Jack Graham Photography
Learn to See Learn to think Learn to create
One on One, Individual Workshop information
Jack Graham E-Book Series 1 & 2 now available for purchase and instant download:
Noteworthy
I have published my 2013 Workshop schedule and many workshops are already filling up. Please remember that I offer some discounts. Notably I offer a 10% discount on all domestic workshops (not including the two I conduct for the Pacific Northwest Art School in June ( Whidbey Island, Washington, and the Columbia River Gorge )
CUBA FEBRUARY 2013 ….. Please consider joining me on this amazing trip to Cuba. Just 90 miles away from the United States is this small astonishing island in the Caribbean. Visiting Cuba with us offers you a rare opportunity to engage with the Cuban people, and explore this amazing country before it changes forever with your camera.
We will be traveling under the auspices of Cuba Cultural Travel, an organization that has specialized in travel to Cuba since 1998. Recently, the Obama administration passed an executive order making it easier for Americans to visit Cuba. The federal government has issued licenses to a select number of tour companies to operate what are known as “People to People” trips, and Cuba Cultural Travel is one of them. Our journey will take us to Havana, the capital of the country and its commercial and cultural center since colonial times. You will experience the wonderful rustic charm of a city that has remained largely unchanged for over 50 years. We will also travel toViñales Valley, considered by many to be the most beautiful place in Cuba, the Viñales Valley National Monument holds stunning landscapes and jaw dropping vistas. The area is also famous for being the premier tobacco growing area in the world. This is a photographer’s paradise!
Please contact Cuba Cultural Travel to register. We are only talking 10-12 attendees and have a few spots left.
NEED A GIFT FOR SOMEONE ( or yourself) ?
NIK SOFTWARE: Need a Xmas gift? Why not order NIK SOFTWARE and save 15%. Use CODE= JGRAHAM when ordering.
Also consider the PHOTOGRAPH AMERICA., For lots of great information on where, when and more when it comes to photographing over 120 locations in the USA.
___________________________________________________________________________
FEATURED ARTICLE
Focus on the Unconventional
© Jack Graham
In today’s world, we are constantly bombarded with headlines and news that is filled with negativity or just plain old doom and gloom. And worse, it all happens so quickly in this fast-paced, internet, smart phone, iThis and iThat world. Volumes of information are sent our way from all kinds of sources. Blogs, websites, social media, advertisers came at us from all ends. It’s an “I need it now” world, and like it or not, most of us fall victim to these anomalies, often not knowing it.
Recently I have been writing as well as stressing in my photography workshops, that we must slow down, and “be into the zone” in order to attain the right state of mind that will give us the chance to create artistic images when we are out in the field.
Today, we have at our fingertips the most advanced equipment that our pocketbooks will allow us to purchase. We can process image with unthought-of technology non-existent, just a few years ago. This is useless unless we embody the creative process
With all of this technology surrounding us, many photographers ignore the need for creativity and imagination and rely on the technology to produce the end product. This is what I call the “I can fix it in Photoshop” mentality. This is a prescription for failure. Unless we use the right side, or cognitive side of our brains, our creativity will be forever stymied. How do we do that? Read on.
We the photographers put our mark on every image we present, not just the good ones, but every one. Think about that next time you post an image or send one out in an email. Better yet, think about that before initiation the shutter.
“We all do ‘do, re, mi,’ but you have got to find the other notes yourself. “…….Louis Armstrong
In my past widely published article on preparation, I talked about how I go about preparing for a day in the field, be it on my own or during a workshop. Let’s take this to the next level, and discuss some unconventional ways of focusing your mind and moving into the right zone.
- Before heading out for the days photographic activity, make sure you have set aside plenty of time, after dressing, packing the truck etc to have something to eat. Then relax, listen to some music (not the news!), have some quiet time, and self examine your mood, and open up your creative window for the day.
- Take as long as it takes. Sometimes sitting in silence can be the trick. Leopold Stokowski, a famous conductor once said “A painter paints his pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence. We provide the music, and you provide the silence.
“I’m always thinking about creating. My future starts when I wake up every morning… Every day I find something creative to do with my life”. ……Miles Davis
- It’s been written that we must visualize the image before even heading out for the day. However, lets backup. Try to consider how you think your entire day might go, not just the first location of first image(s). Consider where you are going and the potential of what the entire day “might be”. With this in mind, an average sunrise might not spoil the balance of the morning allowing your creative spirits to be undiminished. Now let’s go even a step one-step further.
Think of how you’ll feel when you get home with a memory card with some really good images on it. Feel how lucky you are to be able to be out in the beauty you will soon enter and be thankful. We are lucky people you know!
- Upon arriving at your location try putting yourself into the geography and environment. Again either sit quietly or walk around slowly, observing, preferable without a camera for a few minutes. It often amazes me when folks arrive at a location in the dark and start fumbling with their cameras. Time is better spent getting your head into the zone. Understand that you are now are in total control of everything. This includes your equipment and emotions. Take things slow. As the light becomes a viable component don’t rush to make photographs. Carefully evaluate the light and how you can best use it.
“I’ve always wanted to own and control the primary technology in everything we do”. ……..Steve Jobs
- The image(s) you are about to make are a mirror of you, the photographer. Realize this. Become part of the scene, put yourself into the fog, if there is fog, or put yourself at the top of the mountain, if a mountain is in front of you. Become the subject. Ask yourself how would you like to be photographed?
Sometimes it’s best to trust your first instinct. Use your energy and emotion to form the image. Allow your creativity to flow.
Experiment; don’t be afraid to take some risks. They just may turn out!
> Warming down. The best light is over, you captured the image to the best of your ability, what now. It’s time to wind down. Athletes, musicians all warm up as well as warm down. I suggest we do the same. First I would avoid reviewing your images during this time. However I’d go over in your mind what went well and what might perhaps a bit trying. Then I would already be almost repeating my time of calmness, thinking about possibly the next location. Either sit, or enjoy the natural area you are in or slowly walk around (without your camera) all the while looking and enjoying the nature of where you are. Perhaps a drink or a snack will be beneficial. Only depart when you are very relaxed.
Though a bit unconventional, these practices work for me as well as a lot of other successful nature photographers. Try them out for yourself. You might be surprised.
“Have no fear of perfection – you’ll never reach it”……Salvador Dali
