Monday, April 30, 2012

beauty in simplicity


Here in the last several months, and especially here in the last few weeks, I have really been thinking a lot about who I am as a photographer.  What is my style?  What is it that I want to do with my craft?  Where do I want to be in five years, or even five months?  What am I struggling with and how can I overcome it?  In a market overflowing with photographers, and especially living in a small town full of talented ones, how does one not bleed into the crowd?  Staying true to yourself and your own vision.  I recall Tim Walker mentioning somewhere that one of the best pieces of advice he received while working as an assistant for Richard Avedon was "to shoot what you love."  And that's exactly what I want to do.  I want to go out and seek the beauty in the simple things.  Write beautiful lyrics with light! Meet new people and make wonderful music together!  Easier said than done sometimes, especially when you're also trying to find ways to earn a living with your craft.  But that being said, I've come to realize that making photographs that I love will work to my benefit because it will clearly show people who and what I am as a photographer.  



My copy of Elizabeth Messina's new book, The Luminous Portrait, finally arrived a few days ago.  I love her style and the fact that she considers herself a "natural-light photographer".  The way she approaches her subjects and her craft are similar to my own. Seek out the best light and capture beauty in authenticity, even if it's a stylized shoot.  After reading it this weekend, I felt rejuvenated and empowered, anxious to get back out with my camera and make some beautiful imagery.  My goal is to come up with ideas for conceptual photo shoots and putting together the plans to make them happen.  I think after having put together our mock vintage wedding, this should be a piece of cake!

Before I let you go (and thank you for reading my ramblings this morning by the way) I want to direct you to my good friend Zila Longenecker's new blog, Thistle & Fern.  Zee's work always whispers beauty and simplicity.  I hope to feature Zee and her new blog here soon, but until then walk on over to her serene and beautiful space.  Until next time friends!


6 comments:

  1. "Write beautiful lyrics with light!"
    Oh Kat, that line says it all and more than beautifully. Your visual poesy touches a heart ever so softly.
    And Tim Walker's "shoot what you love"... there cannot be any better or simpler advice for us picture-takers. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are more than welcome my
      dear friend! If anyone speaks
      poetry it's YOU!

      Delete
  2. Oh my friend, thanks for talking about the blog. Well, as you see I always neglect the blogland for a few days. Today I just had to make time to show the bags I made on the blog...it's been 7 days since last post. arrrrgh, how can that be possible? I hate that I have so many things to do and it seems that I can't finish anything i start. this must stop.
    talking about being a photographer in a small town...in my case it seems that people that i talk to about it don't give much importance. some of them even say stuff like..."oh, but there is XX and XXX photographer. do u know them? they are wonderful and they are in business forever." it's almost like they are super loyal to the locals, to whoever started first and they seem to avoid newbies. the reactions i get from people in this city can make me mad. but i truly enjoy other types of photos. nature is my favorite followed by still life and macro. i should photograph food, but i am not into making food...i should try right?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Zee, I totally understand your
      dilemma with being in a small
      town. But lady, you should be
      so PROUD of the fact you've
      actually been published! Not
      many people can say that, and
      not in just some rinky dink
      mags either! Your talents are
      endless! Those folks there just
      have NO idea what they're missing!

      Delete
  3. I love this! I just got Elizabeth's book this week and am loving it! :) I can't wait to see the shoots you come up with!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Laura! I ate up Elizabeth's
      book! If only I was able to get my
      hands on a Contax 645! I swear, WHEN
      I do, I think I'd pass out! Ha ha!
      Thank you for stopping by. :)

      Delete

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