Art;/ aart/ 1. Creation of beautiful Things the creation of beautiful or thought provoking works 2. Skill and Technique involved in producing visual representations. 3. the skill or ability to do something well
What is art??? Do you need to know about art is to appreciate it or to like it? Most people know what they like, even if they don't know why.
As a photographer I have been doing a lot of soul searching lately, about my art, and wondering if I am being true to myself with my photography. When looking at some of my earlier works, I noticed that my style has changed quite significantly. This worried me for a while as I wondered if I've been over influenced by other photographers and trends. Photography to me has always been about capturing moments, telling a story and feeling people's emotions. I started to wonder if I had not only been greatly influenced by others, but if I had gotten too caught up in the technical side of things, if the skill of photography had become more important than the essence of the feeling.
As an art student , there was an Australian artist who use to irritate me, I didn't really know why, but I did not like Ken Done, which I'm sure everyone knows who he is. It wasn't so much that I didn't like his work, I found it stale, often the same. The funny thing is I quite like his works that he has done more recently. I realise that whilst it still has his flavour and is obvious to the eye that it is his work, he has evolved as an artist, learnt new skills and seen things differently.
Since I first picked up a camera, I have grown as a person, I am always learning new skills and techniques and meeting new and amazing people.
My bookshelves are lined with some of the most beautiful photography books that you could imagine, and we are so fortunate to have access to this powerful tool the internet, that I have discovered many other photographers and artists that truly amaze and inspire me. I have also been lucky enough to work alongside some brilliant photographers and blessed to be friends with some of the most amazing photographers around.
From the Great classic photographers George Hurrell and Athol Smith to modern day wedding photographers, like Joe Bussink, Amy Deputy and Ben Chrisman, the photojournalists Kevin Carter and Michael Coyne and the amazing photographers and artists that I now call my friends, how can one not be influenced and inspired by others.
So I realise that yes my work is different now than it was two years ago or seven years ago, but I too have grown and evolved as an artist, I have experienced more of life and seen new things, learnt new skills, been inspired by some amazing people and had the opportunity to photograph some beautiful people. Which brings me to my car.... Not my yellow lancer but the car on my business card.
An image from the very first wedding I shot, a beautiful old Jag and a personal symbol that represents where I've come from as well as the driving force towards where I am heading....
Moments happen and moments can be created, photography to me is still about the story and capturing the emotion as well as helping to create the moments and the photography experience so that you will be able to cherish the memories and symbols of your own life through my art, my skills and the way I see the world.
So until next time... So long and thanks for all the fish...
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