Was Picasso a talented painter or did he just have a great set of paint brushes?

 

Recently I was inspired by the brilliant colors of fall and the still water of the lake I live on casting a wonderful reflection. As any artist who finds inspiration would do, I stopped and captured a few images that I hoped, when finished with my artistic talents, would convey the spirit and emotion of the beauty I had seen.

Once I finished my creation, I couldn’t wait to share it among my small group of friends on Facebook. I usually enjoy feedback regarding my work if it connects with someone. However, one of my close friends who has a previously stated dislike of Photoshop, decided to post a comment of “Nice Photoshop”. I felt his comment implied that because the image had been processed by my chosen software of Photoshop, the resulting product was not my artistic creation, but a product of Photoshop.

Now in this person’s defense, he is not an artist or photographer and does not understand how or why photographers have to process digital raw files in their computer software programs before they end up being the final JPG files that most people are accustomed to viewing.

However, his dismissal of my artistic expression in favor of a particular tool I use to create it, struck a nerve for me. This caused me to ponder the question in the title. Was Picasso really talented or was it the brush he used to paint with?

Any sculptor, painter, writer, recording artist or movie maker, is generally freely given the distinction of an “artist”, however, a photographer is generally defined by the tools he uses to create with rather than his creation.

In the example of my Facebook friends post, it was the fact I created it in Photoshop that seemed to suck away any contribution I made to the image. So I wonder, would a sculptor be complimented on the chisel he used instead of his final result. What was responsible for the famous words of Robert Frost, the typewriter he used or Mr. Frost himself? And why is a painter hailed for his use of color, oil or acrylic and yet a photographer’s talent is attributed to a software program or the type of camera he owns.

I have been told so many times, if I had a good camera I could create that same type of image. My response is go buy yourself the best camera money can buy and knock yourself out.

The power of Re-invention.

The wonderful thing about the human beings ability to reinvent itself is that we can take lessons learned from past experiences and create something wonderful from them.

 

I am always amazed and observing people who are able to honestly reflect and take thoughtful inventory of the path traveled and find new ways of rebuilding.

 

A helpful exercise for me as a photographer is to return to images captured many years ago and re-process them with new knowledge and experiences gained since the original capture. It helps me reinvent my vision, and how I see myself and my work.

An Introduction

Announcing the New Photography Gift Registry!

We love to keep up with the trends in the wedding world! Nontraditional wedding registries are becoming more and more popular with the modern bride, and we're jumping on board. Today, brides and grooms are having wedding guest help pay for more than just china and towels- now registries may include honeymoons and gift cards. We want to offer couples the opportunity to use our registry to help purchase the photography package they truly want- a gift that will last a lifetime.

How it works for the couple:
Creating a registry with us allows friends and family to help you purchase the photography package you truly want. Your guest contributions go toward reducing your total balance.

How it works for guest:
Want to give the happy couple a gift they will always cherish? Simply visit the registry below and select an amount to contribute to the bride and groom. We will send you a gift certificate that you can deliver personally to the bride and groom or simply let us surprise the couple when we provide them with a total list of guest gifts.

 

Introducing New Portrait Session Products.

Success Path Portraits are based on the Life Path Portrait platform. The key difference is that they revolve totally around your career. These career portraits are focused on professionally capturing you in a way not commonly captured. My passion is to dramatically capture you and your career.
Your career is a major part of your life. No matter what type of work you do, your family will always remember what you did and who your were. Why not capture that? These dramatic light sculpted Success Path Portraits are great at capturing you and your livelihood.

The Difference

The Success Path Portrait has two incredible ways that distinguish them from a normal or typical portrait session. The key difference is that Success Path Portraits are themed. This means that your portraits are more than a portrait, they are a story. A story of who you are, a story of your living. This portrait system from start to finish is about creating the story you want to tell, show.

 

Creative Photography starts with connecting!!!

I learned from a very young age that when people want to tell stories of their journey on earth, they look for photographs. This taught me a lot about the power of photographs. These paper thin images have the ability to help someone remember, or recall a feeling or take someone back in time to a far away special place.

I have come to learn that photography is about connecting with people, places and things. This is what fascinates me about photography. I am committed to taking intentional steps to build deeper connections. Building strong connections means that your must also earn your subjects trust. They must believe and feel that you value them and don't take them for granted. Although this is a journey for me continue, I feel very lucky to have had two friends in my studio this past weekend that demonstrated that creative images come from connecting.

Thank you Alexander Baker and Craig Terry for your time in the studio this weekend.

Congratulations to the owners of two Eric Stokley Originals.

I am very proud that both of my art pieces offered for auction tonight to raise money for the MS HeARTS Organization sold and now have found permanent homes.

Growing Wild Near Golden Gate Bridge

This was a rare beauty finding this plant growing among wild weeds near the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. I am not sure how it found its way but it spoke to me. Sometimes, we still have to find a way to bloom even among the weeds.