As you consider your options for your “collection," here is my best advice for the “artistic process”…
“While some people hesitate because they feel inferior, others are busy making mistakes and becoming superior.” _ Henry C. Link
“While some people hesitate because they feel inferior, others are busy making mistakes and becoming superior.” _ Henry C. Link
Brainstorming for your Collection |
Make yourself a Photographer/Artist’s Journal...
Start with brainstorming… answer the following questions to help give yourself some direction. In its simplest definition a collection can be considered just a grouping of “exhibited works of a single artist [which usually follows some type of theme],” but in the end, for the artists themselves, it will become much more than that; so let it grow, be open to happy accidents and enjoy the visual stories and personal expression of ideas as you create something that will truly be superior.
~~`1. List three of your strengths as a photographer/artist.
2. List three things you feel are a weakness to you as an artist or photographer. You may NOT say: “I am not creative.” Creativity is just observation and the
ability to play around with what you know and being willing to make mistakes; we all have that potential.
3. What are some topics you are interested in? Consider how you could represent each of those interests visually.
4. Are there any types of imagery that you seem to gravitate to as an artist or as a viewer?
5. Consider the topics you listed more carefully by asking yourself if you could link any of them to put your own “spin or story” to your imagery?
6. When thinking about HOW you shoot, do you notice that you shoot in any particular way compositionally? (This is what I would consider your shooting
style.)
7. List some ways that you could CHANGE your “shooting style” or format to match your imagery, theme or the concept you want to convey so that the
images you create are more dynamic and personalized?
8. Think about how you like it work this semester...are you straight forward and “clean”, do you like to work with your hands 3-dimensionally or texturally,
are you interested in trying something new/experimenting?
9. As an artist it is sometimes hard to keep your ideas “fresh,” list some things you do to rejuvenate yourself creatively...think about it honestly in relation to
the topics you have chosen for yourself. Ask yourself, honestly, if it will keep your interest for 16 weeks.
10. Is there some physical thing, image, or idea that you have had in the past that you could use in your art? You may not even be fully aware of its
potential...your subconscious might be holding that answer; so think about it.
Start with brainstorming… answer the following questions to help give yourself some direction. In its simplest definition a collection can be considered just a grouping of “exhibited works of a single artist [which usually follows some type of theme],” but in the end, for the artists themselves, it will become much more than that; so let it grow, be open to happy accidents and enjoy the visual stories and personal expression of ideas as you create something that will truly be superior.
~~`1. List three of your strengths as a photographer/artist.
2. List three things you feel are a weakness to you as an artist or photographer. You may NOT say: “I am not creative.” Creativity is just observation and the
ability to play around with what you know and being willing to make mistakes; we all have that potential.
3. What are some topics you are interested in? Consider how you could represent each of those interests visually.
4. Are there any types of imagery that you seem to gravitate to as an artist or as a viewer?
5. Consider the topics you listed more carefully by asking yourself if you could link any of them to put your own “spin or story” to your imagery?
6. When thinking about HOW you shoot, do you notice that you shoot in any particular way compositionally? (This is what I would consider your shooting
style.)
7. List some ways that you could CHANGE your “shooting style” or format to match your imagery, theme or the concept you want to convey so that the
images you create are more dynamic and personalized?
8. Think about how you like it work this semester...are you straight forward and “clean”, do you like to work with your hands 3-dimensionally or texturally,
are you interested in trying something new/experimenting?
9. As an artist it is sometimes hard to keep your ideas “fresh,” list some things you do to rejuvenate yourself creatively...think about it honestly in relation to
the topics you have chosen for yourself. Ask yourself, honestly, if it will keep your interest for 16 weeks.
10. Is there some physical thing, image, or idea that you have had in the past that you could use in your art? You may not even be fully aware of its
potential...your subconscious might be holding that answer; so think about it.
Don’t worry about making mistakes at this point. If you don’t take risks you will never become original in your thinking.