Journal Of Thoughts
Tag: journey
Profiling Photographers – Michael Rawle
This is the first in a new series of Photography posts that will appear regularly on this Blog. I have known Michael for approx. 25 years and we first met at Campbelltown Camera Club (now, Macarthur Photographic Society) in Sydney, Australia. A big thanks to Michael for sharing his thoughts and images!
Gear:
Currently favor and use Olympus micro 4/3 mirrorless system (E-M5 & E-M1)
I still however have (and will probably use in future)
2 x Olympus 4/3 DSLRs (E410 & E520), and
3 x Olympus OM system SLRs (OM2n, OM40, OM4)
1. Why did you choose Photography as your medium of communication?
I developed a love of movies from a very early age (my family were all film buffs) and I quickly warmed to the visual language of film in terms of both aesthetics, and in triggering an emotional response and in storytelling. In my late teen’s this translated to a love of a photography and still images and a desire to be able to capture images myself as a form of creative self-expression.
2. Which Photographers have been the greatest influences on you & why?
There are many photographers who impress me with their ability to capture wonderful images, master visual story-telling, and clearly share my sensibilities and world view. Some of these would include:
David Bailey; Max Dupain; Ansel Adams; Robert Capa; David Moore; Lewis Morley; Annie Leibovitz; Henri Cartier-Bresson; Bill Henson; Frank Hurley; Robert Mapplethorpe; William Yang; Harold Cazneaux… etc etc
3. What inspires you to create the type of images that you do?
To create strong images that are aesthetically satisfying, but also make an emotional connection to the viewer and have the ability to tell a story.
4. What do you think makes your style unique?
I don’t know if it is, however as we are all unique as people I like to think I bring my own character, personality, passions and sensibility to my creative endeavors and hopefully this is expressed in my images.
5. Do you have any advice for an aspiring photographer?
Follow your passions, be open to learning and be inspired by others, but above all stay true to yourself
6. What is the next big adventure for you, photographically?
Self-publishing books of my images; and exploring video as an extension to my love of the still image.
To look at more of Michael’s images:
Moving House
Settling back
My feet are so sore
Moving house
Is such a chore!
First the packing
Culling on the way
Wish I could do this
Another day!
Embrace the move
With such clarity
Give things away
To your local charity
The garage sale is
An intriguing beast
As one and all
Come to feast
Searching for a bargain
Haggling a price
It can be such a tiresome
Exercise
The day of moving
Comes too quick
It seems you can’t
Just take a trick
Furniture and boxes
Everywhere
Your helpers take
So much care
When the moving is over
You look around
Surrounded by boxes
You feel so bound
As the stress subsides
You start to see
Moving house
Helps you to be free
Free of the things
That have cluttered your life
It’s another chance
To set things right
Less is more
We often hear
Moving house
Lets you clear
Ready to move on
With your Life’s journey
Time to act on
Your great yearnings!
Written by David Johnson
14 November 2015
© CommunicatingCreatively/David Johnson 2015
The Beauty Of Life
The beauty of life
Comes from within
Programmed by the Universe
Just waiting to begin
Without any coaching
It’s direction is clear
To exist in the world
And provide that good cheer
Growing into its life
Bearing fruit to one and all
Shining in the Sun
Thirsting in rain’s fall
When it’s fruit is all given
The process begins anew
Sharing it’s life
A chance to renew
Written by David Johnson
10 October 2015
© CommunicatingCreatively/David Johnson 2015
‘Morning Pages’
Morning Pages
Are a treat
A chance for you
To press ‘delete’
Stream of consciousness
Is the goal
Writing from within
The deepest of Souls
Clearing the mind
Is what it achieves
Wearing your Heart
On it’s sleeve
At the conclusion
Pen and paper retired
Your brain is now
So unwired
Free to create
Without the clutter
Creative thoughts now
You can utter
Written by David Johnson
12 September 2015
© CommunicatingCreatively/David Johnson 2015
With thanks to Julia Cameron for your inspiration!
Find out more at: http://juliacameronlive.com/basic-tools/morning-pages/
Inspirations – Photography: Duane Michals b.1932
Duane Michal’s Art has, throughout his photographic life been met with controversy as he has a non-conformist view of photography.
“The Joy Of Photography Volume 2” indicates that his chief inspiration was Surrealism. The Surrealistic Painters, he said, ‘always contradict people’s assumptions, whilst photographers never do.’
Duane Michals often attempted to ‘play with people’s minds’ in his Art rather than ‘record’ a scene, whether it be shooting standalone images or shooting a series of images on a theme.
He said the magic was ‘seeing people in different ways.’
He preferred Environmental Portraiture and worked in Black & White with existing light and compared his photography with the writing of fiction. He often placed a familiar subject (or object) in unfamiliar territory or in an unfamiliar way or context.
One of my favourite photographic quotes is attributed to him….
“Trust that little voice in your head that says, ‘wouldn’t it be interesting if….’ and then do it.” – Duane Michals.
I first came across the above quote in 1982 (when my own serious photographic journey began).
Duane Michals inspires me in ‘how I think about photography.’ As I am shooting that quote springs to mind every time and I encourage every photographer to do the same.
I’ve included the following link so that you can view some of his images.
http://duanemichals.tumblr.com
Into The Distance
Into the distance
Our mind forecasts
Better things
Than in times past
Working hard
Change the tune
Thinking smart
Toward that fortune
Restless Spirit
Needs reassuring
Imagination
Quite alluring
Focus required
Plans in place
Steady as she goes
Still in the race!
Written by David Johnson
© CommunicatingCreatively/David Johnson 2015
Remnants Of Life
Riding along the highway
Desert clouds loom
Out from the horizon
Hear the thunder boom!
Rain, it falls
Like sheets of glass
Tearing across
Long dried out grass
Ghostly calls are heard
Long borne in strife
Clamouring for attention
Mere remnants of life
Rising from the Earth
Those next in line
Continue their journey
An infinite paradigm…
Written by David Johnson
© CommunicatingCreatively/David Johnson 2015
A Path, A Way
Emotional Furnace
Sitting on the porch
Strumming that guitar
Writing about their history
They’ve come so far
From early beginnings
Throughout their youth
Within their songs
They reach for the truth
Hardship, working life
Make up the verses
All the while
In an emotional furnace
Journey’s been hard
Will to win stubborn
Going through their lives
Always been governed
Seeking redemption
Wanting to be free
Listen to their story
To the future, they foresee…
Written by David Johnson
© CommunicatingCreatively/David Johnson 2015
Communicating Creatively 