Moving forward.

I recently read a short little article  on 99u.com about moving forward--and when you should.  Should you wait until everything is perfect and you feel comfortable before you make your move?

“Move before you are ready…Most people wait too long to go into action, generally out of fear. They want more money or better circumstances. you must go the opposite direction and move before you think you are ready. It is as if you are making it a little more difficult for yourself, deliberately creating obstacles in your path. But it is a law of power that your energy will always rise to the appropriate level. When you feel that you must work harder to get to your goal because you are not quite prepared, you are more alert and inventive. This venture has to succeed and so it will.”

Robert Greene

It reminded me of the experience that I use to bolster my confidence on many occasions.  I remember walking into The Bob Poe Gallery in Bergamont Station in Los Angeles with a girlfriend several years ago.   We went up to see a show on Lillan Bassman.  Bassman was a fashion photographer from the 1940's through the 60's, working with the likes of Richard Avedon and Robert Frank.  (Helloooo!!) She essentially got fed up with fashion and quit for a while, but in the 90's her work was rediscovered--when she was in her EIGHTIES.  Not only was her work beautiful, but in her 80's, she and her work experienced a resurgence of popularity.  Her story spoke to me and I wanted to see her show hanging at the Peter Fetterman gallery.

After we saw the Bassman show, we wandered around Bergamont Station, and came upon the Bob Poe gallery.  Poe produces large scale canvas using his iPhone to create abstract and very painterly images.  We chatted with the gallery manager and I asked several a questions about Poe's images.  He asked if I was a photographer and when I said yes, asked if I had a portfolio.  They were looking for one final artist to complete an upcoming show.  He gave me the submission information and asked if I was interested.  Umm.  In all of Los Angeles, you haven't found a photographer?  His response?  In a nutshell:  Most people don't follow through.  They say they will submit, but they don't.  It's not perfect, it's not this or it's not that.  Fear.

"It is as if you are making it a little more difficult for yourself, deliberately creating obstacles in your path."

My girlfriend and I went to lunch and she talked me into submitting.  We sat giggling and imaging the opening night of the show....Then I still had to go back home and gather my images and push the SEND button.  Lots of opportunities to back out.  I hadn't had my personal work in a gallery setting since college!  But, somehow, I pushed past the huge amount of fear and push send I did.

"But it is a law of power that your energy will always rise to the appropriate level.  When you feel that you must work harder to get to your goal because you are not quite prepared, you are more alert and inventive.  This venture has to succeed and so it will."

And my work was chosen.  Was it perfect?  No.  Was I ready? Definitely not.  But it was going to be up in a Los Angeles gallery in a matter of months, ready or not.

Since then, I have used the memory of that experience on many occasion in which I have felt fearful, unsure and unready.  Deep breaths, push send.

"...the law of power that your energy will always rise to the appropriate level."

What do you do to push past the fear and put yourself out there?

Happy Accidents

An unexpected catch up day today in the darkroom. This image is from a shoot from a couple of years ago.  (So this is kind of a throw back Thursday type of post, right?) A long time in planning, we are finally creating the triptych of large scale float mounted metal prints to display in the lobby of A Theory in Motion Pilates Studio in Irvine that my client has been dreaming about.  Artwork that is personal and meaningful.  While finalizing the images to send into production, playing just a little with this one created this happy accident.  While not suitable for this particular project, it will definitely have to find it's place somewhere in the world!

What's the best camera?

I get asked this a lot.  I'm pretty sure the initial answer I give is not one that people are looking for.  My answer usually starts with "It's the camera you have with you.  Because really, you can't capture anything if you don't have a camera with you."

Don't get me wrong, I love my "big" camera (Canon 5D Mark ii) but I also love my little walk around, underwater camera (Olympus Tough) and my even littler iPhone camera.  And, full disclosure, I would love to get my hands on the Mark iii!)

Although better gear can give you more flexibility, it doesn't necessarily make you a better photographer, and in some cases, might stifle your abilities if you aren't familiar with or afraid of the vast array of possibility that a DSLR allows.

So, when the pull of desire for new equipment comes calling, sometimes I challenge myself to create compelling images with the Olympus or iPhone. It reminds me that I can still create appealing and meaningful images no matter what camera I use.

What are you going to shoot today?

Featuring Orange County Artist: Andi G. Arts

My daughter's school is working hard on beautification projects and it should--after all, this school was no spring chicken when I was a kid living in the area!  The exciting addition of this beautiful wave mural  is by Andi G. Arts, a local artist from San Clemente.  I think the best part of Andi working on campus has been the kid's interest in her project, seeing a real artist in action and an art piece come to life before their eyes.  

If you'd like to see more of Andi's work, click here.  If you'd like to read more, click here.