The photographer's sheltered life!

borrowed from aphotoeditor.com

Peaked creatively?

I've been struggling lately about whether I have the ability to maintain a creative outlook on all challenges that come my way.  Working full time for a company that sells the creative process (in my case the photographic and production of photography process) can be somewhat tiresome.  Going to work every day to produce quality, creative images at an expected level where most would see in editorial print is rather exhausting, then add to that the constant scrutiny and criticism of your contemporaries and peers (and clients) you'd think I have the skin of a rhino.  What's more, I maintain a self-employed status and offer my photography services commercially for clients as well.  Am I crazy?  Can I truly maintain an edge sharp enough to compete creatively with the new emerging talents in this industry as much as I desire too?  I recently read an article about how most creatives peak at a specific age in their career (here).  Arguments made, examples given, then left feeling lumped into some category of mediocrity with an enormously large number of individuals in this society, all clambering for some sense of success and greatness.  It seems I'm not alone in my quiet struggles, it seems many others read that article and feel similar to myself, but also seem to greatly agree with the argument that we all just peak creatively and that's all there is to it.  Why do I feel offended by it then?

Seems though that I don't 'like' or agree with the article much.  Yes I struggle, I will always admit that.  But to feel I have nothing else inside me to offer, spark or flame creatively just because I've reached a certain age?  Sorry, no!  Maybe it's how I was born, maybe it's because I haven't always enjoyed being lumped into categories of mediocrity, ever!  But please don't tell me that in your best estimate based on some mathematical standard I will no longer be able to be creative in the sense or standard of today's definitions.  Now, I'm not saying that I should be compared to the 'greats' of photography or art, nor am I saying that I can even hold a candle to some of the not-so-greats in my field.  My argument is more about that inner flame, the personal desire to create because that's what I was born with.  I want to create; when I was a young boy I wanted to draw, constantly, when I was in school I wanted to take pictures and study art, and that's all.  Now I'm lucky enough to do what I love every day for a living.  I continue to read and study about my field and learn and desire to do more.  I see other work, I'm inspired by others and I want to continue to produce.  It seems fairly simple because I think it is just that simple.  If there is a decline in the greatness of one's creative fire it seems it's only by the definition of the viewer.  I feel less accepting of a society to define anything as great when that same society has an average attention span of a 2 year old.  Ours is a country where you can be hoisted on someone's shoulders one minute then dropped on your head the next because someone got distracted by 'the next big thing.'

I don't need to be seen as a rock star photographer, nor do I have the desire to be recognized as a genius artist.  I also don't need to be told that I have peaked or am on a decline creatively because I'm reaching 40.  I know that I have a fire inside that burns to be creative and to create in my own way.  Yeah I'll be 40 soon, cool, I'll also want to continue to create images and be inspired do what I love at 40 as well.

Aerial Shoot for Sennebogen LLC

Exciting aerial shoot for Sennebogen LLC plant, manufacturer of heavy equipment, in Stanley, NC.  Perfect time of year, beautiful colors and clear skies.  Thanks to pilot Tim Huneycutt and for Adam Whitlow's behind the scenes.  whitlowphoto.com

My small connection to Steve Jobs.

I use his tools, apps and technology in my world of photography every day.  He has made my work and workflow so much more simple and more powerful through his innovation and technological breakthroughs, yet I had no idea that the one who inspired him was so connected to the same world as mine.  Edwin H. Land, the man who created instant photography with Polaroid film and cameras.  Polaroid has been a part of consumer and commercial photography for years and has now become a cult following for many.  Thank you Mr. Land and Mr. Jobs.  NYTimes article here.

Something to remember.

When I was an assistant I worked for a photographer who had this as his license plate on his gear van.  It always stuck with me and has resonated in my mind.  Be creative, the one thing that we as photographers/artists are called to do everyday, and sometimes the one thing that can be most elusive to us.  Be creative, stay creative, maintain the creative, I am creative, I am a creative.  Mostly just words, but still that one is always there...CREATIVE!  It will be your focus, it will be a mantra, it will encompass you, and it can devour you.  I say let it...there is always a growth and a new outlook at the end of that road you're currently on...and then you turn onto another road.

First person shooter video game...one for me!

Now this is a first person shooter game for me.  From take the shot to get the shot!  Check it out.

On the newsstands tomorrow, September 19th, 2011...

See my portrait of Leilani Münter for Autoweek Magazine's Movers and Shakers column.  Leilani is an ARCA series stock car racer and environmentalist.  She shares her time racing cars and campaigning for the environment or for those that cannot help themselves.  She is currently very active with Ric O'barry in Taiji, Japan fighting against the dolphin slaughter that was made public by the documentary "The Cove."  Shot at the beautiful Latta Plantation.