The 2nd 100,000

Henri Cartier-Bresson said our first 10,000 were our warm up shots. With DSLRs it may be more like the first 100K "clicks" is when we first begin to learn.

This pdf file represents the kind of work I like. The type of work people do when they get past 100K.

Good photography, no matter what the subject is, is all about our humanity. It's an art that includes everything.

www.mlkstudios.com/pdf/FLASH.pdf
Large file 17.4 MB (right click to download). Note: For Mature Audiences

The floating heads on the table are based on the work of Dadaist Man Ray and the sculptor Constantin Brancusi.

Noir et Blanche and Sleeping Muse.

They are part of the art train.

Matthew

Noire et Blanche (Black and White) by Man Ray (where Dada meets photography):

media.publicbroadcasting.net/national/ar..._images/3299965.jpeg

This is a portrait C. Brancusi taken by Steichen:

www.mlkstudios.com/images/Edward_Steichen-Brancusi.jpeg

His atelier in Paris (his studio):

www.mlkstudios.com/images/Atelier_Brancusi.jpeg

Note Sleeping Muse is on the table, in the back (by the red curtain) is Bird in Space. They were exhibited in Gallery 291, which was Stieglitz's studio in NYC, and the center of the art world in the U.S. No one bought any of his work. They didn't understand it then either. You soon will.

Matthew

Well I've said from the beginning that the biggest reason that I took up photography a couple of years ago was to challenge the other side of my brain that I don't use normally. I will say that this art thing is a new realm for me and I find that it bothers me sometimes, in the end...that's a good thing. I think that we all need to be challenged to learn.

I will most definitely challenge both sides of your brain.

The camera is but a tool. We use it to share our world and to express ourselves. I see too many now who want every gadget (and lens) before they start to learn. All you need is a decent camera and a decent prime lens to be great. Nothing expensive at all.

It's when you use it for art and/or your own humanity, that it becomes universal. It becomes something we ALL can relate to. The entire world shares photography as an art medium (Google The Family of Man exhibit by E. Steichen).

Barry, what did you think of the work in FLASH? And do you know from which art culture your avatar comes from?

FYI moderators (aka agents). As a teacher I'm able to bend some copyright rules. They're loser when used for education.

MLKstudios wrote: The camera is but a tool. We use it to share and express ourselves. I see too many now who want every gadget (and lens) before they start to learn. All you need is a decent camera and a decent prime lens to be great. Nothing expensive at all.

It's when you use it for art and/or your own humanity, that it becomes universal. It becomes something we ALL can relate to.

What did you think of FLASH?

Some images were troubling, some reflected cultural differences and at the same time similarities, some were uplifting and all speak of the human condition. It challenged me, as I grow being challenged is becoming less and less annoying. One thing is for certain in my mind, Art encompasses a lot ground and It is measures the height and breadth of culture.

In short, I liked it. I'll probably more spend time looking through the flash when I have a little more time. Thank you.

Welcome, Barry. Glad you're willing to look at new things with an open mind. It includes the height and breadth of ALL cultures. One of the greatest tools known to man.

The PC-ness of our Brave New World tends to blend everyone together, instead of celebrating our differences. Nothing wrong with disagreeing or seeing the world differently than others.

We need more of it. In a more civilized (and human) way, of course. I can choose to disagree with you, and still respect who you are.

Matthew

Bumping for Rob and Baydream.

A lot of these brings to mind William Eggleston. The colors and the style give me that feel in a lot of them.

An interesting selection of photos, some good some bad, some I liked some I didnt, guess thats what its all about.

Shadowfixer1 wrote: A lot of these brings to mind William Eggleston. The colors and the style give me that feel in a lot of them.

Exactly, Shadow! There's a thread that connects them all. That's the point of my proverbial train. One car is connected to the next.

Essentially the snotty art world is about collecting autographs. Once you become "known" you can do almost anything, and people will relish it. Of course you have to get "known" first. That's where the connections matter. The art critics need something to compare you to.

While it is possible to do something amazing, fresh and new. The chances of getting recognized for it are slim to nil. You'll end up posting tons of pics on Flickr.

The new term for the art "thread" is combinatorial thinking. We combine all the work we've seen and experienced into our own. And quite simply, if you combine the right pieces, others will call you an artist!

Ex. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Shore

In short, the art world is a like a train. Everyone behind must pay homage to the car in front of them, and include all of those influences into his (or her) art.

BTW you don't have to want to be an artist, you already are. There's one inside you. And you're using your camera to let it out. I'm just trying to help you get there, quicker.

Maybe even in your first 100K.

Matthew

FYI my course is designed to get you past the mechanics of photography quickly (the f/stops, shutter speeds, post work and etc.) and past that constant desire for a new piece of equipment, and focus on your work. Only when you forget about the camera, can you become a photographer. That's when you first begin to see.

The tomato soup was a nice one. Some others were thought provoking as well, and some were odd. Of course art is supposed to be confusing and challenging... it's art!

VT, that reminds me of a thread not that long ago on TMBO (a private photo forum I belong to). Someone posted a pic, and the first comment was, "I don't get it." The next line stated simply, "It's art".

It takes some understanding of where ART comes from. It started on the walls of caves. Our ancestors saw a bump in the rock, and thought... hmm, if I add some horns with some charcoal. It'll look just like the hunt we were on.

Or when we were kids looking up at clouds. We saw bunnies.