on creativity
Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at 1:40AM Are you an artist?
Do you feel like a creative person?
I ask because sometimes a person will comment on my creativity and I think, "mmm?!" I don't really feel all that creative. I just do what I do and most of the time I like it. But I have to admit, I don't think of myself as a very creative person. Mostly just a lucky person.
I wonder if this is normal. I wonder if other photographers walk around thinking, "Yup. I've got originality. I've got the juices flowing. I AM AN ARTIST."
For me, I go on a shoot, meet my client, and before I know it, the session is over, I did whatever I did, and everyone is happy. It really is a little like a trance. I work furiously, yea, even spastically. Have you seen the show "Heroes"? You know those annoying parts when Matt Parkman blacks out and gets white in the eyes and goes crazy with the painting of the future? I hate those parts. But sadly, I have to compare my sessions with that.
I leave a session and think, those people were awesome. What the heck just went down?
And then I come home and look at my files and think... oooohhhh. THAT just happened.
The point is, I'd like to believe that creativity is a part of me. I fantasize that deep down I've got a "creative gene". I never, ever was able to recognize any creativity in myself until I picked up a camera.
Love at first shot.
Sometimes this love of photography is overwhelming. OK, a lot of times it is. I'm going to come clean; sometimes, yes, sometimes, I look at a photo I took and I think:
Whoah.
And I give myself a pat on the back.
And I think, hells yes I'm an artist.
That there is a work of art.
And then I look at the rest of my life and everything I'm not good at, everything I could be better at.
And get put back in my place.
And the world keeps on moving!
To all you photogs (and others) out there:
Do you feel like an artist?
Discuss.
Reader Comments (24)
Oh, your creative, all right. I feel creative about half the time, other than that I just feel like a poseur!
I'm a photog wannabe and I wish I was more creative. People will comment that I'm creative sometimes but I don't at all think that I am, I think my artist sister got all the creative genes in our family. Sigh. Gorgeous pics as always!
Artistry is definitely subjective, but I am pretty sure there are a LOT of subjective opinions out there that think you are an AMAZING photographer and artist (me included). For me, as long as I have at least one person compliment my artistic ability, I feel it a success. I just look at photography as my own creative outlet and as long as I still enjoy it, I will keep it up! Not always is everyone going to love everything, but I am pretty sure you often give even the most critical of skeptics a reason to appreciate your artistry. I am in awe very often by the portraits you take. Keep up the good work! :)
PS - I bet she was a dream to photograph with eyes like that - WOW!
You know, it depends on the days sometimes. There might be a day where the lighting bounces off the trees in a dreamy way and I start thinking of backdrops, poses and faces and how I could capture them with this "perfect" lighting. Other days it seems like it doesn't come as easily. Maybe that's what makes it so magical... that it isn't a constant.
Ya know... I think I feel a lot like you do most of the time. Sometimes I'll try to plan out before a shoot what I'm going to do. Or i'll get wonderful ideas for something that I just "hope" work out. But for the most part I just take along my camera and hope something good comes out. And hope that I can make my customers happy as well.
I love your blog, and I particularly love this post. Glad I'm not the only one who feels like this! Last year I graduated from BYU in visual arts, and now I'm going to a small art school. As I draw and paint, I don't necessary feel like an artist and I don't really feel creative. But then as I draw or paint, somehow it all comes together and I produce something good and fairly creative. I constantly feel like I'm trying to bring out my creative side. I think the more I draw and paint, the more I study other artists, and the more I'm surrounded by good artists/art, the more creative I become. Here's hoping...
As I read your post, I thought, get out of my brain! I've always dreamed of being a creative and artistic person, but don't feel like it most of the time. And to hear comments about myself being so creative, it just takes me aback!
I got lucky enough to marry a really artist who just saturates creativety. Me on the other hand just likes to bask in his glow, but when I pick up my camera I fill like I'm alive and there's nothing in the world better then being behind my view finder. I have only really been doing this for a couple of months and have loved your blog not to mention all the other wounderful blogs out there. So thank you for your creativety and helping me to find mine.
Anyone who creates art is an artist! Some are more skilled than others but if you create you are creative. I love the distinction of fine art. We all have the ability to create art. But only those of us who strive for excellence in our art succeed in refining our skill in creating "Fine Art".
I don't think art is supernatural. I think it is very practical. And I think truly great art comes from the deepest part of ones self. The soul! Sometimes that's hard to pinpoint. But if you love what you do and you are producing something beautiful, you are making art that matters. Bravo!
The scary thing is when people attempt to convert their creative ability into mere commerce. What they stop caring about it in a personal way and begin to make it just a job for a client. Indifference to ones art art is the greatest sin against oneself! I could go on and on about this but I wont...
You take wonderful photographs! Do you live in Temecula? I do photography in Murrieta. I was exceted when I found your work cause there aren't very many good photographers out here. It would be great meet sometime!
Until then, keep on creating you art you arty artist you! ;)
Ok, seriously? Are we really having this conversation? You are brilliant and creative! I think of my self as a creative person, but in a different "craft" than you. I always see your photos and think, "amazing!"
I'm not a photographer, I'm a traditional crafter... scrapbooking, quilting, sewing, homemaking.... I often look at my stuff and think, "Oh, 'such and so' can make this so much prettier than me!", but it's mine and 'such and so' may think it's amazing- who knows:)
I'm not sure if you've viewed it, but I just love this video- always brings tears and a knot in the throat:) Enjoy!
Just scroll down to the "create video" once you've followed the link.
http://www.lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,4644-1,00.html
This might take you right to the video, I'm not totally sure.
http://broadcast.lds.org/video/create/RS_2009_02_00_Create_HD_eng_.wmv
Nope!!! Even with everyday projects... I tend to make things harder for myself than they should be; the ideas just keep coming until I'm doing a lot more than I bargained for. Some people have called it creativity, but I feel like there's lots of pressure that comes with the word.
You on the other hand..... take the credit! These pictures are beautiful! I love the colors! (and yes, they're creative)
Holy Sh. I want to swear. You are so creative and it boggles my mind that you don't feel it!
you should!
Mmmm, I have my moments! But you, well, I'd say by the look of these pictures you are an artist! They are GORGEOUS!!!!!
bobbiebrown5.blogspot.com
I have moments of brilliance, the creativity begins with photoshop it seems for most these days.
Like you I didn't feel creative until I picked up a camera just over a year ago. And then it was as if I suddenly had paintbrushes and a canvas. Which is why it's so frustrating when I feel in an absolutely creative RUT at the moment, wishing I could capture even a smidgen of the gorgeousness that you do. (Loved EVERY SINGLE IMAGE from that last wedding post.)
Lovely post! You are an artist :)
That first one is definitely a "whoa" picture. I hope she loves it! I too feel like sessions go by in a blur... families with lots of kids.... weddings with time restrictions... Maybe I need to put more thought into the whole process - trying to be creative on purpose, instead of just going with the flow? Would that be proactive photography? (as opposed to reactive?)
I would consider myself an artistic person. Especially because I am not sporty or athletic or anything like that, so I gotta claim something. My medium definitely isn't photography, but I can do some fun stuff with yarn... and I think I can sketch pretty decently.
I think that you may not think of yourself as creative because it comes so easily to you that you forget that you definitely ARE and artist. Just because it comes natural to you, does not mean it isn't creative. You are amazing!
Nope. I don't feel creative at all. I usually plan out my shoots. It's the shots in between that are my favorites. The ones that just happen.
But that is interesting, becasue I think YOU are creative!
I like that link that CHristine posted. It's part of a talk by Pres. Uchtdorf. LOVEDITLOVEDITLOVEDIT! Interesting thoughts on "create."
Hey Wendy, just thought I'd drop you a comment, I love this post! I too, when I am working, it's like I'm in a blackout. I thought it was just me! Then I look back at the pictures and think, did that really happen? I feel like I am the most un-creative person on the planet...I mean, my drawings are sad, stick figures. BUT-I am doing something right (I think) behind the camera. Anyway-congrats on your two year!
Creative has always been a weird word for me, because to create is work and effort and the things I feel like I need to do are more innate than that. While my bills are paid by a very non-creative job, my life is experienced through what would be considered creative endeavors. My desire to photograph, and write and paint don't come from a place of wanting to create something - it comes from a place of needing to express what's inside of me in a tangible fashion.
I love the question posed and love your photography. You're very creative :)
Okay, I was just telling my husband the exact same thing! I feel like I look at all these other blogs and the photography and posing and creativity is amazing! And so I picture what I want, but it never turns out like what I see! So, when people compliment my work and tell me how talented I am, I'm like, "Um, no I'm not. No, really, I'm not! No, it's total luck that I got that shot - I didn't do it!" I definately feel like I have a long ways to go and I'm just HOPING that one day it's going to click and I'll be in the "zone" when I'm shooting and it'll all just flow! So glad you wrote this post. I don't feel alone now!! -Kelly P.S. Your work IS amazing!
Oh man..I totally get it with the whole Heroes analogy thing. You are so speedy during your sessions and BAM there is an amazing outcome. You have talent we all crave....so glad you've shared it with us!
I wish I just had an ounce of your creativity. It is just a part of you...it is who you are and I love it. and you.