I've lost a couple of friends in the span of 10 years and it's never been easy. Especially since they're all still alive and I could still run into them. It makes me wonder if they bother to archive good memories despite [insert incident here]. What happens to those rare instances when two people actually share something genuinely honest? I must be one-sided here and over-assuming things. The memories in question might not be as valuable as I would think. I admit that I still think about them except on most days when I don't, but not in the "crying-over-spilled-milk" sort of way, at least most of the time. I do have some regrets though.
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Sean Kernan: Creativity and Authenticity
Sunday, January 31, 2010
"Sometimes delusion gets you farther than the truth and that worked out for me."
Sean Kernan gave a talk last Monday (01-25-2010) about the pursuit of creativity and authenticity. As seen clearly from his work, he is motivated by his own personal vision, which is seriously a refreshing change. It was never about money or fame, yet interestingly enough his personal work brought him that. I enjoyed his talk because it was about going beyond one's limitations and opening one's vision to "unfiltered seeing." He emphasized that what's crucial to creativity is "what happens before you create: the days, months, years before you even pick up the camera." This is something that I strongly believe in, that nothing that we've sensed and that which has affected us deeply, is lost. Our photographs can be a reincarnated memory, a feeling, a look or even a specific color. And that is interesting because no individual experiences the same event in the exact same way.
During his talk, Sean mentioned teaching several workshops. One of them was a workshop with women dying of cancer. It made me question the idea of placing oneself in a life-altering state like that... like what kind of photographs will one create then? What sort of work will be born from someone who has X amount of time to do it. A body of work with a real dead-line. Nothing beyond that, for sure. But aren't we all dying at some point anyway? I suppose the certainty of tomorrow not coming produces an urgency that most people neglect to acknowledge.
He describes himself as "an artist on his way to work and became a photographer instead." As an artist, we constantly stumble on ideas and life-altering moments that we choose to give meaning to. Days can turn into meaningless years but somehow the yearning to be different forces us to see things beyond what's there. Although, sometimes events from our lives follow a different course, regardless of meticulous planning. It veers away from all expectations and we are surprised with the results of our work. Did I do this? Who is this person who made this? Sometimes it's about timing and luck, and whether it be a happy accident or not, the point is, we've produced something that's ours. It is an unending struggle to discover something new, original, innovative--to go back to the old light of exploring and be aware of every moment that can change us. Sean so aptly describes it, "It took me to places that I didn't know they were there and if I knew they were there, I would never imagine that I would get there."
Besides creativity, he also spoke about authenticity: "Does it look like you got it elsewhere or that you arrived at it?" Authenticity is about "keeping things in the air as long as you can." It is about the energy of the person who is committed to it, a matter of focusing on the task. This is what sets the game, the stage to something completely real. The artist has to believe in her vision for other people to see what she sees. He advised us to begin at the place where we are insecure. I love this photograph. To me, it illustrates how we contain what we want to say, make, and do. The potential lives in us like these words that have transferred their way from my mind to this page. The challenge is to see what is already within us, waiting to be discovered.
Read more »
Sean Kernan gave a talk last Monday (01-25-2010) about the pursuit of creativity and authenticity. As seen clearly from his work, he is motivated by his own personal vision, which is seriously a refreshing change. It was never about money or fame, yet interestingly enough his personal work brought him that. I enjoyed his talk because it was about going beyond one's limitations and opening one's vision to "unfiltered seeing." He emphasized that what's crucial to creativity is "what happens before you create: the days, months, years before you even pick up the camera." This is something that I strongly believe in, that nothing that we've sensed and that which has affected us deeply, is lost. Our photographs can be a reincarnated memory, a feeling, a look or even a specific color. And that is interesting because no individual experiences the same event in the exact same way.
During his talk, Sean mentioned teaching several workshops. One of them was a workshop with women dying of cancer. It made me question the idea of placing oneself in a life-altering state like that... like what kind of photographs will one create then? What sort of work will be born from someone who has X amount of time to do it. A body of work with a real dead-line. Nothing beyond that, for sure. But aren't we all dying at some point anyway? I suppose the certainty of tomorrow not coming produces an urgency that most people neglect to acknowledge.
He describes himself as "an artist on his way to work and became a photographer instead." As an artist, we constantly stumble on ideas and life-altering moments that we choose to give meaning to. Days can turn into meaningless years but somehow the yearning to be different forces us to see things beyond what's there. Although, sometimes events from our lives follow a different course, regardless of meticulous planning. It veers away from all expectations and we are surprised with the results of our work. Did I do this? Who is this person who made this? Sometimes it's about timing and luck, and whether it be a happy accident or not, the point is, we've produced something that's ours. It is an unending struggle to discover something new, original, innovative--to go back to the old light of exploring and be aware of every moment that can change us. Sean so aptly describes it, "It took me to places that I didn't know they were there and if I knew they were there, I would never imagine that I would get there."
Besides creativity, he also spoke about authenticity: "Does it look like you got it elsewhere or that you arrived at it?" Authenticity is about "keeping things in the air as long as you can." It is about the energy of the person who is committed to it, a matter of focusing on the task. This is what sets the game, the stage to something completely real. The artist has to believe in her vision for other people to see what she sees. He advised us to begin at the place where we are insecure. I love this photograph. To me, it illustrates how we contain what we want to say, make, and do. The potential lives in us like these words that have transferred their way from my mind to this page. The challenge is to see what is already within us, waiting to be discovered.
"I write to find out what I want to say."-Sean Kernan
Labels:
sean kernan
Productive Day
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
GREG 09: Progressing to 3 Lights: 2 2X2 Profoto softboxes & 1 umbrella
It still follows the concept of lighting the scene/subject with just 1 light (umbrella) and instead of determining the main light first, we began with the Fill light.
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It still follows the concept of lighting the scene/subject with just 1 light (umbrella) and instead of determining the main light first, we began with the Fill light.
Art Historical Reference: Yoshitaka Amano's "Spring"
Thursday, January 21, 2010
"Spring" 1998
The Fairy tale
My rendition.
Amano is a genius. And I absolutely love his work. His women are beautiful, fluid, and just gracefully lonely. His art has a mysterious and sensual quality about them that haunts you, quietly kindling your imagination to greater heights.
It's interesting that I ended up doing this illustration for this assignment because it's entitled "Spring." It's somehow appropriate to how things are going right now. Winter's almost halfway over and I'm graduating soon. There's so much to look forward to and yet no matter how exciting it is, I'm still in "battle mode" trying to prepare for what's inevitable. It's surely a competitive industry out there and right now I'm grateful for this environment surrounded by friends and teachers who have the best intentions.
On that note, this portrait wouldn't have been possible if it weren't for Jessica Ramsey and Rich Lily. The flowers refused to stay taped to my back so Rich had to hold them. For this assignment, we weren't allowed to composite so everything had to be done in camera. I love love love the way it turned out.
Other works: Amano's World:
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The Fairy tale
My rendition.
Amano is a genius. And I absolutely love his work. His women are beautiful, fluid, and just gracefully lonely. His art has a mysterious and sensual quality about them that haunts you, quietly kindling your imagination to greater heights.
It's interesting that I ended up doing this illustration for this assignment because it's entitled "Spring." It's somehow appropriate to how things are going right now. Winter's almost halfway over and I'm graduating soon. There's so much to look forward to and yet no matter how exciting it is, I'm still in "battle mode" trying to prepare for what's inevitable. It's surely a competitive industry out there and right now I'm grateful for this environment surrounded by friends and teachers who have the best intentions.
On that note, this portrait wouldn't have been possible if it weren't for Jessica Ramsey and Rich Lily. The flowers refused to stay taped to my back so Rich had to hold them. For this assignment, we weren't allowed to composite so everything had to be done in camera. I love love love the way it turned out.
Other works: Amano's World:
Thanks Rich. just what I need!
"Come, Lord, act upon us and rouse us up and call us back. Fire us, clutch us, let your sweet fragrance grow upon us!" - Augustine
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2010: Bangs
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
No matter what happens, it boils down to this: I absolutely love what I do.
How many people can actually say this and mean it?
Lighting 101 with Greg: 1 2X2 ft Profoto softbox
Documenting Dakota's newly straightened hair.
Labels:
portraits
Time to be healthy!
Friday, January 08, 2010
Only got 1 life to live, here's to health and finding happiness in the simpler things!
Just passing through.
Monday, January 04, 2010
So, I am back.
after...
2 family reunions
10 San Miguel beers
1 hangover
4 shoots
a round of goodbyes
and
1 funeral.
I left my country filled with grief and I entered this one expecting more sorrow. The new year began with a burial, an end to someone extraordinary. I am not a fan of these final goodbyes. Somehow it seems like part of my heart has been lost and the rest that's survived is slowly hibernating with the current season. Our bodies are only bodies: "Excuse me, just passing through." Life is a journey to the end.
I miss the sun, if only for its warmth, because warmth = happiness in the winter time.
I can barely feel anything right now. Even my current work holds no comfort. Please, someone hold me?
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after...
2 family reunions
10 San Miguel beers
1 hangover
4 shoots
a round of goodbyes
and
1 funeral.
I left my country filled with grief and I entered this one expecting more sorrow. The new year began with a burial, an end to someone extraordinary. I am not a fan of these final goodbyes. Somehow it seems like part of my heart has been lost and the rest that's survived is slowly hibernating with the current season. Our bodies are only bodies: "Excuse me, just passing through." Life is a journey to the end.
I miss the sun, if only for its warmth, because warmth = happiness in the winter time.
I can barely feel anything right now. Even my current work holds no comfort. Please, someone hold me?
Entering 2010
Friday, January 01, 2010
I will make my mark in the humblest of fashions.
Labels:
new year 2010
Grasping for words
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Even at the brink of losing everything, she is a fighter to the core.
Her grip is stronger these days, more desperate. Sometimes she doesn't even need to hold on to some thing. She would just continue to reach out, sometimes finding our hands, clasping tightly. Sometimes more restless, grasping at seemingly empty air. Her arms stretch out, high above her head. What are you volunteering for? Why are you raising your hand?
What do you see in your mind, Grandma? You have been sleeping for a while now. Do you have visions of the past, of your childhood dreams? Regrets have abandoned your bedside. What could have been, had been so you do not have to worry.
Last Sunday might have been my last visit. You opened your eyes at the sound of my voice and I think you might have recognized me, but I cannot be sure. I will believe that you did, though. I will miss you.
Labels:
personal
Signs that we Exist
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Today, I tested out the 100mm, 2.8 Macro lens that I borrowed from school. I found this shriveled up plant half buried in the snow. Using the macro lens, I've made it appear larger and more significant than it actually is.
We try to make our mark. And somehow every day we do, in however small a scale. We survive the usual struggles even if it means facing our fears once in a while, even if it means standing alone. The grass is nowhere to be seen this morning. The snowstorm is over and the cold hasn't gotten to this plant yet. Somehow I feel cruel taking pleasure in these little half-deaths buried in snow and ice. But you see, we aren't any different. Each day it only continues to get colder.
Ah, 'tis the season to survive.
"Cold"
This photo I took reminded me of his work: "Signs that we exist" Nadav Kander
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We try to make our mark. And somehow every day we do, in however small a scale. We survive the usual struggles even if it means facing our fears once in a while, even if it means standing alone. The grass is nowhere to be seen this morning. The snowstorm is over and the cold hasn't gotten to this plant yet. Somehow I feel cruel taking pleasure in these little half-deaths buried in snow and ice. But you see, we aren't any different. Each day it only continues to get colder.
Ah, 'tis the season to survive.
"Cold"
This photo I took reminded me of his work: "Signs that we exist" Nadav Kander
Snowstorm
Saturday, December 19, 2009
We're expecting several feet of snow tonight. I happened to glance out the window and the red sky drew me to take a few shots. The sky's giving more than it should tonight, preparing for the morning's loss of color.
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