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.

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?”

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

A huge influence, in spirit and in talent…

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…

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 -

See you on the island – one of these Christmases!

May your holidays be full of love and inspiration…

heidi

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).

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…