Good news - I finally got my moderator privileges returned (Thanks to Ryan Mense).
September brings a new theme. In the heat of the moment I thought it might be good for us all to sit back and consider where we may have found inspiration for our work - this could be a fellow photographer, artist or location. It could be the beauty of the animal kingdom, a beautiful person (inside or out).... you get my drift.
If comfortable think about adding one of your own works and let us know where that influence can be seen.
This is just meant to be a fun exercise, there is no right or wrong here. And of course banner-worthy images will be selected each Friday (sorry Julian, you had a great run....)
Just to start us off. I have always been drawn to the beginnings of photography. With long exposures a requirement due to insensitive film anything in motion proved hard to capture, giving birth to the motion blur we are so familiar with.
This, in part proved inspirational in processing a recent series taken on a Maine beach. I had already planned to take longer exposures to capture motion and strip down detail in the image, the vintage, grainy processing seems fitting for this work.
Is this a result of what is called ICM?
Yes, more or less - ICM has such a vague and vast definition.
Traditional ICM creates an output that is directly related to camera movement. This technique is basically a long exposure with the camera moving to try and follow/maintain the essence of the subject.
I have been playing with/studying ICM techniques for a couple of years now - what once was niche technique is now becoming more mainstream with some fantastic results.
I have a lot of examples on my website (alanbrownphotography.com) and a chronicle of my ICM journey in my blog if interested in the technique.
Wow! Your work is amazing. I've only heard of ICM recently. After looking at your site and reading other stuff, I experimented yesterday a little, but it started to rain. When it's done skillfully, it really produces beautiful art! Thank you for your explanation. I appreciate it!
Thanks for your kind and generous words Jennifer. There is a lot of new and exciting ICM work out there. If interested and would like direction to useful resources I'd be happy to help.
I'd appreciate whatever resources you could send. I try to read at least one article and watch at least one video per day. Most days I get a few of each in. I'll add whatever you pass on to my list for sure. I appreciate your time!
Love your images here, Alan. I think they convey just what you describe, and do suggest those old images without exactly imitating them.
Good choice for this Discussion theme, as I puzzle where Fstoppers get their inspiration - no offence to him, but I believe there were some good photographers before Elia L.
I've loved the arts, visual and musical, all my life, and my recent house renovation's main improvement was two large bookshelves for art portfolios.
When I met my gorgeous future wife, she had a camera, and her beauty was my inspiration! I tried some architectural semi-abstracts, and found that composition was actually a bit tricky. Framing up Simone, handholding the camera, gave me practice at composing quickly within the frame, and I've still got a couple of "perfect" images I can't imagine improving on of her. They're all on film, unscanned.
My biggest early photographic influence was Ansel Adams, and I feel he is still my bedrock. His assistant John Sexton was next. Bernd & Hilla Becher's "Blast Furnaces" and their other 'typologies" inspire me still. Michael Kenna followed, as has Hiroshi Sugimoto.
Until recently I pretty much wanted to make colour images, yet all of the above work in monochrome, showing how inspiration can be indirect. On reflection, Turner probably was my "bedrock" for colour per se. Art Wolfe's "Light on the Land" was a massive inspiration. Joe Cornish's "First Light" impressed and influenced me greatly, but now I find it a bit formulaic, if well crafted. I liked his work so much, I got all his earlier portfolios - and chucked them out, because he wasn't much chop at first! I'd still be happy if I were ever as good as him, but inspiration comes from some higher plane or other place, beyond skill and craft for me.
I'll try to post examples of images of mine that directly reflect inspiration by a particular artist.
Thanks for your thoughtful response Chris.
It's wonderful that you gain inspiration from your wife, that's such a great story. I'd love to see those 'perfect' images, especially if they are older. I feel the old film shots have a soul that digital still struggles to reproduce.
It's funny you mention monochrome. I'm not sure whether is is a reaction to the proliferation of over-saturated landscapes that seem to be popular nowadays but I feel I am becoming increasingly drawn to B&W - my latest inspiration in that medium is Chris Friel (who is actually color blind!).
Let's keep the discussion growing - you have mentioned artists I need to check out.
So glad you got your super powers back Alan.
Though I've have studied many painters and artists of days long gone, as well as have avidly tried to absorb as much as I can from tons of amazing photographers, one comment made to me by Francis Ford Coppola when I was maybe 22 or so has always stuck with me.
"The challenge is finding the rhythm of your subject."
Although that idea was in me already, having it articulated so succinctly helped me to focus on my work in ways I never understood possible before.
So for me over the years the rhythms, the music of the place or person tend to inspire me the most.
Be it be the sounds of the street, the cadence of someones speech or actions, or the visual beat that is present in a subject, the music that is all around pulls me into the story.
Nothing bores me more than "perfection". Those plastic skin, over edited, nuclear colours, red/blue gelled, high concept/low feeling, sanitized, blah blah images that are all the rage now do not connect with me in any way. There are boring, there is no rhythm or soul in that kind of an image.
Perhaps that is why I am drawn to your work Alan, your intentional approach to your subject's story is, in a way, an example of the rhythm I'm banging on about.
The waves as they roll in while the two figures stand still or the breeze in one of your amazing ICM tree images, the playful mournful tune in that merry-go-round image, are all music to my eyes.
Great theme for the month! I look forward to seeing what grows from it.
Thanks for your input here Julian, and of course your kind words regarding my work.
You certainly find the rhythm in your own work Julian, my favorites where you capture the rhythm of the streets, building stories of subjects and their natural surroundings.
Your quest for soul in an image certainly resonates with me. I wonder whether the lack of is the result of artists so intent on mimicking the style of others that
they miss out on adding their own unique character. I certainly feel that may be the case with some of the gaudy landscapes that seem to be so popular in the US.
For a long time after my strokes (10/2016 and 01/2017) it was really difficult for me to a) walk and carry a full-frame camera and b) I had to be looking down all the time to keep from stepping in the wrong spot and falling. Hence, a lot of images of things on sidewalks that I had not previously paid any attention to. For instance, contractors' marks are pretty opaque to most of us. I knew what they were but rarely knew what they meant.I called this group of photographs "Secret Messages from Our Alien Overlords."
A truly inspiring perspective on the creative process. Thank you for giving us such a gift about seeing, not just looking, at the world around us.
I look forward to seeing more of your explorations and I hope you will share them with us in this group.
Kudos for you Andrew in persevering is what must be the harshest of conditions - you are certainly an inspiration to me.
I love the way you seek beauty in the mundane and what others may overlook. I think we can all learn from your work - we do need need a fantastic mountain vita or glorious sunset, a true artist can find beauty and interest in everyday life.
I do see room for a series or even a book on these "scenes from the sidewalk" type images, so keep on pushing Harry out the door and continue your quest.
Thanks, Alan and Julian. While I will never again be what I was pre-stroke, I'm vastly better than I was the first year or two post-stroke. The greatest limitation these days is the yahoos who refuse to mask up and get vaccinated (both my wife and I are, but Harry is ineligible) so we can travel far enough to require a motel. There are lots of places I would like to see.
Good on you, Andrew! I love this image and especially your title! I hadn't realised just what the impact of your strokes was, although I'd suspected something. You've certainly turned what could be seen as a disadvantage to your creative advantage. It's interesting to see the progression in these images - this one, and the colourful one in your porftolio are outstanding. Keep inspiring us!
Same problem, same yahoos here in Australia. Always 5% idiots everywhere. Maybe it's 0.5% but they make it feel ten times worse. Even my doctor colleagues. Beggars belief sometimes.
I love your title for this group of photographs! Looking down is definitely a great exercise - even if there's no other choice for a season. I enjoyed your "down looking" images in your portfolio!
It's not a new image, but certainly reflects the theme.
I'm not a great fan of photojournalism, but can't deny Henri Cartier-Bresson's talents and legacy. A rare landscape from him is by far my favourite. Google his name and Brie and you will find it.
Michael Kenna is a contemporary photographer and one whose work I love, especially his simple seascapes and isolated tree images, sometimes heavily worked (in the darkroom - I think his personal work is still all on film). See his Hokkaido images.
I was looking to emulate HC-B's image when I found a stand of trees near Lorne and by moving around could get the single tree nicely balanced against the tree row. Rain was approaching and lent some atmosphere. Kenna's moody landscapes were in my mind as well. I managed a few frames before rain drove me back into the car.
Much later, I was amazed to learn that Michael Kenna made his own hommage to the very same HC-B image (and named his source)!
I've put "after HC-B" after my signature on mine, as it's a clear tribute. This is too small & discreet to make out in the small Fstoppers files, but I'm not a plagiarist - more of a disciple! Mine is in subdued colour, echoing the others' monochrome.
Thanks Chris, I think both the gentlemen you mention have been an inspiration to most. As I think I have said in the past, an MK influence is clear in this image.
I have selected Julian's great image for this 'banner Friday'. I'd love to feature the work of HCB or MK next Friday if a suitable 'banner friendly' image can be found with reasonable resolution.
This is the chance for all to revisit the work of Henri Cartier-Bresson and Michel Kenna and reacquaint with your most inspiring favorites.
Send me suitable links and we'll pick for next Friday's banner.
With some time to play today, I thought I would share a couple of images inspired by the rhythms of the play between line and light on the shadows and curves.
What inspires me the most is light in all its glory - how it reflects, is absorbed, highlighted, adds dimension, plays with, and mingles in everything.
This image certainly illustrates your point, Jennifer! Gorgeous light and rich colours glowing in it. Nicely composed too, with the bud dancing in front of that blue void. Well done!
Thank you, Chris. I value and appreciate your comment.
Sometimes you come across a photographer whos work you really connect with. Following is a link to a blog entry I wrote on Mark Reeves.
Although I was introduced to Mark through his ICM work I find the quality of his portfolio in general inspirational.
A link to Mark's website galleries is included, and worth a visit;
https://www.alanbrownphotography.com/blog/2021/9/17/the-influencers-mark....
Just a reminder that Friday is the day I at least try to update the banner
Please upload an image that has either provided inspiration to you (your own or others), or is the result of inspiration from another.
As always, the banner format is limited and unforgiving (takes the middle section only with zero options). so please bear that in mind when posting.
No takers? Then enjoy this banner courtesy of Jim Kasson