Deleted Images

Where do deleted images go? Well, if they are truly deleted they are pretty much gone. But there is an alternative.....a deleted image purgatory, if you will. A place where they are gone from your possession but can still 'live on'. See them here. Some deleted images are actually quite compelling, to others if not to the original photographer. Images like this.

However, some deleted images really do deserve to be deleted :>)

Mischief

These gargoyle images are slowly becoming a collection. I am starting to think that each one can be named as an emotion, similar to the seven dwarfs in Snow White! The expression on this one said "mischievous" to me....like a young child getting caught doing something he shouldn't have been doing.

"Mischievous"
Copyright Howard Grill

Quick Quotes: Andy Warhol

"An artist is someone who produces things that people don't need to have..."

Andy Warhol

This one makes me smile...has that Andy Warhol 'edge' to it!

The War Of Art

I am frequently on the lookout for books about art and creativity and especially for books about art AND creativity. I have previously written a fairly extensive post about the book entitled Art & Fear: Observations On the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by Bayles and Orland here, here, and here . In my mind, this is the standard to which all books regarding art, creativity and the harnessing of creative energy should be compared. Art and Fear is a five star book if ever there was one and if you are interested in the arts, or in producing art, you should definitely get a copy.

Recently, I began reading another book dealing with the same type of issues of creativity and the production of artwork entitled The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield. Mr. Pressfield’s thesis is that there are an innumerable number of hindrances that one can find to inhibit the production of their artwork. He lumps them together as so called Resistances. The ability to identify these Resistances is an important first step in overcoming them, and overcoming them we must if we are to live a creative life and produce work that lives up to our inner potential. In fact, we can, by understanding these Resistances, learn to work through the things that would normally keep us from moving forward.

Overall, I feel there are some excellent and thought provoking ideas discussed in the book. At times I feel that Pressfield goes just a bit overboard but, nonetheless, after reading the book I do feel that I have a better understanding of how to get myself to move forward artistically and for that reason alone would recommend the book to anyone interested in these types of issues. Just understand that you might not agree with all Pressman’s ideas and conclusions (ie I found myself disagreeing with the premise that only when doing something professionally can you be fully committed to it). However, I guarantee that you will find many useful insights in this relatively short and quick read.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from Pressfield's little gem of a book:

In regards to self-doubt about one's ability...

"Self-doubt can be an ally. This is because it serves as an indicator of aspiration. It reflects love, love of something we dream of doing, and desire, desire to do it. If you find yourself asking yourself (and your friends), "Am I really a writer? Am I really an artist?" chances are you are.

The counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident. The real one is scared to death."

In regards to fear...

"Are you paralyzed with fear? That's a good sign.

Fear is good. Like self-doubt, fear is an indicator. Fear tells us what we have to do."

In regards to rejection....

"The professional keeps his eye on the doughnut and not on the hole. He reminds himself it's better to be in the arena, getting stomped by the bull, than to be up in the stands or out in the parking lot"

Definitely a worthwhile book....I give it 4/5 stars.

Angel

I've been enjoying the Gargoyle show over at Phipps. The last image I showed from the show was rather grotesque. Here is one that is just a bit more peaceful.

I am continuing to experiment with black and white conversion and sepia toning in this series. The initial gargoyle image was toned in Lightroom. This one is toned in Photoshop using the gradient map technique:

"Angel"
Copyright Howard Grill

Quick Quotes: David DuChemin

"The worst response to an image is not dislike but indifference"

David DuChemin

Think about that for a while! For those not familiar with DuChemin he has a wonderful blog here. For some inspiration have a look at some of his $5.00 e-books.

Post Processing

People frequently ask about post-processing. When shooting in RAW format, there are really two ways in which post processing is used. The first is to convert the RAW image into what was there, or at least the way we remember it to be. This has to be done in order to convert the sensor data into an image. If you shoot in JPEG, the same thing must happen, only the camera does it for you. The second is to then potentially convert the image into something a bit beyond reality. To give it your own interpretation. This is art, not news documentary.

Often, I use post-processing to make an image appear the way I imagine it to be or to portray it with a certain feeling behind it. As an example, I thought I would use the Gargoyle image I posted a few days ago now that I have done some more work on it.

I wanted to make the viewer focus more fully on the gargoyle, so I darkened the background. In addition, I wanted the gargoyle to look 'scarier' so I brought out more of the detail in the statue and added a bit of toning as well. Subtle changes that I think make the image more effective, though not everyone may agree.

Gargoyle I - Initial Post Processing
Copyright Howard Grill

Gargoyle I - "Interpretive" Post Processing
Copyright Howard Grill

Getting Work Out There

As I was leisurely taking some photos the other day, I began thinking about the fact that the images were about to go into my personal collection. I was just having fun, so the pictures weren't serious photographs, but it made me start to think about the images I have that are good (or at least I like them). Those are also in my personal collection. But how do they get to see the light of day? How does one get these photographs to be seen by others who might appreciate them and their message? It doesn't do anyone any good to have them sitting on a hard drive 'living in the dark'.

It seems to me there is only one answer, and that is to get your work 'out there'. The problem is, of course, that getting it 'out there' is hard work! I had always thought that the 'work' (if you can call it that) was in the taking, processing, and printing of photographs. Turns out that is just the preparation involved with getting the artwork ready to 'go out into the world'.

So one of my goals is to try a bit harder to get my images 'out there'. In an effort to do this, I am going to be submitting more of my work to juried shows and magazine submissions. I think many folks don't realize how time consuming and difficult that aspect of 'being an artist' really is!