Tags
aging, beauty, Diane Arbus, Dorothea Lange, Otto von Muenchow, Paul Strand, photo workshops, photographic voice, photography, Steve McCurry
I hate to admit defeat. My energy and robust health shield me from age. But I’ve had to reconcile the numbers involved in birthdays stacked on top of each other. Contrary to the grumbling of my compatriots, my body doesn’t ache, my bones don’t grind, I recover from injuries quickly. I count each new day of good health with reverence and gratitude. But numbers stare me in the face and foreshorten time.
There are too many obituaries of people much younger than I. Think of all the things they didn’t have time to accomplish—the missed dreams and opportunities, the lost potential. Did she get to hold her grandchildren? Did he get to drive that car he lusted for all his life? What unexplored adventures lay in the path of this person’s aborted future?
There are so many things to do. It is time to get realistic and winnow out pie-in-the-sky dreams. I have pretty much abandoned my dream of kayaking down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River—Idaho’s premier Wild and Scenic River in the heart of the Frank Church Wilderness Area. Whitewater is unforgiving and my fear of H2O gets the best of me. Despite many efforts and much coaching, I can’t reliably stay in my boat through tame class III rapids. It would be reckless to throw myself at the mercy of a pack of boaters who would feel responsible for my safety in class V and VI rapids on the Middle Fork. There isn’t enough time left for me to fight my phobias and develop the skills necessary to kayak this magnificent river. That’s a goal that needs to go.
But I might yet be able to master my camera, to create the images that I see in my mind. Towards that goal, I enrolled in Otto von Münchow’s online photography workshop, Finding Your Photographic Voice. It is fascinating and well worth the reasonable price. My point-and-pray images already reflect improvement. Finding my voice requires deep mental mining—hard-rock mining, in my case. A theme is emerging. Much like white water, a phobia of being the subject of the lens gets in the way of portraiture that I admire—images that stare back without guile like those of Dorothea Lange, Diane Arbus, Paul Strand, and Steve McCurry. While I grapple with the idea of capturing someone’s soul through the lens, I will practice on inanimate objects, searching for beauty in the process of aging and decay. Of course it is pleasing to gaze upon smooth skin, skillfully enhanced eyes, and gorgeously clad bodies. But just as the lovely lines and textures of modern architecture lack character, so does the beauty of youth and haute couture. From creation forward, everything is slowly slipping toward decay. The process of aging is unique to each individual and endlessly fascinating. So I’m turning my camera towards the things which people have created, used, handled, and coveted.
Below are some of my efforts to find my photographic voice.
Linda
You are so articulate and I loved your article and photos….you are basking in such wonderful writing skills and insights. Way cool. Keep it up.
Your buddy
Rich
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Coming from you, that means a lot! Thanks a million.
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Reblogged this on Karma's little spanker.
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It’s never too late to push the reset button.
And I really like your photographic voice. What a nice idea to go out or better said go within yourself and find it.
Have a beautiful day! 🙂
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Thanks so much! I admire your photographic work also, especially your food shots. You could to commercial food photography, I’m sure.
Best to you.
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Thanks for your kind words. 🙂
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Being a bit frayed at the cuffs myself, I love your images of rust and decay. There’s little I like better than photographing the ancient parts of towns and cities. Living in Andalucia is a real treat for that.
But then I laways preferred the old over the new even when I was young. It’s not to say I hate modern steel, glass and concrete constructions, I can marvel at the lines of the best, but I wouldn’t want to live in one. Unfortunately, at this moment in time, I do.
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It’s funny, Bryan, as a kid I detested old stuff. My mom’s house was a cluttered trap filled with heavy, dark antique furniture–the stuff of Grimm’s fairy tales. I have always gravitated toward Danish modern and enjoy the fact that newish homes need less upkeep and repair than the old grand daddies. My attraction to aging and weathered things is an evolution for me. Weird, eh?
I bet Adalucia is beautiful. Of course, anywhere can be beautiful if we open our eyes and our hearts.
Thanks for dropping in.
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Linda, you have a keen eye. I love the latched iron gate for some reason. It is crisp and makes you wonder what is locked inside. Keep on being adventurous. What is the year’s Iceland, e.g.? All the best, BTG
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Thanks BTG. This year’s Iceland? I don’t have any big adventures planned this year. Just a couple of smaller regional ones. New Mexico is coming up. A trip through northern Wyoming & into Glacier in the fall.There’s beauty everywhere and I can make up adventure along the way. 😉
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You are honoring your later years, you are enriching your life and infusing it with life and passion. What could be better than pursuing a beloved avocation, unfettered by youth? I love your work, Linda. I’m curious, has Erich inspired or taught you some?
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Thanks SDS. You ask a great question. Actually, I had a camera when I met Erich. I put it in the attic. I felt like a kid finger painting in the room with Rembrandt. I did pick up a few things from him, I’m sure. And he’s always on my mind when I look through a view finder. But he was just miles ahead of me in the basics. A camera is mechanical…my brain is not all that mechanical. 🙂
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Glad for you, but I fear I am not so lucky.
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Sorry to hear that. Believe me, I know how incredibly lucky I have been. So far.
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Heard a fun quote the other day”: “50 may be the new 70, but Alive is not the new Dead”. lol Each day is a gift and so many people drift through lives without realizing that: without waking and marvelling at the magic around us.
Some pretty marvellous photos there. Unlike some others, you are not sleep-walking through life. Keep on SEEING the world as you.
Breathe deeply and enjoy today !
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I hope to, Sybil. Life is pretty amazing.
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Linda, as always your photos are a real treasure! I love the old house…what stories it could tell! and the old weathered wagon wheel with a crown of gold!
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Praise from a real artist always makes my heart sing. Thanks, Glenda!
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Wow,, you are getting good ….I am feeling better . Want to do lunch at the India place before it gets hot.? Tuesday I have a dog appt. anytime is ok…and where I don’t care. Suggestions??? Kd
Sent from my iPad
>
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You know I love your photography. I adore the black-and-white pictures that don’t rely on colour but need a keen eye for contrast to tell their stories.
But what I admire most about this post is your writing. The insight, the world view of a realist who doesn’t despair in the eye of the looming end, the impending missed chances, but instead seizes the day, weeds out unrealistic dreams and gets on with the rest of them. All the while cherishing her blessings. Just wow!
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Oh Sandra, you make my heart sing! (Oh, isn’t that a song? You’re probably too young to remember…;-) Really, your kind words and thoughtful responses keep me coming back for more. I would love to meet you some day.
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It would be all my pleasure. Well, I have never been to your neck of the woods, and your descriptions of Boise and the region always make me curious for more. So maybe one day… 🙂
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When the kiddos are old enough for some adventure…you’ve got 2 rooms & a bath! 😉
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Great idea, Linda. There’s so much beauty in endurance, as well as in a well-lived life that is near its end. But your photography is already a lot farther along than you give yourself credit for — which means you’re going to get even better.
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You’re a very kind man, Charles. Thanks.
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Point-and-pray huh? Mostly I would point-and-hope (given that I haven’t exactly been prayerful lately). I think the pictures are excellent. I also think some things (and people) get better with time.
Cheers,
Nel
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Too funny! Well, truth be known, it’s more hope than prayer in my case too. I’ve no one to pray to. I hope I’ve improved with age, but I’ve still got lots of sharp edges to pare down. ;-}
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I love your pictures, Linda. They do tell a story all by themselves. Otto is such a talented photographer. I’d love to take his online workshop and will when I get the free time. He has a gentle way of teaching, I think.
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Thanks, Renee. Yes, Otto is fabulous. I have made enormous strides in this 8 week workshop. He has gently pushed us out of our comfort zones, has been very helpful in long-distance technical trouble shooting, and I have stopped being afraid of my camera!
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Aah, another wheel..! Beautiful, beautiful shots. Sepia, B&W, colors, – they are perfect. Loved them.
And great post. 🙂
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Thanks bunches, Nandini.
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I’M VERY LATE IN COMING TO THIS ONE BUT AM VERY IMPRESSED WITH WHAT YOU ARE DOING . . . AND HOW. ALL THE COMMENTS I’VE READ ARE ECHOING THIS. EXCITING . . .
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Thanks Bob. It feels good to have something I can take a little pride in. The workshop was enormously helpful.
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I love what your images show you are learning–keep it up!
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Thanks for your encouragement, jjane!
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Pingback: Beautiful Decay | In Flow
I very much enjoy seeing work like this.
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Thanks so much! That means a lot coming from you. I just visited your site and am eager to explore it more thoroughly.
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I came here via Otto’s blog and I find that I am drawn to the wagon wheel and the chimney, especially the angle in which the photo is taken.
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Thanks so much for dropping by and leaving feedback. I’m really happy with the wagon wheel. I wasn’t too sure about the chimney, so your comment makes me smile.
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Exquisite photos, Linda. I think we may be about the same age, and I’m inspired by your letting go of goals that are no longer going to come to fruition, to see that and simply let go to focus on things that will bring you happiness. Focusing on the positive is a wonderful quality. Your photography is wonderful.
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Thanks Angeline. I figured you as much younger than I. It must be your young spirit. 😉 I’m probably lucky that I’ve never been horribly goal oriented…or maybe it’s just that I have too many goals to choose from, so letting a few slide through the cracks is no loss.
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Otto brought me over here now; I think you are an excellent storyteller with your camera!
Greetings from the North
Dina
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Oh thanks so much Dina. Otto’s a good one to frame my story for me. He has really helped me rein in my focus. Thanks for dropping by.
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During, and after, Otto’s course I tried to find your blog….well, now I know where you are thanks to Otto’s latest post! I am a great one for beauty in decay, so your project ‘spoke’ to me…
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Thanks Sue. I really admired your work during the workshop. It’s nice to be able to keep in touch.
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Hallo Linda, I really want to say that I love your pictures and your Photographic Voice. Your pictures save the beauty from old days for the future in an aesthaetic way.
Best Regards
Monica
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Hi Monica! Wasn’t Otto’s workshop fun? I really looked forward to seeing your images each week. I particularly enjoyed your images of playground equipment. The color was so vibrant and the object share both a graphic and utilitarian quality. Thanks so much for stopping by and dropping a line.
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Your words ring true to me and your images are full of character and emotion…something I’ve lacked but have been striving for in my own photography. Now thinking I should take Otto’s course!
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Soonie, based upon what I see on your website, I think you have a pretty strong photographic (and verbal) vision already. But what I found terrifically intriguing about Otto’s workshop was the way in which he provided gentle direction to improve upon students’ work that I already considered unbeatable. Now I’m trying to figure out how to work up to a face-to-face workshop experience with him. Thanks for dropping by and stopping long enough to comment. Greatly appreciated.
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Pingback: Beautiful Decay | Blue Hour Photo Workshops
Thank you Otto for a second shot.
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ah, yes; it’s like stepping back in time.. or stepping into the scene via your images.
as i mentioned to otto, i now live where it seems i’ve stepped back in time, and through your images, we’re able to do that as well. you are definitely finding your photographic voice!
z
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Thank you dear Z. I’ve had a great mentor in Otto.
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Yes, he is so unselfish, and he is a natural teacher.
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Your photographic voice is powerful 7 memorable. Beautiful compositions. 😉
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Thank you for the kind words.
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