I haven’t posted a making of video or a before and after in a while so here is today’s creation with the straight out of camera image posted below. This wouldn’t have been possible without the wonderful generosity of my model and fellow photographer, Velvet Lyght. She and her housemate are making some wonderful art of their own. Head over to their website and check out some great photography, comic art and game development. With the extreme harshness of this winter I have been trying to make a success of shooting inside. It was very hard not to be successful in her wonderful studio made even better by her hospitality. Well, and any one that knows about me and my models, how could I ever resist that hair!
So, how does this all help you, my fellow photogs reading this blog. For me it is proof positive that creativity thrives more in a commune than in a suburb. We need to share our knowledge and our tools. We need to feed each other creatively. Creativity is not something that we should be hiding from the light of day. Ideas are meant to be shared. I saw a book recently titled “Steal Like an Artist”. I love that title, but I would actually take another step. I say we shouldn’t have to steal like an artist because as an artist we should be giving it away.
I don’t mean you shouldn’t be using your art to make a living, but as a culture we artist folks have to stop worrying about having our ideas stolen, our concepts copied. In fact if you are a sincere artist creating from your soul, I can guarantee you that you will be copied. Move forward, take it as a compliment and know that if the person that “took” your idea is connected and emotional about the concept they will continue the conversation that you started by adding something of themselves. If they are taking it and moving it forward without heart, well there is no need to worry. There is no such thing as a successful artist that is not connected to their work.
So share, put yourself out there. Find someone at the beginning of their journey and lend a hand. Network, network, network… Let’s create a world of artists by sharing what we know and infecting others with our passion!