To be creative is to be human I reckon. Heck, even accountants 😉. Why drawing/painting is deemed the sole domain of creativity is plain nuts. Keep it up guys, I'm kind of binge catching up🎉 Ooh, like that quote at the end. Bring on joy!
Heya Cole, since John brought up that picture behind you, I watched a vid where you gave a presentation and spoke about the creative process behind it. What a great idea, the “swirl” technique from your Alaska trip. Sigh; all those years and thousands of shots taken from the cab of a train, and I seriously never thought of that. I would’ve had to ask the conductor to babysit the deadman, but still. Nice work; nice brain-work. I thought I was doing well while I was driving them, having practically memorized every peak, valley, river, nook and cranny along the 257-mile length of our two subdivisions, and you got on a vacation and boom. And better yet, I don’t think I’ve seen anyone else do that particular twist. I salute you, sir! As for defining creativity, I’ll take a crack at it: it’s the sum of things you have to do to quiet the inner urge. Sounds a lot creepier when Hannibal Lecter says it though…
I typically don't shoot flowers. Everybody shoots flowers, however, when I do and I post images on FB, I get many many likes and comments. When I post what really displays my vision, i.e. abandoned properties etc. I get a few likes. This does not deter me at all from shooting what I like. I'd rather have an explosion of creativity and love my images than "snap snap" a few flowers as I walk by them. That being said, I've seen some extraordinary flower images where the photographer got really creative.
Ever heard of UVIVF (Ultraviolet Induced Visible Fluorescence)? It's a special kind of photography you can do with a dark room (black as you can make it) and all you need is your camera and likely a tripod (unless you're setting up on a table-top), a houseplant, and a cheap little black light flashlight you'd get for $20 at a party store. Once you, your gear and your plant are in the dark, black room, you turn on your black light flashlight and point it at the plant. Takes a couple minutes, but the black light will cause the flower to fluoresce in the darkness, and if you calculate for a long exposure, the result will make the flower look like something out of nighttime in Avatar. Plug "Ultraviolet Induced Visible Fluorescence" into your TH-cam searchbar and check it out 😊
I absolutely bought a camera too many years ago to count because I thought 'well, I can't draw so....' I really think we need to bring art classes centered in creativity (as opposed to making a particular piece look a certain way) to school kids of every age. Every year and every grade. Can you imagine such a beautiful thing?! It was only as an adult, years after I started photography, that I was brave enough to sign up for an abstract painting class. It really opened my eyes to pure creativity. Plus problem solving. Being ok with making ugly paintings. Perseverance. Gee, maybe every photography class should start with fingerpainting just to loosen everybody up.
It's especially interesting to see you guys grappling with the concept of "creativity". It's been lurking in the background of your discussions undefined for a while. Clearly - and understandably, in my view - you find it a slippery and difficult concept to define. (If this and other similar concepts were easy to define, I'd probably be out of a job!) But as I see it, we are being creative whenever we create. This is utterly trivial, of course, which is why I never for a moment wonder or worry about whether I am being "creative" in my photography. It simply never crosses my mind. To create is, surely, to make something that did not exist before, and every image we make did not exist before. Every image is an act of creation - a creative act. So I completely agree with the claim that we are all creative - we all have the capacity to create. What complicates matters is that we are taught to associate being creative with being "original" - with doing something that no one has done before. It is that association which, I think, leads some to think that the are not creative. I think that's a definite mistake. I never worry about whether I am being "original" or "creative". My only concern is whether my image expresses me as well and as fully as I can. And if someone else has done something similar before, I really can't think of any good reason to give a damn about that.
I think to create is not necessarily creativity. I can complete a "paint by number" painting and while have created something, it's not creative. I'm at a loss to define creativity with words, but like pornography...I know it when I see it! (which implies that we all see it differently) But like you, none of these words matter, only that I'm "creating" something that expresses something from inside of me, and that I love what I have created.
I’m still in this non-creative group from time to time. I’ll look at my images and compare them to some and think ‘yeah, I don’t have the spark.’ Also, I can’t draw a line with a ruler so the idea of not being creative was set in my head. Am I creative? I don’t know but I enjoy trying to be! Keep bringing this up, many of us need to hear it more often.
When I compare myself to others, I always feel inadequate. But when I look at my early work and compare it to where I am now, I feel pretty good about my progress. When we compare, all we can see is other's strength's and our weaknesses. It's an unfair comparison.
I do know one thing: if you think you don't have a spark, you won't. It's a wind in the grass, leaves laughing above, the low bubble of the brook below, it's whatever draws your attention on it's own without you directing it on purpose. May be out of place, but maybe ponder this for a night (it's an old Zen poem I picked up somewhere, and I think it's the identity of the spark without a description: Attention comes from nowhere It has no purpose It does not belong to anyone
Just so you know, John and Cole, I hit the bell when you first started your youtube channel and I got notifications for a while and then nothing. I have had that happen with other youtubers that I follow. Not sure why! Anyway I am back to watching and really appreciate your wisdom. BTW, being with you in the Palouse, we have a lot of the same photos, but I’m just now seeing yours on your IG feed. I was not imitating you, I was taking photos (just to quote you) that “feed my soul”. The Palouse is so rich in opportunities. I’m thinking of returning in Aug.
A working definition of creativity I like is the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities helpful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others.
Cezzane was rejected from art schools and his work ignored. - so he worked in isolation. Not until his late fifties was he recognized as father of modern art. Creative? 4-sure. After the jumping up& down- is it skill that learns from the mistakes? RDSWINFORD
There are endless examples of great artists who were not appreciated during their lifetime. As our James Taylor quote from a couple of episodes ago mentioned, maybe that was a good thing too!
If Roxy Music were to sing about creativity, which to me is about the experience more than the output, it would go like this: Oh-oh, catch that buzz Creativity is the drug I'm thinking of Oh-oh, can't you see? Creativity is the drug for me
Picasso is alleged to have said that when inspiration comes, it should find you working. To me, that means you are out there trying things and probably failing. This may be heresy but I'm pretty sure Cartier-Bresson and Ansel Adams made a lot of uncreative-looking photographs.
Not heresy, truth! We do not learn from success, only from failure. And of course failure is only final, when we quit trying. Failure teaches, it refines, it encourages (sometimes through discouragement) and is a necessary ingredient for a growing person. Good comment!
To be creative is to be human I reckon. Heck, even accountants 😉. Why drawing/painting is deemed the sole domain of creativity is plain nuts. Keep it up guys, I'm kind of binge catching up🎉
Ooh, like that quote at the end. Bring on joy!
Thanks for your comment and for following along. Now, get busy and finish up all 160 episodes.
Great discussion. John you have lead me past the technical hump and helped me focus on creativity. Think and feel. BTW Nice shot of Sparks Lane.
And you are doing a fine job! See you in the Faroe's!
Heya Cole, since John brought up that picture behind you, I watched a vid where you gave a presentation and spoke about the creative process behind it. What a great idea, the “swirl” technique from your Alaska trip. Sigh; all those years and thousands of shots taken from the cab of a train, and I seriously never thought of that. I would’ve had to ask the conductor to babysit the deadman, but still. Nice work; nice brain-work. I thought I was doing well while I was driving them, having practically memorized every peak, valley, river, nook and cranny along the 257-mile length of our two subdivisions, and you got on a vacation and boom. And better yet, I don’t think I’ve seen anyone else do that particular twist. I salute you, sir!
As for defining creativity, I’ll take a crack at it: it’s the sum of things you have to do to quiet the inner urge. Sounds a lot creepier when Hannibal Lecter says it though…
I typically don't shoot flowers. Everybody shoots flowers, however, when I do and I post images on FB, I get many many likes and comments. When I post what really displays my vision, i.e. abandoned properties etc. I get a few likes. This does not deter me at all from shooting what I like. I'd rather have an explosion of creativity and love my images than "snap snap" a few flowers as I walk by them. That being said, I've seen some extraordinary flower images where the photographer got really creative.
Yes, when flower photographers do it in black and white!
Ever heard of UVIVF (Ultraviolet Induced Visible Fluorescence)? It's a special kind of photography you can do with a dark room (black as you can make it) and all you need is your camera and likely a tripod (unless you're setting up on a table-top), a houseplant, and a cheap little black light flashlight you'd get for $20 at a party store. Once you, your gear and your plant are in the dark, black room, you turn on your black light flashlight and point it at the plant. Takes a couple minutes, but the black light will cause the flower to fluoresce in the darkness, and if you calculate for a long exposure, the result will make the flower look like something out of nighttime in Avatar.
Plug "Ultraviolet Induced Visible Fluorescence" into your TH-cam searchbar and check it out 😊
I absolutely bought a camera too many years ago to count because I thought 'well, I can't draw so....' I really think we need to bring art classes centered in creativity (as opposed to making a particular piece look a certain way) to school kids of every age. Every year and every grade. Can you imagine such a beautiful thing?! It was only as an adult, years after I started photography, that I was brave enough to sign up for an abstract painting class. It really opened my eyes to pure creativity. Plus problem solving. Being ok with making ugly paintings. Perseverance. Gee, maybe every photography class should start with fingerpainting just to loosen everybody up.
It's especially interesting to see you guys grappling with the concept of "creativity". It's been lurking in the background of your discussions undefined for a while. Clearly - and understandably, in my view - you find it a slippery and difficult concept to define. (If this and other similar concepts were easy to define, I'd probably be out of a job!) But as I see it, we are being creative whenever we create. This is utterly trivial, of course, which is why I never for a moment wonder or worry about whether I am being "creative" in my photography. It simply never crosses my mind. To create is, surely, to make something that did not exist before, and every image we make did not exist before. Every image is an act of creation - a creative act. So I completely agree with the claim that we are all creative - we all have the capacity to create. What complicates matters is that we are taught to associate being creative with being "original" - with doing something that no one has done before. It is that association which, I think, leads some to think that the are not creative. I think that's a definite mistake. I never worry about whether I am being "original" or "creative". My only concern is whether my image expresses me as well and as fully as I can. And if someone else has done something similar before, I really can't think of any good reason to give a damn about that.
I think to create is not necessarily creativity. I can complete a "paint by number" painting and while have created something, it's not creative.
I'm at a loss to define creativity with words, but like pornography...I know it when I see it! (which implies that we all see it differently)
But like you, none of these words matter, only that I'm "creating" something that expresses something from inside of me, and that I love what I have created.
I’m still in this non-creative group from time to time. I’ll look at my images and compare them to some and think ‘yeah, I don’t have the spark.’
Also, I can’t draw a line with a ruler so the idea of not being creative was set in my head.
Am I creative? I don’t know but I enjoy trying to be!
Keep bringing this up, many of us need to hear it more often.
When I compare myself to others, I always feel inadequate. But when I look at my early work and compare it to where I am now, I feel pretty good about my progress.
When we compare, all we can see is other's strength's and our weaknesses. It's an unfair comparison.
@@colethompson1906I am definitely not the photographer I was so I’ll take the win!
I do know one thing: if you think you don't have a spark, you won't. It's a wind in the grass, leaves laughing above, the low bubble of the brook below, it's whatever draws your attention on it's own without you directing it on purpose.
May be out of place, but maybe ponder this for a night (it's an old Zen poem I picked up somewhere, and I think it's the identity of the spark without a description:
Attention comes from nowhere
It has no purpose
It does not belong to anyone
Just so you know, John and Cole, I hit the bell when you first started your youtube channel and I got notifications for a while and then nothing. I have had that happen with other youtubers that I follow. Not sure why! Anyway I am back to watching and really appreciate your wisdom. BTW, being with you in the Palouse, we have a lot of the same photos, but I’m just now seeing yours on your IG feed. I was not imitating you, I was taking photos (just to quote you) that “feed my soul”. The Palouse is so rich in opportunities. I’m thinking of returning in Aug.
I think when you have SO MANY viewers, like we do, they turn us off. Otherwise we would clog up the internet.
It was great to have you in the Palouse with us Kashia! Even if I can't pronounce your name correctly!!!
A working definition of creativity I like is the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities helpful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others.
Like this!
I find words sooooo inadequate when trying to describe creativity and art. It frustrates me.
Sums it up - and you can't argue with a single word of it😊
Cezzane was rejected from art schools and his work ignored. - so he worked in isolation. Not until his late fifties was he recognized as father of modern art. Creative? 4-sure. After the jumping up& down- is it skill that learns from the mistakes? RDSWINFORD
Can you talk about culling, sequencing and editing? Forming critique groups? Yes start from the jump and just try and see -but there is more to this
There are endless examples of great artists who were not appreciated during their lifetime. As our James Taylor quote from a couple of episodes ago mentioned, maybe that was a good thing too!
Added to the list! Thank you!
If Roxy Music were to sing about creativity, which to me is about the experience more than the output, it would go like this:
Oh-oh, catch that buzz
Creativity is the drug I'm thinking of
Oh-oh, can't you see?
Creativity is the drug for me
Hey, can you add an audio clip of you singing this?
Thanks. Gonna have that on my head all night now! 🤣
Picasso is alleged to have said that when inspiration comes, it should find you working. To me, that means you are out there trying things and probably failing. This may be heresy but I'm pretty sure Cartier-Bresson and Ansel Adams made a lot of uncreative-looking photographs.
Indeed. Thanks for your comment!
Not heresy, truth! We do not learn from success, only from failure. And of course failure is only final, when we quit trying.
Failure teaches, it refines, it encourages (sometimes through discouragement) and is a necessary ingredient for a growing person.
Good comment!
He is also alleged to have said, "The chief enemy of creativity is good sense"... and he did live it, didn't he?