Oh how I loved reading the comments from my last post…so much so that I just had to write about it! And if you didn’t read all the comments, I’ll summarize by saying some folks really disliked my showcased photo…finding it sad and depressing. It seems that somehow it’s felt that I’m perhaps sad as well…as our photographs are an expression of ourselves. Well me being sad couldn’t be further from the truth…so it bears some explanation and thought and hopefully more discussion!
First let’s start with what a sunset and sunrise means to us. In general I think most people would agree that sunrises and sunsets are filled with emotion, right? Regardless of how many times we see them, generally they’ll take our breath away and they usually make everything around it even more beautiful. For me, the Arizona sunrises and sunsets constantly take my breath away…one of many reasons why I fell in love with the desert and moved here almost 30 years ago. In general, I can see that a sunrise often symbolizes new beginnings…new day…happiness…and sunsets could symbolize endings…which could be associated with sadness…death…etc.
Everyone sees things differently. I’ve always read that the goal of most art is to provoke an emotional response from the viewer. It was in a photography seminar a couple of years back that I recall the instructor saying that when someone hates one of your photographs…embrace it…because that’s a very good thing. At the time I really didn’t quite get it, but today I do. It’s far easier to create something “safe”…than to take a chance on creating something “different.” If you’re creating something “different” and people don’t care for it, it means you’re growing in your photography journey and that’s a good thing.
I’ve been making photographs for several years now and after viewing hundreds of sunset/sunrise photographs on the internet…to be honest…I’m bored by them. So I took the risk of adding a touch of impressionism, a touch as abstract, as well as eliminating that warm glow we all love in a sunset and turned it into something different – black and white. What I adore about photography is it does allow expression…and I also believe that photography changes as we change. I’m at a point in my photography journey that I want to take more risks. After a few years of worrying about whether others will like my work or not (staying safe), I can honestly say that I’ve come to a point where I care less, thus willing to take more risks. Trust me, it’s taken a while to reach this point.
Now having said all of that…I think as photographers and bloggers we all like to have “likes” and “followers.” And trust me, in the past that was very important to me. But now I can honestly say that I create for me. I blog for me. I photograph in a way that makes ME happy, that fulfills me creatively, emotionally and spiritually. As I mentioned in my comments to the previous post, I find so much beauty in this series I’m working on. It’s depth, it’s moodiness, it’s movement…it totally speaks to me.
I so appreciate each and every one of you…it takes time to read a post and even more time to comment. What I love even more is when there’s thought provoking comments that not only make me sit up straight and think…but brings good discussion amongst us all. Thank you!!
So today I’ll share a sunrise…in all it’s glory…once again with my artistic touches…but with that infamous warm glow. You may like it or you may not….it’s all good!
More soon! gg
Well said Robin and I’d echo your sentiments, this image by the way is a cracker
Well, first let me say I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this photo.
I’m so happy to know that you are not sad, and that your last post was not an expression of any such feelings… I’m also delighted to hear that you don’t take any offense to comments that express honest feelings about the work you are sharing with us…. You are absolutely right when you say we all see things differently. I was one of those that commented that I didn’t like the last photo you featured on your last post. I based my thoughts and comments on two of your previous posts, Life, and The Storm. And knowing you so well, and loving you so much…, I made the assumption that you might be feeling sadness since you are still coming off the emotional rollercoaster from your recent visit to the farm, which I thought might be reflected in some of your work. And if that was true, I just didn’t want you to be sad… I made that assumption also based on my own feelings and emotions knowing that when I am dealing with extreme emotional family matters, I tend to express myself differently, including in my blog post writings, and I think that is a good thing too, because it is my outlet, my sanity at times… Anyway, as you said, we create, write, etc. for ourselves… And I, like you my sweet Frissy, welcome all comments to my blog. And I, like you, think it’s all good when we see things differently, because it really does open the door for discussion and food for thought…. Miss you and love you to the moon and back and MORE!!!
Great, truth telling post … I loved the b&w photo and I love this gorgeous, color smeered one just as much! keep being true to your sweet self.
I really don’t want to admit this, but in the spirit of genuine friendship, I will. I wish that even one of my pictures aroused a little controversy. Honestly, I’ve been going back through old images, seeing my learning curve, and I am so happy to see my growth – creatively and personally. Robin, you are an inspiration to me – taking chances and allowing your light to shine. You are mature, confident and comfortable with your place in this world – and it shows in your work. I hope I’m on this same path. I love the honest and sincere conversation here – and if we don’t allow for each other to see differently – really what’s the point? Isn’t art about sincerity ? Whether we take a picture of a lovely flower, a sunset, or an interchange between mother and child – it seems we seek the larger beauty that comes from that single frame. Rock on, girl!
This one spills over onto the page and table in front of me, Robin, and that is VERY good. I love this photographic journey we’re all on and believe every word you have written here. Often Astrid and I say to each, “I don’t care what anyone thinks.” And then daughter Amy’s voice pops up in the background: “It’s your blog, Mom, and you can do whatever you want!”
Carry on!
Great post, Robin, I love what you say here. And though the style of the image you’ve shared doesn’t belong to my favourites, this particular image has caught my attention and made me think, made me feel… Thank you.
When I started my other blog for “enhancing my photography skills” almost two years ago, I just wanted to have a separate space for something I didn’t know where it would lead and I didn’t expect that the journey would take me to that freedom of posting things I’m not sure anyone would like. I’m still pleased to get comments on my blogs and wish I was getting more but I don’t fear non-acceptance any more, which changes a lot. It’s a great experience.
I think there are two kinds of people. Those who really don’t care what others think and follow their way, some very politely, some almost in quite an impersonal and impertinent way. And then there is the other group of people that need time and experience to find that freedom of being truly themselves and some make it while others not.
Thank you for taking your risks of being open here. It’s truly inspiring to follow you along your personal way of growing and developing… 🙂
Robin, I am simply knocked out. What Ginnie said, yes, it’s spilling out onto my lap. The movement, color, form — all are breathtaking. You know, as envious as I am of you standing on your roof before this, I feel that you have managed to condense that magnitude here.
There is so much I want to say. You and your photographs have brought me that rare combination of beauty and abandon that few photographers bring. Yours is a unique aesthetic and one that caresses and wakes me up at the same time. To read what you’ve written about your development is so good and helpful. I understand it after blogging a while and learning a great deal from friends who took the time and care to respond to what I’d offered. While I do still get snared by wondering what people will think, I care a great deal less than when I began blogging in 2006.
This is so important! What you are doing in your art is important, and what you are doing in this conversation is important. Can I be honest and tell you how tired I get of all the gushing and mindless worship around social media over eye candy? It all feels so bereft of meaning and true feeling. The most rapturous times I’ve had experiencing art are the ones that have combined beauty and pain. Surely there is something essential in this.
So please carry on. 🙂
Instead of creating something “safe” you started a discussion about “pleasing ” and “likes “and “dislikes” . How great is that? In my understanding you reached a point in your work that is truly you …I admire you for that! I get bored with many blogs I follow but never with yours , always a different approach, new perspectives etc.
Look at all the people above who really reflected on your posts -what a lucky person you are and what a wonderful job you are doing!
By the way – I absolutely adore the picture!
Robin, I read both of your posts and I so appreciate this discussion you’ve sparked. Yes, everyone sees differently. And yes, I truly believe that our photographs say something about us. Yet, only we know what that is. At the same time, how others view our photographs says something about them! And, as you say, it’s all good!
Personally, I prefer the black and white image. It feels soft and mysterious, not sad at all. What I enjoyed most was your description of your creative process – taking a sunrise or sunset image and playing with it. I’m intrigued by what will come next in this series.
Oh Robin…I have read your post and comments and have been ruminating the content. I have gone back and forth on a possible response, for there are so many variables to this topic. So here goes….
Your post, in my mind, has less to do with art than the human psyche. Art is subjective. Yes, successful art wants to arouse an emotion. For the courageous artist, the more indignant a response, the more successful the art. Great artists push the limits, they make us think by sometimes making us uncomfortable, and most important to me, incite conversation.
When someone looks at a photograph, painting, whatever the medium of art, and has a negative reaction, and dismisses the work as bad, that has more to do with the viewer than the artist. Now let’s all assume this said artist has honed their particular art form and we are not discussing their skill but their vision. When someone’s vision provokes a negative or positive response within you……WOW, what a gift!
It is in the challenges we grow. It is in the muck of emotion we befriend the shadows that lie within us all, but only if one is courageous. Human response has quite a bit to do with projection. If you see something that triggers a contrary reaction, your knee jerk reaction is to say, I don’t like it and immediately dismiss it. You would be projecting your reaction to the artist. However, if a piece of art offends, agitates or saddens you, instead of dismissing it, ask yourself, why is this making me feel uncomfortable? This is the role of the artist, not only to beautify our world, but also to arouse our deep seated un-conscious within our marred inner landscape.
Look what one little black and white photograph ignited! Conversation, what a gift. So there are no rights or wrongs just personal interpretations, that are the windows to our soul.
My hat is off to you Robin because you are willing to stretch beyond someone’s perceived comfort zone, into the muck. For it is in the muck the riches lie.
“THE SPIRIT OF EVIL IS THE NEGATION OF THE LIFE FORCE BY FEAR. ONLY BOLDNESS CAN OVERCOME THAT FEAR, AND IF THE RISK IS NOT TAKEN, THE MEANING OF LIFE IS VIOLATED.”
Carl Jung
I think it is somewhat like when you say you live in Arizona, people don’t understand why you would want to live in such a hot climate. I agree about the sunrises and sunsets in the desert, like everything in life they can become hoo hum and to get your creativity going with an expression, not worry about what others say and think is simply marvelous. I think it takes some time before a photographer really sees that. I agree with Donna and her comments she always says things so well and I couldn’t have said it better. Your photography has personality and that is wonderful.
We are responsible for our art, and to be honest with it. Others will react as they choose – some positive, some negative. We sometimes lose sight of this: it is the high calling of art not to create consensus but to stir something. What it stirs is beyond our control. The most disheartening thing someone can say about my work is that it stirs nothing at all. I’ll take strong honest feelings any day over homogeny or apathy 🙂
Oooooo go for it Robin. You made me smile with your feck it sassy attitude. You are growing so much as an artist and I’m inspired. Like Ginnie we share a real understanding and love of it. Aren’t we lucky xx
Wow…. see what you have done…. a whole discussion.
I have little to say, our photography sometimes shows our soul…. OUR soul and it takes courage to show it.
Showing this wonderful abstract, thank you, I love the dark blue in it, is stunning. A sunset like you see it. I see it too. An explosion of fire.
Love and hugs.
Blogging just for you is the best way to Blog in my opinion, because the opinions and viewpoints are and sincere and that always shows in the post and makes it more engaging, or it certainly does to me
BRAVO, Robin!!
Beyond beautiful sunset and post!
I certainly projected my feelings of what I thought you were feeling onto your B&W and therefore caring so much about you, it provoked feelings of sadness and empathy, just like Virginia. So very glad I was wrong.
All of your photos and blogs evoke passionate feelings. I absolutely enjoy watching you evolve and grow as a confident, talented artist. You have enriched my life greatly, as you have also inspired so many other artists to take risks and step outside their comfort zone. I am so very proud of you.
I learn so much from you and your followers and I am truly appreciative of being a part of your journey. You have enriched my life and I thank you for sharing your photography, feelings and self.
You’re the only ones blog I follow. Not being an artist or blogger, myself, you have taught me so much and have opened the gateway of my mind and world and allowed an opportunity and forum to express my feelings, too.
I remember awhile back you had a blog comptemplating changes and whether or not to respond to comments.
I am very glad you decided to continue to. Look how it’s opened the door to so much discussion! A true artist!
I can’t speak from the perspective of an artist or blogger but one would think that a blog that is made public is so different from a private journal. On some level of our ego and psyche, we as human beings do want to be loved and accepted. Yes, you so it for yourself but flourished in the sense of an artist where it’s OK if not everyone loves a photograph. It is art because you evoked passion, whether negative or positive!
I love the discussion, this photograph, your followers, the fact that you’re not sad and YOU, my dear friend. You are very special, indeed!
Thank you.
XOXO
Love this image. Janet
Robin, I see a butterfly fearlessly taking flight towards the sun…a bit like you!
Another beauty, Robin! And I so enjoyed your thoughts. I am definitely on the same page with you about the art I create for my blog – whether abstract or editorial, rich with a narrative or without any words at all – it’s about the joy I get from the process. There is nothing like it.
Hmm…..a very stimulating comment.
Sadness and even anger are part of a healthy mental well being just like happiness or contentment as long as we don’t stay in that condition for too long. A dog peeing on my rose bush will either make me laugh or get me angry depending on my emotional state that moment. I also think that a photographer is talented if he/she creates an emotional reaction___sadness, peace, joy, disgust, anger or no reaction___it is a function of two things: 1.) how the viewer is feeling at that moment and 2.) connection with inner self, level of introspection, and self awareness. Black and White photographs as an example, have a stronger reaction with me because it gives my brain a wider range of imagination. A winding road that ends in a forest reminds me of a soul’s journey into the unknown which is what life is all about.
I welcome any emotional reactions from a photograph because it makes me feel alive. There was a time in my life that I purposely repressed emotions so people didn’t know what I was feeling. Today it is part of my journey to discover my inner self.
I have seen an evolution in your photographs and I must admit that I love every phase of your journey as an artist. Your appreciation and focus in abstract art is a progression of growth and depth.
I do admit that I struggle with the abstract because my senses have trouble with associations of colors and forms. Drawing inspiration from forms, colors, textures requires a deeper understanding of art that I do not have.
So well said, Robin. Rock. On.
Génial! Superbe rendu et très créatif le rendu… Un feu d’artifice!