Tag Archives: photography

photography as a healing art – chapter one

By gotham girl | Published February 22, 2012

Through the Eyes of a Child

Were you fascinated by photographs as a child? I can remember looking at photo albums time and time again growing up.  There was a certain comfort, a feeling of being safe, the warmth of family.

I’m so thrilled that my mother and grandmother loved to take family photos.  What would I do now without them?  The one above provides so many memories for me now. My twin sisters with their identical clothing, my mom’s sense of fashion, the dinnerware on the bar that I now have today, the violets my mom grew prolifically on the window sill, the bar stools that we sat on for every meal together as a family.  It takes me right back to that time…a time I’ll never forget.

During my corporate years I rarely took photos.  But I did have one picture that went with me to every office I occupied throughout my career.  One of a small sail boat on a body of calm water.  It had a Monet feel to it.  Whenever I had stressful days (and boy there were lots of them!) I would go into my office, close the door and just gaze at that picture.

Now I find myself capturing moments like that with my camera.  Whether it’s a scene in Central Park, dried grasses on the farm, or cacti in the desert, it’s looking through the lens and having similar feelings like I did when I looked at those photographs as a child.  There’s a wave of comfort and warmth that comes over me as I try my best to capture those feelings to share with you.

Next week:  Chapter Two – Seeing Our Way Clear

(This is the beginning of a series of posts on Jan Phillips’ book, God is at Eye Level, Photography as a Healing Art.  You can visit the first post here.)

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photography as a healing art

By gotham girl | Published February 16, 2012

 

Walk in the woods

“Are you a photographer?”  The first question that many people ask when they see my camera.  I’ve always struggled with that question and hesitation creeps in to provide an answer.

So when do you call yourself a photographer?  Anyone with a camera or an iPhone can take photos.  But does that make you a photographer?  I’ve always thought you’d call yourself a photographer when you made money at it, and I’m far from that happening especially in today’s world of thousands of photographers.  Then when I think of “amateur photographer” for some reason it doesn’t seem to represent the seriousness of my passion for photography. To me in today’s world, amateur seems to have more of a meaning like you don’t quite measure up, you don’t qualify as a professional, and in general…you’re not really that good at something.  Thus, my struggle.

So today, while reading one of several new books that I recently ordered, finally someone makes sense with the term amateur photographer.  Jan Phillips’ book, God is at Eye Level, Photography as a Healing Art nails it for me.  I needed to be reminded that the latin root of the word amateur is the verb amare, to love.  An amateur is someone who does something for the pure pleasure of it.  Now here’s another important part.  “For an amateur, the important thing is the experience, not the accomplishment.”  To be totally honest here, I do want my photographs to have impact, to evoke some sort of emotion when someone views them, but the bottom line for me is the experience.

Whether I’m on the farm or in my city or in the desert or on my travels, I enjoy the experience.  I enjoy getting lost in a field of weeds, a section of the woods or the desert, a neighborhood in MY city or a brand new country…and by getting lost I mean, hours go by and it seems like minutes.  It’s getting so excited the moment my eyes lands on the subject…the experience of varying the composition…the capture…then the process of downloading my photos in an eagerness to view the outcome.  Simple, yet thrilling to me.

Just reading this section of Phillips’ book has finally given me the confidence to say, I’m an amateur photographer and feel good about it!  What about you?  Have you ever struggled with this?  I’d love to hear your thoughts.

On a side note, Phillips dedicates her book to “all the photographers who are using their vision in the service of community and compassion, making images that inspire us and remind us of the beauty that is ours to safeguard and honor.”  I’m so struck with her spiritual teachings that I’m going to re-read each chapter, reflect and share my thoughts with you.  So once a week, look for the title of my post, Photography as a Healing Art.  I will welcome your thoughts!

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eli

By gotham girl | Published February 5, 2012

eli

How often does one get to hang in a very artsy and homey apartment in the upper west side and talk photography all evening long and get a personal slide show from a world renowned photographer?

Eli Reed was raised in poverty, worked as an orderly in a hospital’s cancer unit and put himself through Newark School of Fine and Industrial arts where he learned photography and the art of printing.  He then worked at a newspaper and years later became a highly respected photographer, not only at Magnum but built a reputation as one of the best photographers in the motion picture industry.  And oh, what a storyteller he is!  His amazing stories took us through a time he accepted a volunteer position to help teach photography to inmates at a prison in upstate New York, putting himself right in the middle of a prison that the Ku Klux Klan was heavily represented… to his numerous experiences everywhere from war zones to the White House.

Today he makes his home in Austin, Texas and works as a professor of photojournalism at the University of Texas.  What advice does he have for his students and other young photographers?  Stop talking theory…don’t over-think the image…trust your instincts and listen to people.   What a pleasure and an unforgettable experience…

 

 

 

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totally clueless

By gotham girl | Published January 27, 2012
Joanne Trattoria NYC

captured at the bar - joanne trattoria nyc

Often ignorance is bliss and last night was one of those times.

Having walked in the rain from the Howard Greenberg Gallery to see the Vivian Maier exhibit, a cozy bar to duck into was in order to cut the chill. Something close to 25 Central Park West as the next stop was to attend the PWP’s opening reception, 22 imaginings.  But before I continue, let me tell you a little about both of these events.  First, if you aren’t familiar with Vivian Maier’s work, her photography was recently discovered by a young man (John Maloof) in Chicago.  He came across thousands of rolls of film, prints and negatives of Vivian’s work at a local auction house.  These images were shared with virtually no one in her lifetime.  She was a master of self-portraits and concentrated mainly on children, women, the elderly and the indigent.  Her photography is just incredible.  There’s only a few days left of her exhibit here in the city, so if you’re in the area this is a must see.  Now on to the Cuba exhibit.  Exhibits at 25CPW are always enjoyable and the images captured by 22 incredible photographers’ journey to Cuba did not disappoint. A great space to showcase photography, but very intimate as well.  The talent in this group is mind blowing and I’m so happy to be a member!

OK, now its time to go to the ignorance is bliss part.  There’s a small red awning located on West 68th Street with Joanne written on it.  A glance through the window revealed a warm cozy atmosphere.  Yep, exactly what’s needed to take the chill away.  A grey goose on the rocks fit the bill, and Zack our bartender was excellent with his pour(s).  While chatting, a woman approaches and introduces herself as Cynthia and offers to give us a tour of the restaurant.  Not realizing it upon entry, the restaurant wasn’t officially open yet. Just the bar was “open” and she was so eager to showcase the adorable outside back patio, the chef’s table for private dining, as well as make introductions to the chef and others.  Local, small, warm, a good pour at the bar and a wood fired oven in the kitchen immediately told me a return visit was in order.

So imagine my surprise this morning when I checked out their website (which is still in the works) and made the connection.  This is the restaurant that is owned by Lady Gaga’s parents. Cynthia is her mother.  I am so happy for the ignorance part.  It made the introduction so much more exciting AFTER connecting the dots!  Absolutely, a return visit is in order and if last night’s experience is any indication as to their future success, I can tell you Lady Gaga herself is NOT needed here.  Her parents have it going on! So happy to have this restaurant in the hood here in the Upper West Side.  Stay tuned for a future review!

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an epiphany

By gotham girl | Published January 26, 2012

This week I had an epiphany about my photography!

But, let me back up.  I mentioned a few posts ago that I’d started an on-line photography class, Susannah Conway’s Photo Meditations.  Besides her incredible teaching style (and UK accent!) the fabulous part about this class is sharing photos from our weekly assignments and receiving feedback from other classmates.  Every day I carve out time to view and comment on the work of others and since there are so many, one can’t take the time to study them all. So I click on a photo and only if it immediately speaks to me do I comment.  (And as mentioned before, receiving comments on your photography in your in-box throughout the day is SO uplifting!)

Well what I’ve found out about my photography is that I’m finally honing in on what I love to photograph and what I love to look at.

Wabi – Sabi.

If you’re familiar with the term then I applaud you.  I on the other hand, had never heard of it.  The term and short write-up in Catherine Anderson’s book, The Creative Photographer, caught my eye.  She explains that wabi-sabi is all about seeing beauty in the old.  As she mentions, we often pass right by old things, not noticing the beauty in the color of the patina on an old pipe or the peeling of paint on an old door.  She goes on to talk about how society emphasizes the beauty of the young, but often fails to notice the amazing beauty of an elderly person whose experiences are shown in their wrinkles and wise eyes. The page in her book stopped me dead in my tracks.  I realized for the first time, I see with wabi-sabi eyes.  The beauty in the elderly, the vintage pieces I collect, the photos I love to capture of old wood, rust patterns, and peeling paint.  So much beauty comes with age.

But I needed to learn more.  So this week time was spent on the internet to research wabi-sabi to better understand the term and to make absolutely sure it’s a word that will apply to my photography.

Now let me back up even more.  My love has always been for old stuff; vintage, worn, used, rustic, primitive, handcrafted.  I’ve collected so many items from my parents and grandparents; quilts, dinnerware, knitted sweaters, hats, and many household items too numerous to mention.  Several years ago after spending a long time visiting an elderly man, his daughter gave me his black leather chair when he passed away. Every time I look at that chair I think of my 96 year old friend sitting and reading his New York Times.  There’s no trading any of these items for the world.  The list goes on and on.

But I hadn’t connected my love of old stuff with my photography until this class.  You see wabi-sabi is the ancient Japanese art of finding beauty in things that are imperfect, old and worn.  Salvaged materials, handcrafted, vintage.  There’s a subtle spiritual side to it as well, as its roots lie in Zen Buddhism. (Can it get any more perfect?)  In Robyn Griggs Lawrence’s books (writer and speaker on topics ranging from green building to spiritual design to organic gardening) it’s all about “appreciating the simple and letting go of the superficial – the perfect antidote for a society in recovery from a decades-long consumerist binge.”

Now let me go a step further.  How nicely this fits in with my desire to help with Alzheimer’s through reminiscence photo therapy.  Ahhh…it’s all coming together!

So much to say, so much to learn, so much to do with this new found direction!  Now it’s off to spend a day at the New York City Public Library to learn all about wabi-sabi because there’s nothing better than turning the page of a real book!  Stay tuned!

tricycle at Arcosanti

captured at arcosanti in arizona

 Wabi suggests freshness and simplicity.  Sabi describes a beauty that is burnished by age…It’s a zen notion, a fleeting, imperfect accidental beauty – unpretentious, simple and intimate.  Wabi-sabi is akin to the inherent beauty within, something you can’t put your finger on…to open your senses to every detail, every glimmer, every breath of the breeze.  That is all part of wabi-sabi.  Daisuke Utagawa

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gaining confidence

By gotham girl | Published January 17, 2012

Cat in a mesquite tree
After noticing this cat up a mesquite tree in the neighborhood, I had to return the following morning in hopes she was gone.  And sure enough, she was.  At some time she gained her confidence, pulled up her big girl panties and headed down as easily as she headed up.  Ahhh…gaining that confidence…

Constantly asking myself, will my photograph turn out as intriguing as I hope?  Will the viewers like it?  Will they feel what I’m feeling? Always questioning myself… So lately I’m feeling a touch more confident in my photography.  I started a five week on-line course (more on that later!) and each week we post images to an on-line photo sharing site (Flickr) for other classmates to view.

So every day now, I’m getting little boosts of confidence…
…wonderful shot – love everything (light, dof, composition) just great
                       …gorgeous – simply stunning
                                …beautiful capture and so soothing
                                       …the extraordinary of the ordinary: wonderful

Of course I’m thrilled and so appreciative that people take the time to express their feelings.   Isn’t it amazing what little comments can do to help build our confidence?  What a daily inspiration! Thanks to everyone who takes the time to leave comments on my blog.  It does wonders for the soul!

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cosanti

By gotham girl | Published January 7, 2012

No better way to feed the soul and inspire the creativity than spending several hours at Paolo Soleri’s Cosanti right here in the hood in Scottsdale.  Mr. Soleri has built himself quite a place of earth-formed concrete structures to showcase his bronze and ceramic windbells for which he is so famous.  After studying at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesen West during the 1940′s, he returned from Italy in the 50′s and purchased this incredible piece of property right in the heart of the desert.

I visited Cosanti probably 20 years ago, but now with my photography passion it was such a different experience.  I could have stayed for days meandering the courtyards and paths…sitting under the olive trees…just experiencing…

Sharing a few of my favorites…and hoping you enjoy them as well!  If you’re ever in the Phoenix area of Arizona, this is a must see!

cosanti

 

Soleri windbell shadows

 

colorful wall at cosanti

cosanti cactus

Cosanti Windbells

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2012 intentions

By gotham girl | Published January 3, 2012

 

 

For some reason intentions make more sense to me than resolutions.  I intend to do this…I intend to do that…instead of that dreadful word…(ugh)…resolve.

So with that said, what do I intend to do in 2012?

Let’s start with photography.  Do I want to grow up and be a famous photographer?  No.  Do I want my photography to make an impact?  Yes.

So my intentions this year continues with my love affair…with improving, learning, experimenting, getting out of my comfort zone…having an impact with my photography.

Let’s start with improving and learning…I intend to continue shooting daily. I’ve learned this is absolutely THE best way to improve.  Adding to that is increasing my technical skills by learning lightroom which is a software that organizes photos (I have volumes!) and provides the ability to tweak for change or improvement.  After that comes photoshop elements which will assist my desire to experiment.

Experimenting and getting out of my comfort zone…I intend to be diligent in getting my photography out in the world and not just posting on my blog.  I’ve joined several groups on Flickr and look forward to feedback from other photographers.  I intend to share more of my photography thoughts, challenges, successes as well as failures…as I continue to blog about living in NYC (and the Sonoran desert and the farm!) and traveling the world.  Mixed media photography (which is where the photoshop comes in) is an area of interest and even though many people think this hampers the true sense of photography, I feel it’s simply a different way of creating a picture.  It’s art.  Artists play.  I intend to play.

Having an impact…I’m embarking on a huge project.  A project that will showcase two very important people in my life.  My parents.  More details to come, but a portion of this project has to do with Alzheimer’s.  My father has this dreadful disease and my mother is the caregiver.  Need I say more?  I want my photography to have an impact.  First, to bring awareness to the disease.  It blows my mind to read that every 69 seconds, someone in America develops this disease and by mid-century? Every 33 seconds. Somehow I want to help.   I recently came across the term “Reminiscence Therapy” and that’s a perfect description for what I want to do with my art.  By using photos from the past it gives the person with Alzheimer’s a sense of value, importance, belonging and peace.  How incredible would it be if I am able to help just one person? I intend to do just that.

As important as photography is to me, friendships are right there as well.  I intend to surround myself with friends who really care, friends who want to spend quality time with no expectations.  Friends who are incredibly passionate about what they’re doing.  And I mean passionate.  Fired up, excited, can’t wait to wake up and do it type passion.  Because when you surround yourself with people like that, you can’t help but get all fired up yourself.  Right? But friendships take work, and that’s what I intend to do.  Provide that love and attention through shared experiences and moments and common bonds.

You know they always say…write it down, tell people…and it’ll happen.  So folks, there you have it. My intentions for 2012.  Here’s to an incredible journey!

“Teach this triple truth to all:

A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.”

Buddha

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look up!

By gotham girl | Published October 24, 2011

Doesn’t it seem we’re always in a hurry and we often don’t take the time to look up?

Well looking UP in NYC is a must. Otherwise you’ll miss out on a number of architecturally significant buildings in styles spanning many historical and cultural periods.

One of the many reasons I love living in this city is the architecture and it starts within my own neighborhood, the Upper West Side. Great afternoon event learning about historical buildings within a couple blocks from my front door. The bonus? Lead by local Upper West Sider, photographer and professor of photography at NYU…John Hart. Thanks to Landmark West for putting it together and for John’s photography and history lessons!

Some favorites…

They certainly don’t make them like they used to and thank god we have preservation groups ready to pounce at any moment!

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gallery hopping in chelsea

By gotham girl | Published October 5, 2011

Nine galleries, three hours and ten amazing photography exhibits? It was rough, but someone had to do it. And…there’s nothing better to get the creative juices flowing than being in the center of New York’s art scene in Chelsea.

New to the group, Professional Women Photographers based in New York, it was a chance to enhance my ongoing passion with photography by joining in on this member outing.

The one photographer that stood out the most to me was August Sander. At the age of 46 in 1922 he started a project, People of the Twentieth Century. Every day he’d bike to a different area around his hometown in Germany and take photographs of every day people; tradesmen, farmers, gypsies, aristocrats, you name it. His mission? To categorize his subjects by profession or social class. Types instead of individuals.

Although his plan was to capture some 600 portraits of his countrymen, he produced a book which the Nazis eventually banned, in addition to raiding his studio and destroying many of his photos. Simply because his images did not represent the master race they wished to create.

After the Nazis were defeated, the negatives that did survive were reclaimed, newly printed and today provides a showcase of people at a specific time in history.

As we left the Walther Collection project space, I glanced back and saw a black sweater left by someone. The gallery quiet from all the chatter of our group, a feeling of loneliness prompted my capture…

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