education
In preparation for writing this reflection, I took some time to reflect on what this course has meant to me as an instructor. In short and technically, the course was truly not much different than most other courses. That simply being: complete assignments to earn credit.
Since each of my students was asked to cover the same event, I requested one thing from each of them from the start of the semester… to just share their story.
Read MoreCreating a powerful and impactful story or image no longer requires that the photojournalist carry a bag of expensive cameras, lenses, and tripods. Capturing and sharing creative, personal, and engaging stories has changed with the technology of today.
Read MoreThat time of the year is here again. And with it, I look forward to seeing those I love in the next week. I'm counting on those days being filled with plenty of soul filling goodness: puppy kisses and wagging tails, teary eyed laughter, reading, studying, loads of fab music backed by a tad more groovy tunes, and a dinner and movie date (heck.... maybe even two). It's Christmastime.
Read MoreI shared a classroom with more than 100 creatives this semester. We debated, laughed, conversed, and more than a few times confronted our personal comfort zones. They were challenged, inventive, and at times hesitant to share their authentic voice. But when they did, it made the difference.
Read MoreOpportunities present themselves and provide growth. Growth is knowledge, experience, self-discovery, and eye, heart, and mind opening. Occasionally that opportunity thing requires a late night or two, maybe even three… and often those extended evenings begin as a before the sunrise morning start.
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Draw the Line
As I prepare to dive deep into my second thesis in three years, I find that time is even more valuable than it ever has been. I suppose there's a possibility that all of this time stuff is nothing more than middle-aged fodder. Regardless, it still grabs my attention... especially when I glance at my watch.
Tick tock.
Without creating an exhaustive list of spectacular days, loving people, fab experiences, life rich opportunities, or unforgettable moments, I'll just say that each of those from my path in 2012 certainly left a personal creative mark on my soul. I spend far more days with a camera or two at my side than not, if for no other reason than to document where I've been. Those days are important because they also share with me where I need to go. Over the past 365 days, I captured thousands and thousands of images. Most were ordinary places, regular people, and all perfectly real life.
Two years ago today I began this blog specifically as a one year commitment for daily photo postings. Doing so forced me to be creative and strengthened my skills with my tools, but far more important, it taught me to open my eyes.
As I turn the corner on the New Year, I'm committing myself once again to at least one photo-a-day posting. These posts will assist me as I prepare my Graduate School thesis concentrating on innovative and experimental processes in film, instant, and digital photographic mediums.
13 is a lucky, ya’ll. Follow along.
Well into the chapters of my 50's, I welcomed the challenges that came with my continued life-learning path and enrollment into another Graduate program. Crossing those flashing broad yellow lines of Business and Engineering have certainly intrigued, and sometimes bewildered, my left brain's creative soul. I brought to our multi-disciplinary cohort however, those things that are inherently me. What else would I bring?
Turning the corner on December and now into the final days of my first full time semester in years, while also working full time, I'm spending plenty of hours listening to classical music while preparing for each of my final presentations. Without question, I'm also mentally preparing for that upcoming post semester block of "me" time. Before diving into those days of vinyl records, classic cinema, studios filled with cameras, easels, and restoring another 1975 Polaroid SX-70, I have a few tasks to complete first.
My world saving calendar will be extremely busy over the next 10 days. I'll be the guy resurrecting and saving a 140 plus year old brand with my $10 million marketing and advertising plan. Once that fire's put out, I'll spend the following day unraveling and correcting worldwide water filtration issues, while at the same time reversing global utrification concerns. Day three of my world saving agenda will commence after a nap of three or four hours. Then with my travel mug filled with a microwaved serving of day old coffee and a diagonally cut peanut butter sandwich, I’ll remedy aging at home problems while juggling a world class and masterful biomimicry solution, complete with hand crafted sock puppets and cardboard props.
Welcome Business and Engineering folk, you've now entered my world, one with an endless supply of dull blunt scissors, masking tape, and ripe imagination. Wipe your feet, buckle up, and keep all arms inside the car. You're now in the Creative Zone.