Insights and musings about photography and the creative process

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Inspiration from Your Couch

My favorite way of refueling the inspiration gas tank whenever I'm feeling creatively blah is going somewhere I've never been before and disconnecting myself from the rest of humanity for a bit. But let’s face it, none of us get to do this nearly enough.

My favorite way of refueling the inspiration gas tank whenever I'm feeling creatively blah is going somewhere I've never been before and disconnecting myself from the rest of humanity for a bit. But let’s face it, none of us get to do this nearly enough. Thankfully, the internet is full of amazing content creators who make it possible for us to travel through space and time and jumpstart our creative batteries without ever leaving our living room couch. I guess that’s a good thing?

Netflix
Netflix has been killing it lately with their original content and these two recently released docu-series are binge-worthy content for any photographer: Tales by Light follows a different photographer in each episode (6 so far) as they explore exotic locations and go to physical extremes to create breathtaking images. Check your pulse if your wanderlust doesn't spike after watching a couple episodes.

Abstract: The Art of Design focuses more on the creative process than photography per se but is just as applicable to us shutterbugs. Each episode delves into the mind of a leading artist/designer to understand their approach to problem-solving and their insights on the nature of human creativity. I'm still working my way through the series but I can highly recommend episode 1 (Christoph Nieman - Illustration) and episode 7 (Platon - Phootgraphy). I think it's a safe bet that the remaining episodes are equally engaging. 

Finally, it’s shameless plug time: most of you don’t know that I produced a documentary film recently. Well, it’s finally made it to Netflix (also available on Amazon , Hulu & iTunes). It’s called In Search of Balance and it has nothing to do with photography, but if you’re interested in the intersection of human health and the natural world including topics like the human microbiome and ‘beyond organic’ natural farming, give it a try. If you like it, your review/rating would be very helpful. You can get more info about the film and see the trailer here

YouTube
No person who ever clicked a shutter is better known than Ansel Adams. But even (or especially) amongst photographers, he’s appreciated more as a master technician than as a great artist. As the inventor of the Zone System and a darkroom virtuoso, Adam’s chops as a master craftsman are indisputable. But Adams was an equally great artist in the truest sense of the word. The PBS film, Ansel Adams, A Documentary Film, captures both sides of the legend. It’s a bit embarrassing to admit but I’ve practically memorized the opening monologue by John Szarkowski. It’s one of the best articulations of what photography, or art for that matter, is ‘about’...at least in my opinion. Highly recommended.  

Maybe I’m just slow, but I just discovered Ted Forbe’s Art of Photography YouTube channel (285K subscribers, 17M views). Ted is an amazingly prolific producer of videos on all aspects of photography including artist profiles, photo gear, techniques and the history of photography. I’ve barely scratched the surface but I can tell you that the content I’ve seen is very well produced and thought out. His profile on legendary photojournalist  W. Eugene Smith is outstanding. It easily holds its own against any commercially produced documentary in terms of both content and production values. I don't agree with everything Ted says but I am in awe of the volume he outputs and I deeply appreciate the service he freely provides. Check it out.

Your Picks
This list is far from exhaustive. I’d love to know if you've discovered any gems related to photography on the interwebs. Let me know in the comments.

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The Santa Barbara Backcountry in Spring

Read my blog to see photographs & stories from our latest photography trip to the Santa Barbara backcountry. Sign-up for our next trip!

Santa Barbara Backcountry MeetUp Recap

Vineyards and mustard blooms make a photogenic combination

Some were scared off by the possibility of rain. Some people just aren’t into camping (something I struggle to comprehend). And I’m sure many others thought I was exaggerating just how spectacular the Santa Barbara backcountry looks at this time of year. Fair enough, but the brave souls who made it to our MeetUp group’s Santa Barbara Backcountry & Night Photography event last weekend were rewarded with a lush landscape in its absolute prime.

Proof
I’m giving up trying to describe in words how picturesque this area is in early Spring.  I’m just not that good of a writer. So here are the pictures.

The Area
The area in question is essentially the Santa Ynez valley and its surroundings. If you’ve ever visited Santa Barbara’s wine country, you’ve been here. The main thoroughfare is Hwy 154 which branches off Hwy 101 in Santa Barbara before rejoining the 101 about 35 miles northwest. Cachuma Lake County Park, where our group stayed, is smack in the middle of the valley and makes a great base of operations. There are a handful of cabins and yurts in addition to hundreds of campsites at the lake. Make reservations, especially if you want a cabin or yurt. Many other lodging options from motels, B&B’s, and even a Vegas-style casino/hotel are available in nearby towns of Santa Ynez, Solvang, Buellton, and Los Olivos.

Now, that's a photographer!

Go Now
You still have about a month of prime conditions left. But at some point in April, depending on how much more rain the valley receives, those emerald hills will become beige and brown. It’s still beautiful but nobody will mistake your photos for Ireland.

Photography Guide
This visit inspired me to put together a Santa Barbara Backcountry Photo Guide. It will include maps, photo locations, places to stay, and other points of interest to photographers. It will be available as a free download here on the artofseeing.com website. It’s still a week or two away from completion but if you want to be notified when it is available, just sign up to receive updates.

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Photo of the Day: Rush Hour

Three fiery steeds gallop into the fading light of dusk. Motion blur and the graceful curve of...

Three fiery steeds gallop into the fading light of dusk. Motion blur and the graceful curve of powerful neck muscles effectively convey the speed and strength of these magnificent beasts. Do you see the third horse in this image?

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Photo of the Day: Ta Prohm Tentacles

Made famous by Angelina Jolie's Tomb Raider film,  many of the ruins of Angkor (Cambodia's historic Khmer empire), have been...

Made famous by Angelina Jolie's Tomb Raider film,  many of the ruins of Angkor (Cambodia's historic Khmer empire), have been 'reclaimed' from the jungle, but much of Ta Prohm has been left as discovered by modern archeologists to showcase how quickly and completely nature obscures evidence of past civilizations.
Recently , new laser technology has revealed the existence of vast cities that have been long since completely swallowed by the jungle.

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