Next One Is My Best One...

Shirley,

As a Photographer, I look at it differently I guess. Thinking or hoping that my next image will be better than those that followed it, seems to be counter-productive. When ever I pick up a camera, I do hope to create a good image, regardless if I'm in Glacier or my backyard. If something exceptional does come out, I'm a happy camper! If not, I know I did get some good shots and I'm OK with that.

Again, this might be a "painter" thing, but for me, putting that additional stress on yourself, and enjoying the "process" seems more a negative thing, than an inspiring thing.

Of course, "best" is very hard to quantify and when I see something that to me is better than usual, I like it, but is it my best, probably not, but then don't ask me what is my best! LOL!

So, the question goes back to you, is this more a "painter" thing?

Rich

Hi Rich, you have faith that you will get some good shots! I usually get one good one out of 400.

You bring up a different view though. Interesting. I do photography too and when I take my camera out I look for better lighting on a subject I thought could be better. A prettier butterfly on the perfect flower. I look for more things to fall into place. There is always something wrong in my photos that I try to look out for the next time. Always learning, always searching for the perfect photo. I don't want to have to "fix" a photograph. Manipulate, play with and skew, is fun though.

Shirley,

I am motivated by the act of making the art.

Most artists are working and not generally working at the summit of their career.

Dave

Yeah David and the meditation of it. I love sinking into that state.

Shirley,

Measure your nose length, I think it just got longer! "I usually get one good one out of 400." Looking at your site and your work, I have a feeling that you might be exaggerating a teensy tiny bit! I be be proud to hang one of your "failures" in my house!

Photography, is both simple and involved, but the foundation is to know and understand the "mechanics" of the camera/lens/sensor and that is the first step. Just like you, knowing how to mix your colors and create those great images on your site. I have trouble mixing my cream with my coffee!

And if there is something wrong in your photo, remove it there or in photoshop, later. There isn't a single image on my site, 3700+ that came straight from the camera to FAA! Just not possible, especially shooting a RAW image, which doesn't change, alter or effect the shot. No sharpening, saturation,contrast,etc.

As I've said here before, I think it's so much easier for a painter to become a good photographer, than the other way around!

Rich

I think photography has tighter parameters as far as knowing how to handle the camera. It is quite evident when someone doesn't know how to set the camera, or lighting etc. Painters can claim anything as art.

I also think photographers are constantly pulled out of the zone by having to watch their step and their surroundings. A painter can sit still.

I still have a cute nose Rich. I have about 90,000 photos on my computer right now. Now to mention all the printed photos before digital. I take a lot of photos and I paint a lot too. Not to mention several other mediums I like to play with.

Thank you so much for the kudos!

I think the view of an artist shines through what ever catches their interest, whatever medium they choose at the moment. Everything has a learning curve, some people can learn all the settings and still not capture anything interesting. Same with paint!

Yupp, my personal favorite is always the one I just did and the next one will always be better.

At least in my mind.

Hi, Shirley,

I'm motivated more by excitement than improvement. If "the next one" makes me want to do a happy dance, and fills me with a sense of satisfaction, I don't really care whether it's technically better. I'm all about the 'Wow!' factor. :-)

As for searching for perfection, Aristotle said it best --

"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work."

Hi JC, yes... Faith! Faith it will be even better.

Oh yes Wendy! Wow factor is everything! Always looking for the WOW! Technique be damned!

Shirley,

Yes, at your level of painting and my level of photography, the "basics" need to be understood and met, every time we create. The more the "mechanics" are understood, generally, the better the image that is created.

JC,

Maybe when I'm actually clicking the shutter, it feels like my best so far, but generally later, on the monitor, not so much. Shooting cars is sometimes different, because the car itself might really be special and that makes the image special too. Here's a good example:



1947 Ford Coca Cola Delivery Truck, very rare! In fact, if you Google this, 1947 Ford Coca Cola truck, MY image is first!!! I knew what I saw this truck, that I would get some good shots and part of the "good" was the truck itself! By the way, the owner of this has about 40 or so cars and trucks that are ALL unique!

Wendy, yes, when I see an image and run and get my camera, I think "WOW!" And that's what I REALLY enjoy!

David: "Most artists are working and not generally working at the summit of their career." That's the truth. How many "summits" do we get in one lifetime? Substitute *any* job title for the word "artist" and it's still true.

I hope I never reach the summit, it means it's all downhill, or plateau, after that, but I know I will, someday, that is a truth as certain as death.

Summits are only visible from a distance, through hindsight, looking back at your achievements in a given area and realizing you reached your peak performance at some point in your past, and then your path took you in a different direction.

There is nothing left to do but make peace with the knowledge that your path will never again circle back to a place where you are able to stand on that particular summit and build on it.

"All this will be gone... like tears, in rain. It is time to die." quote from movie "Blade Runner"

Summits only exist on mountaintops. I don't believe in summits or perfection, and refuse to carry the burden of trying to attain those patently unattainable ideals. As humans, no matter how much we accomplish, there's always another potential step above us.

Every accomplishment has a glass ceiling which we have the potential to break through; sometimes we make that next step -- sometimes we don't, and any number of variables can determine if or when that happens. Even if we manage that step there's always another . . . then another.

I do believe in effort. and doing my best -- and I'm capable of accomplishing that.

Aiming for perfection would mean I'd never, ever, hit the mark . . . which would be an impossible way to live.

i work like a machine. choose something i think will sell. do my best on it. try to improve on technique or speed. this one will be better than the last or at least the same. move on to next, forget about last and move forward another click.

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

Good one Mike... click forward!

Wendy: "I don't believe in summits or perfection, and refuse to carry the burden of trying to attain those patently unattainable ideals."

I draw a distinction between summits (or personal "bests") and perfection.

I completely agree with you about perfection as an unattainable ideal. That's like trying to reach mathematical infinity on a number line, by definition it is always beyond reach.

Summits are different, to use another metaphor, a "summit" is a high water mark of personal performance. I do see it as a worthy goal to do better than I did in the past, or to at least strive to do better.

Sometimes.

In some areas, it doesn't make sense to rank achievements that are fundamentally not measurable -- like the quality of "best-ness" in friendship... who would want to always be ranking that?) or or not worthwhile -- like tying shoes... once you can tie your shoes competently, what would be the point in aiming to outstrip your personal best in shoe-tying?

". . . your personal best in shoe-tying."

Deep thoughts, Cheryl -- I like that! ;-)

LOL! First you learn the fundamentals of shoe tying and then you get creative with the bow!

In my world: There is no worst. There is no best.

Right Danl, no worst, no best... just the next one.

Very nice Rich.

I try not to have any hopes or expectations when I approach the easel. That's real hard to do but if I operate on the idea that my current painting will be my best ever I'll drive myself crazy, I just hope it doesn't turn out to be a stinker.

Oh David, I have piles of stinkers!

Always trying to improve my skills and techniques,...

Always looking forward to my next shoot and new ways of applying what I've learned.

I love applying the mechanics of the camera on each shot.

I enjoy returning to familiar locations, to reveal them in a different and new ways,....hopefully improving and growing in my vision.

Marty,YES! That's exactly what I mean.

JC,

Thanks!

To me and others here, this thing we do, creating art or trying to create art, is a journey, one that hopefully never ends. There will be parts that are more enjoyable than others, and some not so much fun, but taken in whole, a good and satisfying journey. As in any journey, we can never go back and revisit that place in time, because the place and us, both have changed. To look forward to the next stop, or trail, or segment of the journey, as the "best", to me, isn't fair to ourselves or the journey.

It's a journey, and what makes up that, is a series of steps, some short, some long, but a continuous movement forward and enjoying the highs and lows, equally.

If on my journey, I see something unexpected, that's a reward onto itself. But I don't "hope" that each step will bring the next unexpected treat!

Rich

"Oh David, I have piles of stinkers!"

Don't we all.

I don't "hope" that either, I just have faith it's there.

David, something I have been doing is pulling out some of my stinker paintings and putting them through PhotoShop (although I only have Elements 12). I have made some interesting finds through manipulating them.

I often go through the "stinker" pile to see if I discarded anything prematurely of if maybe my skills have caught up to my original ambition and see if there's anything I should attempt to save. I recently uploaded a painting that was in and out of the stinker pile for nearly two years before I finally resolved it to my satisfaction.

Yeah, me too. I'd love to see the progression you did on that one David.

The next painting I do will be my best one...

No it wont.

It will just be better than those already painted.

I hope each and every new one will be better than the previous one. An unattainable target I know, but one to aim for.

You know creating a piece of art is something like building a house,....

What I mean is,...when you're completed,....

Only you now where all the flaws are,.....they are always there somewhere,... but others do not or cannot see them.

We are soooooo connected to each piece and there's always more there than meets the eye.

Or,......maybe it's just me,.....and I ain't telling where mine are ;-))

Rich;
I think she means trying to better yourself...a good thing. Always strive for improvement over what you have done. This would include all aspects of living right?

Vincent,

Yes. I'm not disagreeing, just suggesting that "best" might not be the right word. As we practice our art, we all learn and improve.......

Rich

I don't think I can call my next work,whether it is painting, or photography,my best.
it really depends on the inspiration and mood of that day.
Yes, I try to improve my work techniques.

Stacie,

I'm with you on that! I enjoy the creation of the art, the process, as much or more than the final product and that's what's great about being an artist, the enjoyment of creating and the satisfaction of a good piece of art, when done. Doesn't HAVE to be the best, just good!

Rich

Rich,...Someone here on FAA had a good verbal comeback,....when asked if you're a professional.

Answer being,...

Professional????,......No just an obsessional.

Works for me.

Marty,

Would you accept "Professionally Obsessed"? LOL!

Rich

Where is your sculpture?

Vincent,

HUH? What are you referring to?

Rich