LENSCRATCH, the Desert and Irony
You just have to love Irony.
Yesterday my interview with Aline Smithson of LENSCRATCH was published and on the same day I created this image in Joshua Tree.
To understand the irony, read the interview and please do not say “this reminds me of an Ansel Adams photograph!”
http://www.lenscratch.com/2012/01/success-stories-cole-thompson.html
I’m still wandering in the desert and having a wonderful time with no cell or internet service. It’s been a great time of reflection and seeking out creativity, and I’m coming home with a real smorgasbord of images.
Back to seeing!
Cole
January 24th, 2012 at 1:04 pm
“Wandering”? Or “wondering”? Or both?
January 24th, 2012 at 8:00 pm
Yep!Just read your Lenscratch and then this. It looks nothing like Ansel Adams!
January 25th, 2012 at 8:25 am
Looking forward to DV images.
January 25th, 2012 at 8:39 am
I would say that the photo above totally reminds me of a Cole Thompson photograph. Thanks for the teaser above Cole, glad you are creating…
Benoit
January 25th, 2012 at 9:14 am
I have to agree with Benoit. Anyone who says otherwise probably needs their eyes checked!
January 25th, 2012 at 10:06 am
I always seem to get a “take-away” from your comments, Cole. This time, it was the challenge of developing one’s own vision, particularly in the genre of long exposure work.
The clouds, the water, the piers, bridges, buildings of the world are all there for everyone to see, photograph, and adjust tonality in post.
So, I am asking myself, how do I do long exposure work without looking like a wannabe of anyone, and without doing stuff just to be different or to attract attention?
The best answer I have found so far is contained in that Weston quote I sent you: photograph what attracts you, try to make the commonplace unusual, but without resorting to trickery.
If Weston could create art from a pepper, and you can create art from a light fixture, I think the answer to the riddle of finding your own vision is most likely buried within those images. To me, it’s one of the biggest challenges of photography, but endlessly stimulating.
Cole, do a workshop called “How Not To Be Like Me. Not Recommended For Wannabes”
January 25th, 2012 at 10:45 am
Sam, that was a great quote, a keeper for me! I have always loved Weston’s attitude and so it really resonated with me.
I have done a workshop like that, but just didn’t call it that. It was called “Finding your own vision.”
It is hard to be original, but at a minimum we can be unique. This journey led me to that whole controversial idea of Photographic Celibacy!
January 25th, 2012 at 10:46 am
Benoit, that was a classic comment, thank you!
January 25th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
Always the master of tone… and no I won’t compare you to Ansel Adams. Keep up the great work. I also love reading your post.
January 27th, 2012 at 4:21 pm
Little ironies like this make life rich and interesting. Thanks for sharing the interview – plenty for us to reflect upon!
January 30th, 2012 at 7:42 pm
Great interview Cole. I really enjoyed reading it.
February 1st, 2012 at 2:10 pm
That photograph primarily reminds me of how often I chase concepts instead of being open to let the world touch me. There’s something intense, way beyond conceptual strength that comes from many of your shots. This is very inspiring. Thank you!
cheers
Roland
February 11th, 2012 at 9:23 am
Cole, I receved your newsletter and I immeadetely looked at your picture. Wonderful, great work. I like them very much.
kind regards
Femke