So About Your Art... Why Do You Choose The Subjects You Choose?

I simply shoot what catches my eye. Often, I know that there's a message there somewhere, but don't always take the time to analyze it in the moment. Other times I'll be engaged by some interesting stuff, and wait until later to see if there's an interesting image in it. On the third hand, sometimes I'll know exactly what I want to do with a particular subject.

Since my history is as a commercial (advertising) photographer, sometimes, I'll know in intimate detail how I'll prepare and compose a shot before I even arrive.

I try to find bits and pieces of Architecture people don't notice when they are looking at the "whole". Interesting patterns in wood, concrete, rocks. Little mini still lifes in ordinary things. Dead tree branches also call me when I'm out in the winter. I think I'm trying to say "look, you didn't notice this before, did you?" Don't know how well I succeed, but it's fun.

@Mary - IMO, if you are doing what you are called to do, you already have.

Yeah, I hear ya HW, but hardly anyone looks at my concrete wall images. I get comments from the abstract painters, though so I guess I'm doing something right.

I try to capture emotions on a large canvas. I go into a very relaxed state and then I paint. I have no clue what the subject will be before I start most of the time...AND of course many times I achieve nothing but an abstract.

This has changed for me over time. I think when I was young than my art was more about discovery, adventure and exploration. Recently I've been intrigued with the stories people have to say. More a reporter of the world. I certainly feel more moral responsibility towards my art as I age. Since that means there are now billions of stories to tell, not just mine than I'm not ever short of project ideas.

Two most recent WIP blogs:
http://mary-ellen-anderson-fine-art.blogspot.com/2013/07/wip-historical-event-art-quantrills-raid.html

http://mary-ellen-anderson-fine-art.blogspot.com/2014/12/oil-painting-when-things-go-seriously.html

I do have a mission to bring that power into more lives. I see derivative art like prints as wonderful mean of making real art (art that moves and is important to them not NY) part of everyday peoples lives. I'd say I paint to reach them, while I use to paint to reach art critics. You just don't have as much to prove or have given up that the bullheaded will ever consider something else. Pretty comfortable with myself after all these years.

I'd say I use to paint and pick topics to be a good artist, now I don't worry about that and pick for what will make good art.
-- mary ellen anderson

I usually start with the colors in mind, then choose subjects that would work well with the color scheme. Or I may have a particular shape running through my head, and the picture will usually form itself around it. I very rarely choose the subject first, unless it's a commission piece, and those are my least favorite to create.

I don't think I choose my subjects... somehow I think they choose me.

Like Mary, I have a habit of looking up. Bridges,trees, leaves & windows call to me.

I've had a fascination with the lake boats since I was in Junior High School.

You all are gifted in you're own way, lve enjoyed reading your posts,
l think as I've aged, l relised more this is my niche and it keeps growing in twists and turns and im learning by you guys, and you inspire me thankyou😊

Yes l choose subject first, even if its from my imagination too create.
lts like a foundation too me, a solid subject too build around and start the top coat of different colours.

Thank you of all of your replies, I love getting to know what goes on inside the mind of an artist as they create.
As for me, well, I come from an intense background, alcoholism, rehabs, homelessness, car wrecks, and even at one point getting shot in the head. I literally should be dead right now, but am still here. Everyday is literally a miracle to me, a day filled with a renewed appreciation... I have a very palpable passion for life. There are a lot of people hurting in this world, just like I used to be before I had my "re-birth", and I want people to see hope and life and optimism in my photographs. I am insane about real good natural lighting for my scenes, and I love deep rich colors, both of which represent vitality and awareness. It is my desire - my passion really - to help people to see the miraculous, the buety, the Spirit of Life in and through my photos, and inspire them to see this kind of life for themselves. Thank you for letting me share this!

Gregory

I have no plans pre painting. I care about process only, fueledby how I feel on any given mornng. A good product is a perk.
No planning unless it is a commission that requires a full color rendering for approval.

I usually try to get people to think a little deeper but I fail miserably because people prefer blissful ignorance.

My answer to the question in the OP is;

That depends.

Often I shoot what “catches my eye”. Yet, I am always searching for things that may seem mundane for others, yet offer me the potential to photograph them in such a way that I hope no one else has done.

For example, these two images.





On the other hand, I do sometimes “set out” to photograph subjects that have long held an interest for me.





And yet; even when “setting out” to shoot a particular subject---nearly always---these come from earlier observations. Something that, “caught my eye”

I love going out on photo shoots- I always get in the "zone" and living in Colorado, this gorgeous state makes it too easy to fall into the zone quickly and stay there.
Whenever that happens- it feels like everything in the world around me is peaceful and happy- I forget about all the worries and struggles. It also really helps me forget about the daily pain I have.
I am extremely passionate about photography and snap shots everywhere- I'm having to move to another hard drive- again! I love all types of it. Whenever I am having a rough day, all I want to do is escape and take pictures of mother nature.

Gregory,
What I think most artists do is shoot or paint what attracts them. Then when they get ready to sell it they for the first time will wonder who might buy them. Over time than what sells will be your niches. You are both finding what interests people and connecting. But what makes your work connect with people isn't in picking the right topic or theme. It's in how your saying it; your style.

Certainly even famous artists are easily caught in the conflict of doing it the way everyone likes and expects and doing it with just your artistic voice talking. But in general than artists try and filter out marketing concerns (and successes) when they work. You naturally have a unique style that you're hoping will connect in people. Picking the right niche is just a game of how you're going to get your particular style in front of people.

So overtime, there is a tendency to 'type cast' yourself. If that falls inline with your own interest (like specializing in birds, a particular medium, etc) than it's fine if that's who you are; just something you need to realize as you advance your career. Understanding your own style (how your going to say what you see and think) is the goal. Learning to be interesting, informative, entertaining, etc. Then you can talk about whatever topic is in your mind, not what everyone wants to hear. Because the interest is in your presentation not the topic.

My advice is to start with your own loves and paint or shoot for that. Then after you love each one totally, only then try figuring out if there is a niche in there somewhere that you can market too. Don't try and find popular topics when your shooting but do think about what might be popular with niches when you market your work.
-- mary ellen anderson

One thing art has always given me is that intense focus (the zone) when I work. Where you completely forget anything but your focus. It's like an out-of-body experience; you have no idea what's physically going on when you're in the zone. I've gotten zone dangerous over the years. I can achieve that same focus in my scientific work, or really any individual work. Put me in an final exam, and the building could burn down and wouldn't notice. It's always a time warp experience, I lose days. And my family can interact with me like I'm a sleepwalker and I won't remember (normally they know by not making sense that I'm not there, like once the kids asked me if they could go play at the neighbors and my reply was yes, but be sure and put them in the dishwasher). Then there are the hazards of frostbite, exposure, dehydration, etc. I can literally drop from physical exhaustion before I realize I have to come out of it.

Do the rest of you have this kind of experience? And do you do anything about it? I love the zone, it's addictive, but it's not without risk and cost.
-- mary ellen anderson

Prostitutes have been my subjects for over 50 years. i enjoy listening to their experiences. Some are my closest friends. My web page at www.danl.fr tells all.

Here's how I decide what to paint/draw (three different methods):
1. I am intrigued by an idea, and I want to express it through art. Ex: Quantum Flux, Awakening, Where The Woodbine Twineth, Impact
2. I have an image in my head that I need to express. Ex: Legacy, New Waters, Sky Tree
3. I want to make people smile, so I choose a recognizable subject and add whimsy. Ex: Dragon Fly, One Good Eye