Patience and Persistence

Starting the New Year relying on my ‘tried & true’ digital post formulas, I was feeling static and unenthusiastic–in other words, suffering a creative impasse. I was perplexed as how to infuse new ideas and vitality into my post-processing routine.  I knew it necessitated ambition and action on my part… but where to start?

Fortunately an email from a leading company requesting I produce a live webinar using their innovative software was the catalyst for banishing my creative block. As I began exploring and experimenting in untried software, I realized how easy it is to feel stale staying in one’s ‘comfort zone’. Stretching the boundaries impassioned my creativity and motivated me to expand my post-production initiatives.

Achieving a higher skill level was my only option for bringing new excitement and expression to my work!  

PRESETS: A GOOD STARTING POINT

My definition of Workflow: One works to bring Flow to one’s Process … FLOW: a state of mind when acquired skills and creative spirit align.

In my view,  if your technical skills don’t go beyond applying a filter preset to your image, it’s a long shot that you will unveil your own originality. Presets can influence and inspire. However, if one’s goal is to communicate his or her artistic interpretation, a more passionate and imaginative approach is essential, as well as an ever-expanding skill-set.

The creative challenge requires we make mistakes; by exploring and learning new methods we inevitably bring our own persona into our work. Remember: Our creative spirit reflects who we are!

Here are a few of my newly created images.
(Left, raw digital files. Right, finished works.)

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

Creative Processing Master Class

With Bobbie Goodrich & Guy Tal
July 9-14, 2014
Santa Fe, New Mexico

We all strive to make images that convey something meaningful – stories, emotions, and significant impressions. While equipment, field technique, and subject matter all play important roles in the success of an image, it is good processing techniques that gets it past the finish line, looking like you intended it to, and dressed to impress!

Bobbie and Guy cover their unique processing methods and preferred tools, honed through years of professional work; and a proven record of teaching them in the most effective way possible. This is not a “tips and tricks” workshop, but an in-depth, hands-on learning experience.

The class covers today’s most powerful digital processing applications: Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Topaz and the Nik Collection of tools and filters, as well as in-field camera instruction.

For Itinerary and Registration, visit:
CREATIVE PROCESSING MASTER CLASS

To learn more about Guy’s photography, visit: www.guytal.com. And check out his latest book that builds on previously published essays (blog posts, magazine columns, etc.) In addition, the eBook contains high-resolution images that capture the sensitivity and perception that Tal enlightens us with in his writings:
More Than A Rock: Essays on Art, Landscape and Photography.
A selection of essays on the topic of Creative Landscape Photography.

White Horses of the Camargue 2014

With Bobbie Goodrich
May 11-18, 2014  Only 2 spaces left!
Camargue, France