RQ Trietsch 02 Mar 2011

Nice thoughts, I guess that would suit Ansel Adams just fine. Myself like a lot of people wait for the ideal day, light or conditions etc.

Not to mention the thought of your suggestion/studies would definitely help you become a better photographer...never gave it much thought until now.

Justin Shrum 02 Mar 2011

yeah i do to wait for like a perfect ligthing and all that good stuff. but it just seems to me it limits us of what we can really do, though for me trying to take a good photograph everday is a very hard thing to stick to.

Janelle Losoff 07 Mar 2011

I agree. Great artists become great by practicing their art daily. The problem is that many of us don't have the time to dedicate to our art. Many of us go through "dry spells" when we lack inspiration or energy. Some of us get "bummed out" because the knowledge we need to take a the best shot seems beyond reach. We might not have the tools we want. Our experiments seem to fail and we don't want to spend the money or take the risks we need to move out of our failing comfort zones. Like it or not, fragile egos fail. Rejection of our art (and sometimes of ourselves) is just part of the dues in becoming an artist, at least in the beginning -- but never fear.

In spite of challenges, we can still succeed in our art. The first skill of a photographer/artist is visual awareness. We must SEE, feel and understand the impact of light, shape and color. We also have to want to communicate that to other and be willing to carry our cameras or tools with us wherever we go. We have to be willing to experiment. We also need to know what we want to communicate and who our audience is.

Art is a process or journey. We do not create masterpieces every day. That is impossible. What we can do is continue the process of our art by make the effort to become awake and aware every day. Each day we can choose to be open to light, shapes, textures and patterns. We can later learn to communicate our ideas with refinement to our audiences through experimentation with new techniques.

As we do this, we also need thick skins. When trying to communicate, we need to cope with the negative feedback we will get from others who we did not reach with our art. It is up to us to decide if we will try to reach them again or not. One thing is certain. Those who stop trying fail.

I choose not to fail and hope you do too.

Janelle Losoff www.ArtWanted.com/JanelleLosoff

http://www.artwanted.com/artist.cfm?ArtID=60885&Tab=Bio

PS: I am a publish writer, but it didn't come easily. I've read or written something every day of my life since I was a child. Not everything I have written and read was worthy of notice, but every word was a step on the way of mastering my art.

I hope this small sample of my "art of words" has given you something of value today.

JL

Are you a photographer? Do you want to practice your art in a safe and cooperative group? Ask me about my new photography group here. www.ArtWanted.com/AdvancedPhoto

Shells LaVallee 10 Mar 2011

The camera is an extension of my hand and therefore, constantly shooting. Returning home, I upload the photos, photoshop the best ones, and file them in a folder marked AW for art wanted. I find the experience thrilling. (I meet so many wonderful people along the way-many photographers like myself). Class work is a separate genera. Just the word work, takes the fun and spontaneity out of the equation. (That's just me.. & I am a student). Photography is a passion, and writing too - love the combination. The photo awakens emotions and I put words to paper & write.. Each student has their own process, but practice brings light to the depth of each individual. How to be a better photographer - I agree, practice, but always have fun with it!

Justin Shrum 14 Mar 2011

Trying to take a photograph everyday is very hard for me though i am trying. I mean i guess i could take a picture of my garden but i get very sick of seeing photos of flowers and sunsets, clouds etc.. I mean i think their more to photography than just those three things. I mean if your whole profolilo is flowers you might want to think about something no offense to anyone out there if this what their photo collection contains. I guess thats why i refuse to take photos of flowers but i am very jaded when it comes to that subject. Don't get me wrong i once in a great while ill see a great photograph of a flower or something along those lines.

RQ Trietsch 14 Mar 2011

Something I dabble in Justin. Take shots of shadows then manipulate them in a photo shop type program. Add colors, invert the shot etc. It can be fun for awhile. You can always take a drive/ride out of the immediate area and look at different architecture, trees, etc. If you have a decent telephoto, clouds are fun to play with also.

Justin Shrum 14 Mar 2011

yes some clouds shots can be fun, i have a few of my own.

Minnie Lippiatt 17 Mar 2011

Janelle I went to your group site. We have to write to you an ask for an invitation to join? I am serious about my photography as I am with my art. But I don't understand why we as members of Artwanted have to ask your permision to join a group. What is the purpose of this request? When a person joins a group they want to be involved in the subject of the group. So I'm just raising the question.

Kathy Hermsen 23 May 2011

Minnie- if you form a group, let me know. I don't know if I would have much to contribute but would enjoy participating in an active group.

sylvia jones 20 Jul 2011

I love Photography as well. I always have my camera in my car just in case. There are times I'm out and had no intentions on photographing anything that day but will see something as I'm leaving the grocery store or on the way to work. Good luck :)

Robert Davis 25 Mar 2012

A photo every day? I'm pretty sure that sentiment came from a non-artist. A paddywon maybe. Most artist are born with talent and the skill sets are refined by trying to create something great every time. Simply making a bowl, or taking a picture for the sake of taking just doing, is wasteful and a sure way to defeatism, not to mention expensive. People seem to disregard the fact that all shutters have a finite life span. If you want to learn, simply carry a blank slide and frame things. That will make you a better photographer with out the expense.

Justin Shrum 05 Jun 2012

No this sentiment did come from artist,

Nathaniel Rivera 24 Jul 2012

I always challenge myself to capture a photo any time I pick up my camera, which is basically daily. I do believe it has nothing to do with a situation's settings, so you shouldn't wait for a "perfect" day or for the "right" lighting.. If you are going for art, then you must find the shot in any situation regardless of the setting. There is always a way to portray a moment in a visually appealing way. That's just what I think at least.

Take for instance my random shot I took of a bird mid flight, then I edited it and now I like it.

Diane Duran 01 Nov 2012

You never know when poop happens! I agree that if you feel the move... move with it! I just wish I had more photography skills. My basic skills are to capture what I feel at the moment to paint it.

annie steele 22 Nov 2012

Taking pctures is a need inside... to capture that moment. I am learning how to do it better every time I pick up my camera. Lots of them when I get home get deleted but more of them I keep now than a year ago and even more than two years ago. When I look back over my hard drive that I dedicated to my pictures. I see month by month how I have changed and am still changing. I can delete now faster than I use to. I don't try to fix them. boy do I have a long way to go but not as far as I did. I will be getting new camera soon so decisions have to be made, what will help me get the picture I need to get!

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