Thank you, Don, for sharing your story and your passion with the rest of us. Over the years, I've been inspired by you, your stories, your teachings and watching your students thrive.
I'm in the can't not take photos category. I've had a camera for 50 years in some form or another. It's part of who I am.
Among other reasons, I shoot photographs to get up in the morning, to feel, to sync, to say, to anchor the day. I happily get into subject area ruts, have gaps, keeping most of my work mostly to myself has been my focus, too sensitive to criticism esp., when younger. Now after 8 - 10 yrs of daily personal shoots and some professional, I’m ok with challenges & critique. In the past I had to be in a special mood to make it special. That’s ok, but a shaky foundation. Now I find it’s one thing I can get better at the harder I work at it.
Critiques are always good... IF the critics have the ability and credibility to do it. Many people who want to tell you what to do have never earned the right to tell anyone what to do. This is a disservice to both you - and them.
A critic must know what you were trying to achieve before they examine the work. And that is incumbent on them knowing what that even means within the context of your work.
I am right with you on the being alive part... and making art reminds me that I am indeed alive, creating, and moving forward.
Keep working, learning, working more, and the success will be there - even in small measures at a time.
I made photographs just for myself for decades. Can’t even imagine to have done all that you did. Perhaps I made all those photographs because I thought one day I could make it.
I must say I have come to this conclusion after two years of wondering what I was doing wrong. I feel it’s not that I’m doing something wrong, just not doing it for the right reason.
Thank you, Don, for sharing your story and your passion with the rest of us. Over the years, I've been inspired by you, your stories, your teachings and watching your students thrive.
I'm in the can't not take photos category. I've had a camera for 50 years in some form or another. It's part of who I am.
Lauri.
Right back at you.
You were the first one I followed in Medium, I believe.
Your passion for the art is contagious.
Thank you.
Thank you, that means a lot coming from you.
You're shot of the Rio Grande Gorge is exquisite! I love that place.
Thank you.
Me too.
*your* oof.
Among other reasons, I shoot photographs to get up in the morning, to feel, to sync, to say, to anchor the day. I happily get into subject area ruts, have gaps, keeping most of my work mostly to myself has been my focus, too sensitive to criticism esp., when younger. Now after 8 - 10 yrs of daily personal shoots and some professional, I’m ok with challenges & critique. In the past I had to be in a special mood to make it special. That’s ok, but a shaky foundation. Now I find it’s one thing I can get better at the harder I work at it.
Critiques are always good... IF the critics have the ability and credibility to do it. Many people who want to tell you what to do have never earned the right to tell anyone what to do. This is a disservice to both you - and them.
A critic must know what you were trying to achieve before they examine the work. And that is incumbent on them knowing what that even means within the context of your work.
I am right with you on the being alive part... and making art reminds me that I am indeed alive, creating, and moving forward.
Keep working, learning, working more, and the success will be there - even in small measures at a time.
Thanks for the note, Elizabeth.
I made photographs just for myself for decades. Can’t even imagine to have done all that you did. Perhaps I made all those photographs because I thought one day I could make it.
I must say I have come to this conclusion after two years of wondering what I was doing wrong. I feel it’s not that I’m doing something wrong, just not doing it for the right reason.