Tags
abandoned, arts, kristy mitchell, nature, neurosis, new jersey, outdoors, photography, pine barrens, ruins, self discover, urban exploration, urbex
Lately I have been struggling with photography. If you’ve read through more than a few of my posts you’ll see I’m kind of everywhere. Nature, urbex, architecture, portraiture… it’s because much like nurses will work in different specialties to find their passion I have had to do the same thing to figure out where I want to spend my energies. There are thousands of mediocre photographers and I just don’t *do* mediocre. Uninspired attitude begets uninspired photographs and I just don’t want to publish mediocre work.
My biggest problem has been wanting more from photographs. Yes, that’s a cool abandoned prison, that’s a pretty flower, that’s a nice landscape but I’m feeling la-di-dah about it. A unique angle, a well-lit subject, a neat camera effect is desirable but I want more of me in my work and I’m not talking self portraits.
Today I came across the work of Kristy Mitchell. I have seen lots of similar work but I was really moved by this photograph.
I remember when I was recently at some ruins in the pine barrens thinking to myself “I wish I had something to pose on those arches.”
Life growing from this beautiful form – I know now where I want to go. I have a lot to learn along the way – but Rome wasn’t built in a day. Until then I promised myself to keep taking photos of anything that suits my fancy. I will allow myself to make mistakes, to take risks, and to quit beating myself up.
Of Light & Lens 
Someone told me that when you go for an interview and they ask you what kind of art you like, you should say portraiture. That indicates you are a people person. The one who told me this went in for his interview and couldn’t lie–landscape!, he said. He got the job. I just think that it’s bringing the viewer into the landscape and letting us escape along with you. I MUCH prefer it to having a model there!
That’s an insightful story! Funny thing is my first thought wasn’t model; it was the fabric and the hair that captured me. I started fantasizing about robust topiaries in dead spaces, a floating scarf, working underwater but in above water spaces, experiments in color and light… lots and lots of things. Tweaking the subject in a way that tells my story. Does that make sense?
Anyway, thank you for the lovely feedback 😀
Well there are all kinds of blocks in life and I guess photographer’s block could be one of the. why not?? Maybe the unusual may now strike your fancy and inspire to try your hand at it for a bit and why not give it a whirl?? You may find that as you are playing you will find your way into an area you had never before even noticed = the macro stuff just steps from your eyes. Good luck. I AM SURE THAT IN TIME THIS PHASE TOO, WILL PASS!!!
that’s exactly what im feeling. I can’t wait to see where i go when I begin pushing myself! thanks for the encouragement!
I think art and environment are ever changing and we change with it. The most important thing is to be true to yourself and you sound like you are. when your art isn’t making you happy, you have to change it. Good luck with everything. And i think your photos are awesome.
thanks Ginny!
I like the shot much more as it is. There is such beauty in those old ruins..
Reblogged this on Tracey in Maine.
I like the “TwentyNine Ways to Stay Creative” graphic…and, being a list person I love how it starts with “Make Lists”!