“One Moment in Time”

We judge ourselves too harshly when we look at the now
(which may not measure up to our dreams and expectations)
and think,
“This is My Life”rather than looking at our lives as a sequence of images
a flow of moments in time
that – lived through, gathered together -
reflect complex lives of good times and bad
triumphs and illusions of failure.

Underlying all:

The personal story of constant expression
of love, inspiration, depth of spirit, courage

The experience of pure moments
thankfulness to be alive.

Remember your story

(or perhaps you’ve forgotten
and need someone to tell it to you,
and remind you of the images)

Celebrate the amazing fact
that you are still here to tell the tale

Yes.

Then you may say,
 ”This is My Life.”

***

Last week I posted a short article hereabout “sequencing” in photography – where you use the flow of a series of photographs to tell a story, rather than depending on one image to tell it all.I found once again that the choices we make in art often reflect the way we think about life.

Must your life right now be the “ultimate image?” Or can you relax, and trust in the beauty of sequencing, your true life story…

Perhaps we could remember that,  just as in “sequencing,” our lives cannot be evaluated by just one image, one moment in time.

For when you get discouraged – poetry by David Whyte

Sometimes we need something to ground us, to remind us of the true things to concentrate on, rather than the outer life things that seem to be so important.

This poem by David Whyte, “Tilicho Lake,” (read by the author), is one of those poems that bring us back to the essence of our soul.

What about sequencing?

Minor White had much to say about the concept of “sequencing” – where you use the flow of a series of photographs to tell your story, rather than depending on one image to tell it all.

After spending most of today reviewing, editing, and printing photographs for a Galveston portfolio – lots of fog, subtle tone, blue-grays, silence – I had to take a break and work with something with COLOR!

So I visited some images I created last Halloween, when I unexpectedly found teens roaming the Galveston beaches in costumes.

As I was deciding what to print, I found it was difficult, because often there would be two images that were similar, but had changes in movement – the “characters” had walked to different places on the beach, and were having new interactions.

When I shot these images, I was intrigued by exactly that – the flow of teens, how they come and go, change groups, photograph each other, group, go away, regroup, etc. And that can’t be captured in one definitive photo.

So I’m sharing with you tonight several images that reflect what I’m talking about – sequencing – arranging images so you build a feeling – an understanding –  a glimpse into someone else’s world.

This my first-time playing – we’ll see what my final body of work becomes -

What about you? Are you remembering sequencing as an option, or do you prefer the “ultimate image?”

 

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In the creative zone – listening to KCRW Eclectic 24 tonight

Working on a photography project and listening to KRCW Eclectic 24 – what great programming!

I’ve been in the zone for hours as the music just keeps on going…

What do you listen to as you create?

“Halloween Spartans” – Galveston, Texas ©2011 Heidi Straube

Eve Arnold, Magnum Photographer, Dies at 99

Slide show from NY Times Lens Blog, Eve Arnold Dies at 99
Full obituary, Eve Arnold, New York Times 1.6.2012

A huge influence, in spirit and in talent…

From shooting “safe” to unleashing your creativity – a conversation with Josh Haner, NY Times photographer

“When you cover something you haven’t seen before, you tend to be safe for the first few days. You have to get the safe pictures out of your system. Then you can look cumulatively at what you’ve done. You have to get to the point of boredom and then get past that. And that’s where the creativity starts.”
(Josh Haner)

Conversation with Josh Haner, NY Times Photographer.

Short, wonderful comments about how to take a picture that is different when everyone is shooting in the same place, how to get from “safe” shooting to truly creative work, and who he calls when he’s on the road late at night and why…

 

Refresh your creativity – change up the usual

Photo by Zack Whitehouse, © 2011

Summer 2010, Burlington, Vermont.  I handed my camera over to my then 15-year old nephew Zack and said “Shoot whatever you want.”

I’ve been doing this for years, and love seeing the results. I think he has a natural photographer’s eye, plus it’s fun seeing a familiar place through another photographer’s eyes.

I made a CD for Zack of his images, and it got lost, then found, then I moved, lost, found…you get the picture. It never made it to the mailbox, or into my suitcase when I traveled to Vermont.

So finally, this Christmas I decided it was ridiculous that he hadn’t even seen what he had shot – so I made a new CD. I  also had fun making a short slideshow from images that I selected. I wanted to show Zack how grouping photos and putting music to them can provide context, interest, and also demonstrate the strength and theme of his vision.

I also enjoyed giving Zack that affirming experience of seeing images in a more “professional” format, rather than just posted on a photo sharing website.

While making the slideshow, I remembered how much I love sequencing images, telling a visual story, and matching music to the flow. It was much more fun than just loading a bunch of images onto a CD, and gave me more creative ideas for my own work along the way.

So just a little reminder to all that changing up the way you share photos, or work with them, can give you a whole new energy for shooting and sharing, and can spark that creativity again. Working with another person’s images also frees up some of your own self-judgment, and can help you be more playful!

Thanks, Zack, for your fine work and for letting me share this! I hope you continue to expand your creativity -

Here’s the slideshow – a short 2 minutes -

Zack Whitehouse, Photographer – Burlington, VT 2010

Notes:

* What did I use? After fooling with various software on my Mac, I ended up using Lightroom 3, which was the simplest for me.

* Why this image? There are actually two in the slideshow (look for them!).  The first is three teens walking along;  the second is this image, where the girl in the pink top broke into a little dance. Zack nailed it. Love that -

One of my favorite Christmas tunes…:) Merry Christmas!

Jimmy Buffet – Christmas Island

See you on the island – one of these Christmases!

May your holidays be full of love and inspiration…

heidi

“The Music They Made” – sound collage of musicians who died in 2011

“The Music They Made,” a short video made by Wm. Ferguson and featured in the New York Times – watch for the unusual photographs that you may not have seen before of these wonderful musicans who died this year.

It’s interesting to me that I recognized all of the songs, but didn’t always have a visual of the  musician. I liked experiencing through this video the power of photography to enhance my experience, and make it more personal when hearing each one’s music.

What a great example of how simplicity of presentation can also still be powerful.

I miss many of them – Gil Scott Heron and Todd Rungren were unique  – the photo of Todd Rungren is great, complex – and the hearing/seeing all brought back memories of happy times.

A nice tribute to a diversity of  individuals, contributions to the world, and lasting legacies.

P.S. I like this term -  a “sound collage” (used by Mr. Ferguson).

Inspiring Video – Louie Schwartzberg

Video: Louie Schwartzberg – “Gratitude”

I often bypass these videos because they are too “schmaltzy.” But a good friend sent this one to me, and, feeling the need of inspiration, I checked it out.

Louie Schwartzberg starts slowly, but the story he’s telling grew on me. I stayed with it, and once the old man he was filming began to talk, I was hooked.

The voice and sentiment of the old man’s narration is deep, beautiful, and with the enhancement of images and  music, effortlessly leads you to a true feeling state of gratitude.

A nice way to start the day -

Check it out…