There are times when stepping out of a comfort zone is a necessity. As a writer I love words, but trying to work with images and taking photographs can become frustrating. But rather than ignore what I consider a weakness, I have embraced it and work it into my daily routine, improving bit by bit as I go along.
Spending time with photographers like
Greg Grimsley,
Ray Harkness, and
Brian Fee, watching and listening to the manner in which they photograph I have gleamed some valuable insights. Once home, however, the task is up to me as to what I do and create with the pictures I have captured.
My inability to edit photographs from their raw form has never stopped me form trying. In The Imagineering Workout, Chuck Ballew, a Senior Concept Designers, states, “Make a lot of mistakes. Do a ton of worthless testing. Use up paper and pencils, paint and brushes, water and glue – whatever you need.” This is a concept I have taken and run with, creating exercises for myself.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1l6J8Rzx-_l4OKXW-Le5ORDv6BbYHOyXiDcZ-2tjn4hmnf53TmXmVqSBj2hSoW_iOKroiHZ6jCw8K4I3x7N1zuxJlk3oLsCU3K0BS00Cc0WZZgAQGy51fZ1rsC3HBA2ibnlt3ByHzRHo/s400/The+Hollywood+Tower+Hotel+(Before+%5B04-08%5D).JPG)
One example is this photograph of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, otherwise known as The Hollywood Tower Hotel. I wanted to give the structure an image that suited the era in which it was created, the 1930s. But rather than simply assign a sepia tone through basic photo imaging, I took time to work with the contrasts, tones, brightness, saturation, and a variety of other variables. It took more time, and perhaps did not come out as perfect as I would have wished, but it gave experience with skills and details I didn’t even know about a year ago, it cracked me out of the mold of simply using words to express my creativity, and sparked the creative juices. The result of my exercise is below.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPYIhiYPwHOJvry6u-E0qW7t-9HMvn1wKdWlmpTil92GBExb46lYKVhMfV0gWxLfn9Bcz-bXlWYrYXfT4Kn_XUG-6i6pm9n7J7vcwsWG9KMHt_qA0mcpV1PhlrHh6RxKeS6hJmuLfTVk/s400/The+Hollywood+Tower+Hotel+(After+%5B04-08%5D).JPG)
While you may or may not need help in creating a picture perfect picture, chances are there is something that you are not an expert at and feel you never will be. While you may never be a master of writing, photography, public speaking, roller skating, ping pong, painting, gardening, or rock, paper, scissors you should never let that stop you. Start a project, make mistakes, learn from them, and keep trying. You just might surprise yourself!
2 comments:
"The Imagineering Workout" is inspirational. It dares you to try things (and in my case buy things like toys and such to stretch my creativity). Ryan, I look to Ray, Brian, and Tim as people I strive to shot like. So thanks for lumping me their company. I am honored; but please, you come up with some stunning photos and you definately have an eye for details.
I second that you have a great eye for detail, and have shown us some fantastic photos!
I am very much an amateur photographer, but I love trying out new things with the camera. Love your shot of the ToT - very 'era' appropriate!
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