WHAT ARE YOU HIDING?- MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY

As I was reading the names of authors who share some significant life events on January 24th, I noticed it was Virginia Woolf’s birthday. I clicked on the hyperlink to read a few quotes and this quote jumped out at me. I realize that it is more about Jane Austen than Virginia Woolf, but it caused me to question the act of hiding what we are creating. Which, in turn, caused a little searching for information. I finally had to put the self-imposed kibosh on the research before it was no longer Woolf’s birthday, …

CAPTURING REALITY- MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY

A photographer who isn’t interested in the photograph? It sounds odd at first, but I spent some time pondering this Henri Cartier-Bresson quote. While my thoughts may not be exactly what Cartier-Bresson intended, I have a few ideas to share.

FRACTION OF A SECOND - MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY

That fraction of a second is one of the many things that fascinates me about photography. How about you?

SKETCHING WITH YOUR CAMERA- MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY

The camera is a sketchbook?! If you think that’s just “crazy talk”, let’s discuss it a bit more before you decide.

IS THE “WORST” OF YOUR PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY BEHIND YOU?- MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY

Wow! I bet this Henri Cartier-Bresson quote got your attention. It grabbed my attention the first time I read it. As I thought about what this esteemed French street photographer said, I think there is some truth to the quote. I agree with the message. But, I disagree on one small detail. Let’s dig a little deeper.

ANSEL ADAMS' MOONRISE - CELEBRATE THE ARTIST

I would be remiss if I let the birthday of Ansel Adams pass without paying homage to him and his contributions to this art form I enjoy. After all these many years, and technological advances, I still find the Zone System his is credited with pioneering, the best way to achieve tonal range, or values, in an image. I could go on and on about his contributions to photography, but I thought it would be interesting to look at one of his famous images - Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico.

Inspiration and InfluencesSuZan AlexanderFebruary 20, 2019SuZan AlexanderArt, Artist, Photographer, Ansel AdamsComment

VIVIAN MAIER'S COLOR PHOTOS - ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

I have written a couple of posts about Vivian Maier. However, for those of you new to Ms. Maier’s name, she was a street photographer shrouded in mystery because her work went unseen until boxes of negatives, prints, and unprocessed film was acquired by chance. There is a documentary, “Finding Vivian Maier”, which was nominated for an Academy Award, that explores a little more about the photographer if you are so inclined to explore her story further. But, I feel like she is a mystery, and perhaps, that is the way she wanted it. We will never know for sure what her thoughts or wishes might have been, but that has not deterred the surge of interest in her work.

Inspiration and InfluencesSuZan AlexanderFebruary 1, 2019Art, Artist, Vivian Maier, PhotographerComment

YOUSUF KARSH - ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

The Artist Spotlight for December is Yousuf Karsh (December 23, 1908 - July 13, 2002). I am particularly fond this Yousuf Karsh quote, so I wanted to share it with you as we celebrate him. For me, this quote sums up the difference between TAKING a photograph and MAKING a photograph. Anyone can “take” a photograph, but the alchemy of “making” a photograph is an entirely different skill set that employs art, science, light, creativity, emotion, story ... As I learn more about Karsh, this quote also reflects his personal style and approach to photography. But who was Yousuf Karsh…

Inspiration and InfluencesSuZan AlexanderDecember 23, 2018Quote, Photography, Yousuf Karsh, Artist, PhotographerComment

GENESIS OF THE TEXAS COWBOY EXHIBIT - MUSEUM MONDAY

VAQUERO EXHIBIT AT THE BELL COUNTY MUSEUM

Last week, I had the opportunity to visit the Bell County Museum in Belton, Texas. I planned my visit specifically to see the current exhibit, Vaquero: Genesis of the Texas Cowboy (September 8 through December 29, 2018). This exhibit is a traveling exhibition featuring William D. (Bill) Wittliff’s photography.

Inspiration and InfluencesSuZan AlexanderNovember 26, 2018Art, Artwork, Photography, Museum, Museums, Photographer, Bill WittliffComment

FOUR THINGS ABOUT ROBERT CAPA - (ARTIST SPOTLIGHT)

Several years ago, I watched a documentary that has fascinated me, and haunted me for years. The 2011 documentary, directed by Trisha Ziff is The Mexican Suitcase. It tells the story of the recovery of over 4,000 film negatives of the Spanish Civil War captured by photographers Robert Capa, Gerda Toro, and David 'Chim' Seymore. The negatives were considered lost since 1939 so their discovery in a suitcase in Mexico in 2007 is quite the story. I know the documentary is available to rent through Amazon, and is well worth the rental fee.

ESSENTIAL IRVING PENN

Last year, I read about a retrospective exhibit of the American photographer, Irving Penn (June 16, 1917 - 2009). The retrospective was organized by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in conjunction with The Irving Penn Foundation as a celebration of the artist’s 100th birthday. For those of you visiting, or living in, Germany, the Centennial exhibit is now on view at the C/O Berlin (March 24 - July 1, 2018). If you are lucky enough to visit the exhibit of over 240 works created by this prolific artist whose photographic career spans seven decades and encompass multiple genres, I am going to admit, right up front, I am several shades of green with envy.

PHOTOGRAPHER MARGARET BOURKE-WHITE

Let’s add another strong, independent, talented, female photographer to our Artist Spotlight for June. Today is American photographer, Margaret Bourke-White’s birthday (6/14/1904 - 8/27/1971). I remember hearing Margaret Bourke-White's name in photography courses, but I do not remember that her work was shown. Nor do I remember that her life, accomplishments, and work were discussed at length. I decided to remedy that for myself by actively seeking out books and other information about Bourke-White.

JOURNAL

VAQUERO EXHIBIT AT THE BELL COUNTY MUSEUM