“ We study and educate ourselves not only for our own good, but for the benefit of all”
This is one of my favourite quotes; James Robertson Marshall, one of my early Natural Health teachers was a kind and gentle soul always concerned about making sure everyone, not only his students, would get the most from his experiences and teachings to take along onto their own path.
As we always grow on the visions, experiences, and achievements of others who have gone before us and have shared their learning in some way or other, here is a short list ( to not keep you clicking away for too long) of links to some of the resources that I have found inspiring and useful for my own creative path; more to be added over time.
http://www.lenswork.com/ Brooks Jensen publishes one of the best photography magazines, podcasts, articles, interviews; all fabulous insights and inspirations on the creative process
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/index.shtml Michael Reichmann’s is one of the largest photography sites; tutorials, product reviews, creativity, arts, and more
http://kelbytraining.com/ Scott Kelby’s all things about Photoshop and Lightroom; tutorials in form of articles and videos
http://strobist.blogspot.com/ articles, examples, videos and tutorials on lighting and photographic tools and technique
psychologyforphotographers.com very interesting short articles by Jenika on why and how people do what they do both as artists as well as clients and buyers
http://www.terryanncarter.ca/ former president of Haiku Canada, well known poet, teacher, and activist
http://www.haikucanada.org/
http://www.haikunorthamerica.com/
http://tobaccoroadpoet.blogspot.com/ Curtis Dunlap’s site with plenty of literature and poetry
Looking at other photographer’s images is always a source of inspiration, of course. It provides direct examples and ideas that may be translated into our own process and projects. When we, however, move to other, seemingly unrelated, art forms for inspiration we can expand not only our repertoire of actual imagery but we expand our own vision, imagination, and potential right from within. While reading haiku, if I may use this as an example of my own experience, I cannot but notice the mind wandering and imagining scenes and contexts and ideas emerging for possible future images and projects to create. Not other haiku, but photographs. This is a process that not only adopts from the external stimulus, but involves one’s own mind to move creatively whilst actively (or is it passively?) engaged in another experience; a transfer or translation of sorts is required from taking in one art experience into creating another. And so our all-shared creative process keeps on expanding and growing ceaselessly and almost inevitably simply through enjoying the endless stream of creativity around us.
and while I am at it, a few photography related quotes
This benefit of seeing… can come only if you pause a while, extricate yourself from the maddening mob of quick impressions ceaselessly battering our lives, and look thoughtfully at a quiet image… the viewer must be willing to pause, to look again, to meditate. Dorothea Lange
When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence. Ansel Adams
Consulting the rules of composition before taking a photograph is like consulting the laws of gravity before going for a walk. Edward Weston
In photography, the biggest difference between an amateur and a professional is… the size of the wastebasket. David Timms
peter