Tag: thoughts

There Are No ’36 Megapixel Brushes….’

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting, Photography

A long, long time ago (when Photography was first invented) Painters were worried that this new Art would kill them off. Why would anyone need to paint when you could just take a photo?

Of course this proved to be a fallacy. The Art of Painting grew.

Fast-forward to the 21st Century, where Digital technology has seen the most wondrous advances in photo production (the Megapixel race continues), where image manipulation software turns photos into Watercolour, Oil, Sketches and thousands of other effects are possible in a myriad of combinations.

Is there a threat to the Art of Painting now?

No.

Just like in Photography, Painting requires technical skill however (all things being equal) our individual imagination, ideas and expressive ability are what set us all apart.

In Photography it has never been easier to obtain a ‘technically competent image’ with all the technological advances that have been made. Technology however has not yet been able to replace our imagination. Photographers continue to express their ideas in new and interesting ways, based on their individuality, their environment and the influences present in their lives.

In Painting, whilst there are different grade brushes, paint and canvas options, there are no ’36 Megapixel brushes’ to give the Artist a technically-competent painting. The Painter must continue to endeavour to master the techniques and then introduce their imagination and ideas and be able to express them.

As a Photographer of 33 years and (at this point) a casual Painter of 3 years, the challenge is ahead to endeavour to master the technical aspects of painting so that I may then use my imagination to express my ideas to their fullest.

It is a challenge I am really looking forward to!

Written by David Johnson
6 September 2015

When The Student Is Ready…

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Books, Stories From Life

We’ve probably all heard that quote, ‘When the student is ready, the teacher will appear…’

Over the years (being the Library addict I am) I sought out different books on the subject of Writing, as I kept thinking that I would like to write someday. Time always seemed the enemy, though perhaps it was not high enough on my priority-list… Photography was still my main interest at that time and, in terms of interests, not much else got a look-in.

I purchased the book ‘The Tao Of Writing’ back when I was working in the City of Sydney in 2008. I had a Coffee Table book 20150815-IMG_2510-1called ‘The Tao Of Photography’ which I liked and I thought it would be interesting to read how The Tao applied to Writing.

Commencing the book I found that it ‘did not resonate with me.’ The words were just words on a page that could not seem to hold my interest. It remained in my bookshelves. A couple of years later I tried again. Same result, yet I held onto the book through moving house/book culls.

In 2013 I ventured into my first two Blogs, ‘Light Inspired’ (Photography) & ‘Observations & Other Writings’ (mainly Poetry with a few articles) and over the past two years I have enjoyed writing for both of them.

In May this year whilst scanning my bookshelves, there it was…‘The Tao Of Writing.’

It stared at me and I stared at it. I picked it out and started to read and it began to speak to me in ways that I could not imagine.

It has inspired me to:

  • start to formulate and idea for a reference book. I have the outlines for 2 chapters done
  • progress on my idea of a Short Story book project. I have the outlines of 4 stories
  • think about the way I communicate in various forms
  • develop this new blog, combining my interests

Was this the same book? Indeed it was and I enjoyed each and every page that I read, and the exercises at the end of each Chapter.

Why the difference? I guess I was not ‘ready’ to see and begin to absorb what Ralph L. Wahlstrom had to teach me.

I class myself as a ‘beginner’ in the writing world and have much to learn!

I’m really looking forward to attempting the 70 exercises in the back of the book, and I know I will be revisiting the book time and time again.

Something told me years ago ‘to hang onto that book.’ I’m very glad I did!

Written by David Johnson