The Perceptive Photographer

In this podcast, I am joined by Seattle-based photographer Aaron Brethorst. Aaron is a fine-art photographer from Minnesota who has relocated to the Seattle area. He works in a variety of photographic mediums from digital to historical processes. His work has been featured in numerous shows...

This first week is the wonderful writer Lori Kane.

Lori is an essayist, nonfiction storyteller, and poet. Her most recent book is titled The Grace of Dragons: Receiving the Gifts of Dementia Care Partnering. In The Grace of Dragon's, Lori shares essays and poems about her family's experience with her mom Alzheimer's disease.

In this week's podcast, we answer some of the more popular and interesting questions I have been asked by the listeners of the podcast over the past several months.

People and your creativity

As 2017 started, I began to look at my creative process and the things that impacted that process. As it turns out, I have some associates that cause a significant drain on my creativity. They are negative, rude and not really all that supportive of the arts or people who are trying to tell interesting stories. It then occurred to me that I don't have to continue to be friends with and hang out with these people. While it has been a challenge to have some hard conversations with some people, I am finding that having the space to find new people who can support my work has been worth the effort and I encourage you to see if there are people in your life and how they impact your creativity. If they make you more creative then stick with them and maybe it is time to let the negativity go.

Not all people work the same

I have been working with a number of people on some projects lately and a common theme has emerged around project process. I think that we have been brainwashed into a single method or best way to create a project. The reality for me is that there is no right way to work a project. For some people, they have an idea and they can run with it. Others, like me, have the projects just show up from what they are shooting and printing. Both are valid and neither is better than the other just different.

People and your creativity

As 2017 started, I began to look at my creative process and the things that impacted that process. As it turns out, I have some associates that cause a significant drain on my creativity. They are negative, rude and not really all that supportive of the arts or people who are trying to tell interesting stories. It then occurred to me that I don't have to continue to be friends with and hang out with these people. While it has been a challenge to have some hard conversations with some people, I am finding that having the space to find new people who can support my work has been worth the effort and I encourage you to see if there are people in your life and how they impact your creativity. If they make you more creative then stick with them and maybe it is time to let the negativity go.

Not all people work the same

I have been working with a number of people on some projects lately and a common theme has emerged around project process. I think that we have been brainwashed into a single method or best way to create a project. The reality for me is that there is no right way to work a project. For some people, they have an idea and they can run with it. Others, like me, have the projects just show up from what they are shooting and printing. Both are valid and neither is better than the other just different.

Why you became a photographer

I was recently asked about how I become a photographer, and as I got to thinking about this question the more I realized that the question of why was more important than how. The how implies a process or procedure to become something. The why ask a more foundational question about our work as an artist. The why requires that we peel back the onion layers for a deeper connection to reasons we act the way we do.

For me, that answer lies in understanding my need for a creative outlet and way of expressing myself. I was born with dysgraphia and a mild form of dyslexia which has made writing challenging. The camera gave me an outlet. As I attempted other art forms, I wasn't what academia considered a good student, so I returned to the camera. In the mixup that was my creativity, the camera became the greatest outlet for my storytelling.

Why are you still a photographer

As I thought about why I am still a photographer, I realized that I have a deep love of photography. Even on the days when I don't have a camera, I spend time in photography. From books to museums to galleries, I love looking at images. I also have realized how much I love to watch and see the light. From the single dapple of light on a forest floor to the look of light on someone's face as we pass on the street. There is something amazing about how light can tell the stories of our life. It is with a camera that I can find those nouns and verbs to tell my stories.

This weeks' podcast falls on MLK Day in the US. In celebration of the amazing life and dedication of Marth Luther King, his family and all those who fought for equality in that past, present and future. Thanks, and here is one of my favorite Martin Luther King Quotes.

“Courage is an inner resolution to go forward despite obstacles;

Cowardice is submissive surrender to circumstances.

Courage breeds creativity; Cowardice represses fear and is mastered by it.

Cowardice asks the question, is it safe?

Expediency ask the question, is it politic?

Vanity asks the question, is it popular?

But conscience ask the question, is it right? And there comes a time when we must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but one must take it because it is right.”

― Martin Luther King Jr.

Why you became a photographer

I was recently asked about how I become a photographer, and as I got to thinking about this question the more I realized that the question of why was more important than how. The how implies a process or procedure to become something. The why ask a more foundational question about our work as an artist. The why requires that we peel back the onion layers for a deeper connection to reasons we act the way we do.

For me, that answer lies in understanding my need for a creative outlet and way of expressing myself. I was born with dysgraphia and a mild form of dyslexia which has made writing challenging. The camera gave me an outlet. As I attempted other art forms, I wasn't what academia considered a good student, so I returned to the camera. In the mixup that was my creativity, the camera became the greatest outlet for my storytelling.

Why are you still a photographer

As I thought about why I am still a photographer, I realized that I have a deep love of photography. Even on the days when I don't have a camera, I spend time in photography. From books to museums to galleries, I love looking at images. I also have realized how much I love to watch and see the light. From the single dapple of light on a forest floor to the look of light on someone's face as we pass on the street. There is something amazing about how light can tell the stories of our life. It is with a camera that I can find those nouns and verbs to tell my stories.

This weeks' podcast falls on MLK Day in the US. In celebration of the amazing life and dedication of Marth Luther King, his family and all those who fought for equality in that past, present and future. Thanks, and here is one of my favorite Martin Luther King Quotes.

“Courage is an inner resolution to go forward despite obstacles;

Cowardice is submissive surrender to circumstances.

Courage breeds creativity; Cowardice represses fear and is mastered by it.

Cowardice asks the question, is it safe?

Expediency ask the question, is it politic?

Vanity asks the question, is it popular?

But conscience ask the question, is it right? And there comes a time when we must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but one must take it because it is right.”

― Martin Luther King Jr.

What drives your creative life

As I looked around the studio this week, still getting it cleaned and built, I got to thinking about all the work to create and live a creative life. I got to thinking about what are the sorts of things that drive us to be creative and to create. For each of us, it is different, but I can imagine that there are some common themes. I thought that in this week's podcast, we could take a look at some of the ways that we drive and push our creative life. As I consider my own creativity, I came up with a list of idea and concepts that drive part of my creative process. The are:

Passion

Compassion

Fear

Balance

Action and Reaction

How does this translate behind the camera

Once you have figured out what are some of the things that help motivate and drive you to be creative, how do those translate into our photographs? For me, they create a framework that allows us to drive and create more engaging and interesting photographs. At the core of this framework are three elements.

Sense of seeing within the frame. You develop stronger and more interesting framing.

Better relationship between subject and subject matter

Develop a stronger sense of storytelling

Ultimately the question arises: Does it matter that we understand what drives our creative life? For some, it might not matter and might even make it harder to understand. For others, it might be critical to their development as an artist. Either way, what matters is that you do not let it keep you from developing your own energy around your creative life.

What drives your creative life

As I looked around the studio this week, still getting it cleaned and built, I got to thinking about all the work to create and live a creative life. I got to thinking about what are the sorts of things that drive us to be creative and to create. For each of us, it is different, but I can imagine that there are some common themes. I thought that in this week's podcast, we could take a look at some of the ways that we drive and push our creative life. As I consider my own creativity, I came up with a list of idea and concepts that drive part of my creative process. The are:

* Passion

* Compassion

* Fear

* Balance

* Action and Reaction

How does this translate behind the camera

Once you have figured out what are some of the things that help motivate and drive you to be creative, how do those translate into our photographs? For me, they create a framework that allows us to drive and create more engaging and interesting photographs. At the core of this framework are three elements.

* Sense of seeing within the frame. You develop stronger and more interesting framing.

* Better relationship between subject and subject matter

* Develop a stronger sense of storytelling

Ultimately the question arises: Does it matter that we understand what drives our creative life? For some, it might not matter and might even make it harder to understand. For others, it might be critical to their development as an artist. Either way, what matters is that you do not let it keep you from developing your own energy around your creative life.

Being Productive

Thinking forward to everything that I want to accomplish in 2017 has me considering what sort of changes I need to make to my productive plan. In the past, when I didn't achieve my goals I got to thinking of myself as lazy, but as the new year starts I have a different perspective on productivity. I find that we spend time on the things that matter and that we need to give ourselves a break when that doesn't work out the way that we planned.

As I consider my own creativity, I am going to try to focus on the following areas to make 2017 one of the best years.

Reliability. I only want to focus and work with things and people that are reliable. I am done waiting on bad things to improve. I instead want to focus on what works.

Repeatability. I want to make sure that I have a clear and easy way to repeat the things that I do over and over again.

Consistency. There is huge value in working day in and day out on something. Having a consistency to my process will make them easier to repeat and understand their long-term impact.

Forget the past. Things in the past are there for a reason. I am not going to hold on to things just because I did it that way before. If it doesn't move me forward, it is gone.

Avoid multi-tasking. You can get a lot more done when you sit down, focus and don't try to do three things at once.

Write it down

I hope that you can find something in this week's podcast that can help you get more productive in 2017 and if not that you at least take the time to think about what really makes you productive and focus your energy there this year.

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