to set an icepick to eardrums. Yet, people love it. That is what makes art so amazing, isn't it? Here we all are with a common thread of DNA, and so different in all other ways. Well anyway, this image taken of my mantle that is visually appealing to me for a reason I cannot explain... it just 'feels' balanced in composition and color. Maybe you disagree, but then again, there is no accounting for taste ;)

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Art for work-sake

In my current 'day job' profession, I am fortunate enough to be able to do at least some design and writing. Though the writing is for marketing purposes, and therefore not completely enjoyable or creative, the design aspect of my position allows me to maintain my skills as a graphic artist and designer. The projects may not be the most beautiful works, but they still create challenges of their own in design. Especially when those who ultimately review and approve the designs are not exactly 'artistically tuned'. We do employ freelance designers on occasion, but I often find their work falling short of the 'vision' I originally conceptualized in the collateral. Having done a major amount of freelance work myself, I find it often easier to just get my hands dirty and do the project alone. But my true love is working creatively for nothing other than the joy of making something that looks interesting. This is such an image created from a photo.

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Art and the Purist

A digression: I was speaking with an old friend a few weeks back after some 15 years since last I had seem him. During our reminiscence and catching up, I found out he has also taken up photography as a pursuit. We discussed whether altering a photo in Photoshop maintains the integrity of the art of photography. He has taken the path of the purist; if the photo is not to his liking through the lens, and only in its native form, he discards the photo and works for that perfection of the image by using the camera only. I completely respect that approach to photography and realize that many will argue that it is the true form of the art. Ansel Adams didn't have Adobe Suite CS4, and achieved the mastery by trusting the camera and darkroom alone. I, on the other hand, view the art of photography in a different light. My perspective is that the camera is the tool that creates my canvas, and Photoshop is the brush on that medium. My argument is that the old-school darkroom was in fact a primitive version of the computer, and Photoshop an advanced form of filters and lighting gels that were employed by those who did not have access to such technology. Regardless of whose side of the fence you reside, we can at least agree that photography is a wonderful medium for those of us who cannot paint, sculpt or draw too well, but have the insatiable desire to create. These images here are a couple of my first attempts to paint in photography of my own.

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Art through the Looking Glass

Photography is an art I have always wished to pursue, but for many reasons, had always eluded my grasp. I had taken a class in high school many years ago, learning the traditional dark room techniques and old-school film process, but never having the funds nor the time to dedicate to the art following those early years left me on the outside looking in. At one point, I decided to pursue my secret desire of the art a bit more and bought a Canon AE1 at the recommendation of my brother (a REAL professional photographer) and played around with it a bit. But in the pre-digital age, with kids to raise, jobs to pursue... it just wasn't feasible for me to give it the time I really wished that I could. I have always been a computer geek though, since the mid 80's with my first Commodore 64, so having the knowledge and skills for the evolving digital age is something I did pursue. Leap forward 20+ years and I finally have the time and means to indulge my hidden fantasy of being an amateur photographer. With some extra cash I managed to hoard I recently purchased a Canon EOS Rebel XSi. I love it. Finally, I am able to express my art through a visual medium that has eluded me all these years. More to come as I travel this path of freedom in art through the lens.

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