|
Dear ,
In Session 2 of the current Through and from the Lens Point and Shoot Photo Course, I introduced the concept of Creative DNA and referenced my discussion to issues of Picture to Ponder five years ago.
When participant Deb Mallett commented on then-featured photo and imagery she had difficulty finding, I decided the article and photo were worth revisiting.
Thus Today's Photo - (See below for a description of the imagery which I saw at that time.)
An unidentified tropical flower from a local nursery
In 2005, I wrote: As I prepare the curriculum for the upcoming teleclasses, I've
been reading THE CREATIVE HABIT: LEARN IT
AND USE IT FOR LIFE by Twyla Tharp, dancer/choreographer.
In it she speaks of "Creative DNA" which
we may think of as our "creative hard-wiring
or personality."
She goes on to say, "When I apply a critic's
temperament to myself, to see if I'm being true
to my DNA, I often think in terms of focal length,
like that of a camera lens.
All of us find comfort
in seeing the world either from a great distance,
at arm's length, or in close-up. We don't consciously
make that choice. Our DNA does, and we generally
don't waver from it. Rare is the painter who is
equally adept at miniatures and epic series, or
the writer who is at home in both historical sagas
and finely observed short stories."
After reading this I had a "flash." People
have been asking me how I see and take photos the
way I do. In attempting to find answers, I'm noticing
that the pictures subscribers seem to be most responsive
to are those where I've zoomed in and on some where
I've gotten even closer by cropping.
My creative DNA IS that close-up focus. So I became
"true to my DNA", pulled up the picture
and cropped it. I'm thinking you get the strongest response to my work when I am being "truest"
to myself.
The long view of the above photo which I cropped
Puzzling Imagery -
In 2005, I stated wrote: "I see
a woman [top photo] with her head at a 3/4 angle toward the
right cradled and protected by the petals, one of
which caps her head. There is also a bulging-eyed,
pink frog on the left protecting her, where her
knees would be. I could continue with the some of
the other petals and didn't. I suspect that some
of you will now probably start seeing images also."
In response to this Deb Mallett wrote:
"It took me a long time to see the woman's face and the bulging-eyed, pink frog in that flower, but I stared and stared and all of a sudden they both were there. And it's not an abstract woman's face, it's actually quite realistic. Now that I've seen it, I can't understand how I didn't see it before."
Now, five years later, I immediately see the frog and have yet to see the "realistic woman's face." I've marked the "frog" in the photo on FlickR (scroll over the PICTURE there and a box will pop up) and may or may not have identified the woman by the time you click on the picture link.
Self-Reflecting Queries -
I invite you to become aware of your creative DNA.
As a pattern, are you looking at the world, people,
situations, "from a great distance, at arm's
length, or in close-up?"
If you find yourself
in challenging situations, are you in the true mode
for you? If not, would shifting it make a difference
to you and to the people with whom you are interacting?
Does it help to be aware that a person with whom you are attempting communication may have a different creative DNA when viewing projects?
Also, in relation to looking for the "face" and the "frog", if you "played" the game and could not find one or both of the images, how did you handle your possible frustrations?
My first inclination is to attempt to figure it out myself and then walk away if I can't find the answer. Ultimately, I might ask for help and I am getting better at it. What about you?
Lastly, if you've read all of the above, are pondering
it and, then, find that what I've related has some
impact for you, I'd appreciate your sharing that on the blog [February 11\ post]. It doesn't have to be the "what" or
the "why." Simply knowing a difference has
been made would be helpful and sufficient for me.
Thank you.
As always, have fun with this.
Programs I recommend for:
Authors - Published or Inspired to be ones -
My friend, author of GARDEN OF THE SOUL, is launching a new program with an exciting FR*EE Grand Opening Event coming Feb 22-26. She is hosting 5 days of webcasts with 17 other leading names in the exciting world of mind-body-spirit writing and publishing.
Lynn is presenting an exciting NEW concept on the Internet, combining coaching, learning, community and business-building in a creative, spirit-based environment.
If you're an experienced author, a brand new author, or someone who is dreaming of writing an inspirational book some day, you'll want to register for this fr*ee event.
Developing an Internet Business, including use of Social Media, plus much more:
It looks like it's still possible to purchase the recordings and PDFs from the past three Niche Affiliate Marketing Systems conferences, 3 full days of instruction [33 workshops, plus keynote addresses] - for the incredible investment of only $97 total. I invested in travel, hotel, and twice that amount to be in live sessions for both NAMS 2 and 3. Definitely worth it!
If it fits for you, see NAMS for details and to purchase the full series at this incredible value.
Reader's Comments are welcome.
To post them on the Photography and Transformation blog click on the small word "Comment" at the end of the post. A window will open, asking for your name, email address that will NOT be published, a URL if you have - Your name will be linked to that - and a box with space for you to "Leave a Reply" will be there to type in your response. Then remember to click on "Submit."
If posting on a blog is not your style, please continue to send your comments directly to me. Learning what you are experiencing means a lot. It is part of the reward, for me, of publishing Picture to Ponder.
Additional Subscribers Desired
If you are enjoying Picture to Ponder, please forward this issue or another and share
your experiences of it with your friends and colleagues.
Suggest that they, too, SUBSCRIBE. Special thanks to those of you who have been speaking about the difference Picture to Ponder makes for you. |
Guests - If this issue has been passed on to you by a friend, we invite you also to take advantage of a no-cost subscription. Simply click on SUBSCRIBE. You can learn more about Picture to Ponder on our INTRO page.
| IMPORTANT: If today's photos inspire writing or anything else that has you share it and the photos, please be certain to credit the source, including the URL of this issue, http://www.eteletours.com/v6-issue5.html |
| DISCLOSURE:From time to time, in Picture to Ponder, I include information on products and programs for which I may derive a small commission. This is what helps defray my publishing costs. I will only promote products and services of people with whom I'm familiar and in whose programs I've participated. |
Inspirationally,
Sheila
sheila[a]picturetoponder.com
--
© 2005-09 Sheila Finkelstein
http://www.sheilafinkelstein.com - portal to it all
http://twitter.com/InspiredSheila
http://www.facebook.com/people/Sheila-Finkelstein/563467267
http://www.cafepress.com/natureart - gift shop
|
