Coloring outside the lines takes courage.
I’ve enjoyed writing poss for this category for some time, the first one going back three years. As my fellow photographers that follow my blog know, I don’t limit these quotes to just photographers. Artists of all types and genres are my sources, and as long as their quotes make an impact (as it relates to teaching) on me, then I want to share it with everyone.
My background is in painting and design, so part of my education was spent in Art History; specifically in the study of painting. Among my favorites was the French painter Henri Matisse. Not only known for his use of color, but he was also a printmaker and sculptor. Matisse once said, “Creativity takes courage”.
I have often talked to photographers that take my online class with the BPSOP, and my “Stretching Your Frame of Mind” workshops I conduct around our planet about stepping out from the coattails of photography past and present, and of those that would lead you down the path to mediocrity; and photographic purgatory.
I’m talking about those that follow (with the strictest regularity) rules meant to hinder any chance to being creative; they are the shackles of any original artistry. Creative in the sense of following your own path instead of those others have blazed a million years before..at least during the onset of camera clubs…and now the ruts are are beginning to be too deep to climb out of.
Coloring outsides the lines instead of listening to bad advise offered by those that are too afraid to do so themselves takes courage. We have become a nation of sheep, and find it easier to go with the flow than follow the beat of a different drummer.
For the most part, I’ve found that photographers want/need to be safe in their approach to creativity and strive for that first, second, or third place ribbon awarded to those that follow the rules laid out in their respective clubs; or perhaps a big smile and gentle pat on the back from friends or family members…that love you unconditionally.
Without the revolution started by these influential impressionist painters: Pisarro, Monet, Degas, Renoir, and Bazille, art may have never been so radically changed; they challenged the art world and although scorned at first finally won. As photographers we should consider ourselves as painters who have chosen a camera as our medium; our cameras on a tripod is the same as a blank canvas on an easel.
Break all those silly rules that I’m sure all of you at one time or another have either read about or someone has been whispering in your ear; for the most part it’s really bad advice. If your photos are constantly being degraded from fellow photo club members because they don’t follow their rules…start your own club and enlist only those that dare to be courageous.
FYI, I know of people that have done just that.
Visit my website at: www.joebaraban.com and check out my 2016-17 workshop at the top of this blog. Come shoot with me sometime and we’ll be creative together.
Don’t forget to send me a photo and question to; AskjoeB@gmail.com and I’ll create a video critique for you.
JoeB
Nice article! I love how your pics on your website are framed like polaroids Joe. Would love to hand you a polaroid camera and say, now show me no photoshop!
Thanks Gary.
As a matter of fact, I use to always have an SX-70 Polaroid with me all the time!!! I even put it on a tripod for low light portraits.
I’m not sure I understand about my photos being framed. Where do you see that? Any particular image?
JoeB
Gary,
It’s a function of Wordpress, and I have no control over it. I guess it’s because they leave you a space at the bottom for a caption. That said, I don’t mind it…it does remind me of a Polaroid.
JoeB
Hey Joe your picture at the top of this column of the man walking out the door has a grayish border around it. It reminds me of a polaroid picture and even the bottom of the border is bigger than the other sides with your quote, coloring outside the lines takes courage. Like how people used to write at the bottom of a polaroid. A lot of your pics on the site have that border. Thought it was artistic choice you went with to show your work.