inspiration digging
Remember Flickr when you actually looked at groups and tried to shoot for them, when you checked out new contacts’ streams, when it was fun? - @tysiscoe on Twitter
That’s why I originally joined Flickr (back in Nov of 2004). It was a very close, fun, and collaborative community then. So much has changed since the mass expansion and the Yahoo! buyout. Not necessarily a change for the worse; just a change.
I’ve been searching through my contacts’ streams, searching through group photo pools, and searching through past Explore pages for the past few weeks. I’m looking for inspiration. And while, not just a year ago, I used to be able to gather inspiration from searching, I find I cannot anymore. There are just too many photo streams doing too many of the same things. Over-saturation, macros, nude to semi-nude self-portraits, and the Flickr staples of sunsets and kittens.
i really think that i could go through life without seeing another photo of a ring propped on a bible that creates a shadow heart -@hchamp on Twitter
Oh yeah, definitely agree here. This is the epitome of how unoriginal some of the streams have become. It’s become so much of a thing that it actually raises my blood pressure when I see these photos now.
So where/how do I find inspiration again? I’ve gone through this before, losing my drive for photography a couple years out of high school. I didn’t pick up a camera again for another 7 years. I don’t want to go that long ever again. Now I force myself to take the G7 with me every where I go. I think it may come to where I force myself to take a few hours here and there to explore with the D50. The point being is that I have to explore. I have to photograph outside of my norm. I have to find something different; stop and see something a different way.
Easier said than done.
we’ve stopped doing drugs since then
This morning, I remembered a conversation between some friends and I from a few Thanksgivings back:
E: If the saying is true, “you are what you eat”, then that would make you a turkey!
D: Yeah? Then that would make you a candied yam.
Me: That was lame.
D: Shutup.
E: And you would be mashed potatoes!
Me: Okay, this conversation is really lame. Besides, if that were true both of you would be full of s—
D’s mom: Patrick!
Me: I was going to say “stuffing”!
two quotes found in my feeds this morning
“I recovered my immense will to live when I realized that the meaning of my life was the one I had chosen for it.” — Paolo Coelho
In 31 years of life, this is the first time I’ve ever heard/read this quote. And I’m in love with it because it simply puts every part of my life into perspective. There’s no more “search”, there’s only “choice”. I love it.
“Everything you want in the world is just right outside your comfort zone.” - Jennifer Aniston
I like the commentary from pizzicato on this quote, because I agree. But it’s a good quote nonetheless. And it does carry a lot of truth with it.
in other words: deborah
cour·age
In other words, Deborah D. Lattimore.
grilling steaks
grilling steaks, originally uploaded by [fishlamp].
I seem to have fallen out of the cooking habit. But I do feel some “inspiration” again. I’ve flagged some recipes that I want to try, as well as some go-to meals that I used to make.
I think that once I start cooking again, it may inspire me to start photographing a little more. We’ll see.
Taken Sept 9th, 2007
Nikon D50
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D lens
© 2008: fishlamp photography
I pretty much think this photo is awesome
by Benj Haisch
I don’t know these people. I don’t know the photographer either. But when I saw this picture, I couldn’t help but feel connected to all of them. Why? Can’t you just feel the emotion - the happiness and elation - coming from them? Don’t you feel awesomely happy for them? Don’t you feel like you’ve known them forever, like they’re your close friends and that you’re all going out to celebrate together?
I do… and that’s why I love this photo so much.
five people
The Five People You Meet in Heaven arrived, via Netflix, the other day. I watched it last night and was a little surprised by it. It was better than I had been giving it credit for. I enjoyed the book and just assumed that the movie would butcher it. I do still like the book better, and there were parts of the book not included in the movie.
The movie felt like a made-for-tv movie, mainly because it was. But the break points (for commercial breaks) seemed to ruin the pace of the movie. I guess it would have made more sense had we watched it while it was originally broadcast.
And the casting of Jon Voight bothered me. I’m not sure why. I’m very indifferent to Jon Voight (neither liking him nor disliking), but his presence in this movie bothered me. Again, I cannot pinpoint why.
It’s a good story. I fully recommend the book to any who haven’t yet read it. The movie? It’s worth watching once you’ve read the book.
yma sumac
A couple weeks ago I heard, via NPR, that Yma Sumac had passed away at age 86. They played samples of her amazing work, performed with a voice that spans over 5 octaves! So I looked into more, and found that I could listen to her for hours upon hours. What an invaluable contribution she has made to the arts.
One of the most beautiful scenes ever
photo by: John Lehmkuhl
John (realkuhl, on Flickr) recently posted this photo, which is full of life and color. It’s hard to imagine this place exists, and in Portland nonetheless! I love this photo so much I had to share it here. Please visit his photostream for more great pictures.
A Capella Tribute to John Williams (brilliant!)
Found on Linda’s Posterous:
The music lover within me loves this.
The nerd within me has already married it.
