Choosing today´s photo reminded me of something. It reminded of how frustrating and elusive the creative process can be. I took over a dozen photos like this one yesterday morning of Seb swimming in the pool. I was sure they would be wonderful pictures and I was very excited while shooting them. The light was lovely and he was swimmming underwater arms spread like a crucified saint. Sometimes you know when you've made magic. Sometimes not. When I uploaded the photos this morning there wasn´t one picture that stood out to me. They were all a terrible disappointment-- the lighting, Seb´s reactions, the empty spaces, the flat gray tones. I wanted to cancel my day´s upload for the 30 days, or worse still cheat and dig into the day before´s batch.
It´s funny how the results of our creativity can often be a disappointment. The process can be wonderful and then when we are studying the results we fall flat on our face. Our heart sinks a little. Where was that elusive thing --that thing we had a hold of during creation but lost somewhere in the final minutes? Where did it go? I had forgotten about that phenomenon. It happens to all of us from time to time. In 30 days how many times will it happen to me? I´m sure it will happen a lot.
Of course sometimes there is the reverse phenomenon. The thing you thought was a disappointment is a masterpiece. Everyone praises it. It took no effort and you had no idea how special it was when you were making it. You are pleasingly shocked. You grapple for the reason, reviewing the steps in your head. What was it that you did and how do you do it again?
These are life lessons too I guess. Sometimes even if you think you know, you just don't know what your hard work will bring to a circumstance. Sometimes you need perspective, a little stepping back and some outside opinions to see what's real.
2 comments:
Those are very good observations, Chris. It happens to me too. I was actually, while pouring my coffee this morning, thinking about the same thing (well almost). I have had many a similar belly flop moment. I think of it like balancing on a tight wire with technical issues on one side and creativity on the other. When I can't capture that deliriously beautiful moment, usually what I do is turn it into a challenge. I think that the happy feeling that you're capturing something great is an elusive animal and you should cherish it. You felt this way because you were stretching your creative wings. It was more than the image but the meaning. The best thing about this rude awakening is that you can turn it into a challenge to learn. Sometimes I see things that just make my whole spirit vibrate. At just about that moment, I remember the times a photo under similar conditions didn't work, and I remember what I learned from it the last time. Find out why!
It is a tightrope. The technology part is probably for the most part my little camera --a point and shoot, and I´m trying to get it to capture what my eye sees when it sees it which is far beyond its capabilities. And then yes there is the frustration of framing and all that. I´m having similar issues in sewing and embroidery--having a vision and trying to get my skills to match my vision, but it´s all part of the learning process!
The important part I keep stressing to myself is don´t give up and have fun with it. I remind myself of that each time a project doesn´t work out. It's the process that counts and what is important is to flex the creative muscle as often as possible.
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