I find photographing children especially exciting. The ability to anticipate their actions is somewhat none existent. That element of surprise and wonder transcends through the lens as though they had given you something tangible. As intriguing as we find discovery so do they, when I was photographing my nephew at 4 months he could not resist but go for the lens. as much as I hate to constantly clean my lens I knew that he was not intimidated. The opportunity is now at the forefront, to be an observer as they develop their personality on this magic carpet ride. Like watching a flower bloom we can’t help but be lost somewhere within the transition. An SLR the artillery, affirmative action is now the key.

Now at almost 6 months my nephew is more complacent when a camera is shoved in his face so to speak. The new intrigue is now the sound the shutter makes every time it closes. When photographing children a good focal length is always a good idea. Especially when they are of a young age a professional SLR does have a lot of presence. I find a 28mm-80mm or even up to around 105mm keep you at distance but still close enough for some full frame shots. After doing a shoot with kids there is no greater satisfaction than knowing your subject matter is the essence of purity.

In the modern world it would seem our daredevil crusades have scared off the wrath of fundamental simplicity. There is a special kind of fear associated with simplicity as Its usually phrased in a negative light. The reluctance to assume such cultures may place us at risk of become a simpleton and for some that seems too much for the ego to bare.

The other day I witnessed something quiet fascinating at the bus stop. An older man dressed in the local football team attire approached a young man sitting on the bench. He stopped about 2 meters away from him and bounced a tennis ball towards him. The young man caught the ball and proceeded to bounce the ball back. Not long after the young man stood up and began to play a game of hand ball with this stranger. The two indulged each other for several minutes until the bus arrived and they went their separate ways. Needless to say they had both left with a smile on their faces. What occurred here was something quite amazing, how a simple concept that many would deem primitive or dated still had the ability to create a sense of fulfilment.

As our society becomes more complex the role of simplicity is slowly phasing out although it itself is something quite unique. Unfortunately we don’t value the ideals of simplicity in more recent times and therefore we don’t claim it exists. The willingness to accept complexities we have thrown at us has diverted our attention from the fundamentals. Retaining existence through tradition is a by-product of our reluctance to change. There is no doubt that busy people to an extent enjoy complexities because it makes their role seem important. Despite the fact that there is a certain amount of dilution it provides in doing so.

Photographer Chris Orwig is a great ambassador of reducing and simplifying. Through this process he has produced real captivating images that invite the viewer in and convey very strong messages. simplicity should be admired and appreciated as it has the ability to portray subjects in a raw context. Free of distraction and it can easily be comprehended by the viewer. As we dare ourselves to evolve we should also dare ourselves to be open minded.

“What a novelist says in 20,000 words, the poet says in 20. And after reading a poem we don’t just have information, we have more experience. A good poem isn’t about reductionism. It is about reducing, simplifying, and deepening. A poem always gives more”

Extract from Visual Poetry by Chris Orwig.

The ideals of perfection have never offered me much solace. To look at the definition of perfection here would be demeaning and patronising to say the least. The concept of reaching such a divine plateau almost seems irrational. Perfection is only a mere reflection of what we perceive as being faultless. As we have seen with the measures of success some find it difficult to distinguish one man’s success from another. Although we don’t seem to be having that problem with the measure of perfection and why is that so?

The impacts of this quest and what it imposes creates tension within ones self. It has the ability to conjure up mental uncertainty by deluding those finding it hard to categorise it as a need or a want. Magazine covers present themselves as the standard in which judgment and evaluation are based on. Irrespective of the fact that the cover is a falsified manipulation, the elements that we have come to know as perfection are still present.

It is no doubt subjective in respects to how we implement such a device in our day to day lives. In one hand we allow it to pressure us and in the other it encourages us to improve. For the most part it depicts itself as the fire that usually causes you to get burnt.

Is being a perfectionist a proud title to hold? Do we try to do things perfectly for perfections sake? What do we do with the imperfections in people that we love when seeking perfection? When we try to make someone smile we don’t look for perfect symmetry rather we look to see if we indeed made them smile. We overlook the imperfections of that smile because to us it is true perfection.

As humans, we have all experienced the feeling that we are being followed or watched. This initiates the impulse to turn our necks to investigate the alleged presents of danger. What is demonstrated here is that our thought processes can be a subconscious means of interaction with the world as well as an apparent one. The link between thought and intent is an interesting facet. The intrigue lies in the convention that our thoughts may very well affect our intent which can lead to an less than desirable result.

Thought is riddled with innate faults that can impair our judgment when developing concepts and ideas. They may include placebo effects, reactance and herd mentality but the most treacherous of them all is escalation of commitment. This is the tendency for people to continue to support previously unsuccessful endeavours. The reluctance to abandonee particular ideas or concepts is usually contingent upon that individual’s pride and motivation. However, what must be considered is the result of the continued pursuit into this no longer viable idea. Reaching such a conclusion is a difficult choice to make considering you have nurtured it since conception. It is no surprise that many people develop a form of separation anxiety when they have decided to cut their losses. The factors that mentally lead an individual down this path are endless. So it is at this juncture the implementation of an alternate perspective may provide some form of clarity. This brings me back to the link between thought and intent, what are your thoughts and what is your intent. Be clear and present it in a perspective that best models your desired outcome.

Take language for instants, the emphasis placed on the methodology and the structured importance of it outweighs its purpose and that is to communicate. This is where post production work can become heavily problematic. The hours invested into retouching doesn’t necessarily improve the image rather it should be used as a device to complement the subject you have captured.

Having the resources and technology is only half the battle, what needs to be looked at is the human interaction with the images but more importantly how it communicates. Imagery is a universal language we can all speak and experience, what you say is just as important as how you say it.

The blood results have come in and now it is confirmed, the well of inspiration has run dry. In all forms of art and even in our day to day lives for most this is a common occurrence. When I say dry I mean bone dry, not even the usual draw cards are effective.

Let’s go outside the box, further out than the usual and look at the workflow and intent of previous work. In particular the images that moved you but more importantly conveyed the intended messaged to the viewer. At times we don’t have to search far outside ourselves to indulge in the vast fields of inspiration. Relive the journey of past work and how it had that ability to transcend your intent. Most often than not that’s what it’s about right. Not so much the literal journey of how you got from A to B but the deeper underlying journey. The one that began way back when the shutter was finally closed capturing the experience. Unravelling the hidden truths in our own work could very well be the misadventure you’ve been missing out on.

The walls that surround our creativity and imagination are typically a product of our own conception. Even if we look at it generally, expectation is the barrier we find hardest to overcome. Attempting to outshine previous work casts a shadow on your thoughts. Fear of not surpassing this standard created can be collateral that helps bond these walls of entrapment. Limitation has no place here and so these obstructions must be brought down.

I object to the convention that there is a sure fire way to get you creative juices flowing. It is completely subjective and tailored for each individual. Though it is a time to alter the perspective in which we view subject matter. Observe the environment around us and allow yourself to be moved. Overly theoretical approaches can obscure the intent and vision while at times suppressing our judgment. Don’t look for the perfect shot rather expose its imperfections perfectly.

Film photography is well and truly on death row. It took a little time to convince the veterans to make the switch but I’m sure now they are glad they did. It has opened a world of opportunity in the enhancements and control we can achieve. The conversion to digital for me was more personal as I felt as though I maybe betraying my companion. Shooting with film is a unique experience in the sense that understanding transcends technology. The endeavour of perfection and creation takes place digitally in more recent times, away from the location of inspiration. That kind of work flow takes from the image, being in the field and enabling yourself to be moved will encourage your photos to bloom. That’s the effect film and conventional methods of photography desire from there users.

Since the introduction of digital the intrigue into photography is vastly growing. Cameras just seem to be everywhere and with cameras becoming more automated and affordable anyone can take a relatively good photo.

Digital has brought an abundance of creative control to photographers but has it caused us to be lax. I still shoot with film on the occasion, the whole experience is nostalgic and at times a little condescending. Just like meeting up with an old friend it establishes a grass roots connection that is left thinly vailed. Its validation of film is no longer a dispute as demand always trumps.

Being creative sounds like a great responsibility to have nowadays. Why would anyone want to be creative? There is a great aura of negativity associated with being creative that is often over looked. Most often than not, these people are depicted as being mentally unstable. I’m sure self exploration and even adolescence has produced similar by-products so why are we so convinced? What must be understood is that we are all born with imagination and creativity, all that’s diminished is our ability to harness it over time.

The creative thought process can be daunting and become an emotional roller coaster to say the least. Much like a relationship between two people a similar bond develops between a person any there chosen artistry although it’s looked upon differently. It’s one of the emotional risks associated with being creative. It does assume human elements and that’s the parts that make it relatable. Just like reading a book that reflects aspects of you own life, that human element has now drawn you into the story. All of a sudden the book becomes captivating and tantalising, the end couldn’t be further away as you await you own destiny so to speak.

Creative anxiety can be a dark place for many artists. The ideas no longer flow and the inability to continue consumes them. in retrospect being mentally unstable is sounding more like a prerequisite.

So is it now safe to say there is a link between creativity and suffering? Sure but there is also fear, love, loss and sometimes tragedy. There is a smorgasbord of emotions that make the link but it’s not because the person in unstable it’s because you make the link with it also.

As a photographer I consider myself to be very privileged. As I have the opportunity to present the world to itself in a single frame. The only story you hear is the one I tell and the perspective in which you view it I have also predetermined. It sounds like a whole lot of power for one person right! I guess this sound more like a quest for world domination but what I’m trying to demonstrate is that it is a visual medium that is more influential and emotionally sensual that first perceived.

It seems as though we are in the midst of a shift in the creative paradigm of photography. Digital Technology has no doubt been a monumental milestone in the cameras development but where is it leading us. With digital becoming the norm are we loosing the romance with photography? The love affair seems to be with the technology rather than the imagery and so the war of megapixels goes on.

Is this a result of us conforming to modern society? I say to an extent yes. The dependence on Photoshop throughout the fleet of aspiring photographers is over whelming. Is photography becoming commercial? Are we letting this creative medium become a vocation rather than an artistic expression?

I’m aware I’ve asked a lot of questions and given no real answer or direction to any of them. This is no rash attempt at scaremongering or some kind of controversial lash by any means. It’s an expression of concern that creativity is dying not just in photography but in other art forms aswell. We as members of society are becoming clinical in our creation and critical in our perspective. Remember the camera wasn’t made by one person in one day, it was made by many people that built on the idea over many decades.