Kat Eye Studio

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Reflected in my Work

When we create a work of art, we put a little piece of ourselves out in the world. Creation is expression of self; a reflection of self. As photographers, we often capture reflections of ourselves without intending to. Here is one such case for me… I loved the texture of the door and lock in this empty old theater in Astoria, Oregon. In the first image I captured, I was reflected in the door window. I noticed and moved to get another shot without my reflection, but in the end, it was the one with my reflected silhouette I liked best.

When I saw the image, it was a visual reminder that we are reflected in our work. The way we see the world, the things we choose to photograph, even the way we frame them are unique to us. Over time, we create a body of work that is an expression of who we are. We can also see our change and growth over time. It’s pretty darn cool to have that epiphany and discover yourself in your artwork.

I don’t know what my love of capturing old textured buildings and door locks says about me, but I know it does reflect a part of me. Maybe some day I’ll figure out what exactly that part is trying to say.

In The Picture

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Photo-Heart Connection: May

What’s behind this door? It must be something important, to have had so many locks on it. It must have been there a long time, to have so many scars.

I know what’s behind this door. It’s a piece of my heart. As much as I’ve allowed my heart to open over the last few years, there is a piece that has remained locked up. Even while the paint has cracked and the door begins to splinter, I keep putting new bars and locks on it. I don’t want it to be unlocked. It will hurt to open what’s inside.

This last door to my heart has to be unlocked. I know it does.

And I’m scared of what’s going to come out. So scared. Maybe the locks all this time haven’t been to protect what’s on the inside, but to protect what’s on the outside.

It’s time to face it, and see what happens. Ready or not, the lock is coming off.

My heart’s message this month cuts to the truth of things in a personal and painful way. When I captured this image last Saturday in Portland, I was interested in the history of that door. So many layers, so many scars. It’s story intrigued me. It wasn’t until I sat down to find my Photo-Heart Connection this month that I discovered the deeper message for me. There are some things that I need to work through. It is time to face them. I feel as if I’m squaring my shoulders and filling myself with fortitude as I reach for the lock this morning.

What is your heart’s message this month? There is one there for you, if you take the time to look. Sit quietly for a little while, clear your mind, then look through your images from May one by one. Is there one that you feel a reaction to in your body? Sit with it for a while, see what it has to say to you. Then write about it, and come back here to link in. We’re here to support and encourage you to listen to your heart, whatever the message.

The Photo-Heart Connection link up for May is open from June 1 to June 7. I look forward to visiting you soon! I’ll be away from the computer the next couple of days but will be by to visit your posts on Sunday. I’ll also be moderating links this month, so please be sure you are following the guidelines, found here.


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What are you doing this Summer?

If you’re looking for something to stretch and grow your photography in the summer months, Find Your Eye: Journey of Inspiration may just be your thing! In this course, you’ll begin to recognize your unique style and deepen your the connection between your photography and your heart and soul. Amazing things happen as a result!

Registration has opened for the summer series of Starting the Journey and Journey of Inspiration. See more about the course series here and you can find registration information here.

I’ve found my eye. It’s full of texture and details that make my heart sing, like this door from Korkula, Croatia.

Won’t you join me to find yours? Class starts June 17.

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Locked Up

What is my fascination with locked doors? I’ve been photographing them for a good long while. I especially love the ones with evidence of multiple locks over time, like this one from Jacksonville, Oregon. All locked up tight, keeping something inside safe. Or keeping something from getting out? It’s hard to know. The lock protects both sides.

I’m starting to wonder if these locked doors aren’t an analogy for something greater for me. Is there more locked up inside myself that needs to be opened up? This creative journey of mine has been one of layers. Layers drifting open, unfurled, blasted away… perhaps now unlocked. I’m trying to find the key.

Today’s post is a Photo-Heart Connection, touching me deeply with a message from my heart. Sometimes these messages come unbidden, you don’t have to go searching for them. You look at the photo and know there is something there. The more you practice with this concept, the easier it becomes to touch the connection. It doesn’t mean that it’s easy to feel though – today’s post leaves me a bit emotional, with the knowledge that there is more work to come around the idea of being unlocked.

The link up for February’s Photo-Heart Connection is still open, through the 7th. I hope that you will consider joining in, sharing your Photo-Heart Connection and journey with us. You will find a wonderful and supportive community here!

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Season’s Change

I know now
why
I did not want
fall
to end.

With the season’s change
I close up,
go inside
and
hibernate.

Dreaming.
Collecting.
Waiting.
To see what is behind
the door
at the next
season’s change.

I don’t know about you, but winter is upon me. I have curled up on my comfy chair with my cat in my lap a lot this week, reading. I have not been very productive, but then I remembered the Spiral of Creativity. Maybe it’s time for me to hang out in the center of the spiral for a while. Go back to the beginning. Allow time for input, for gestation, for the creation of new ideas. Perhaps that’s what winter is all about. It’s time to hibernate. Dream. Rest. I wonder what new ideas will come of this time? I wrap up in my quilt, and wait to see.

Lisa Gordon of The Creative Exchange and I are teaming up this week to give away TWO spots in my January Find Your Eye: Starting the Journey course. Visit The Creative Exchange and leave a comment before Friday evening if you would like to enter to win one of these spaces!

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The Gender Gap in Photography

A few months ago I realized there is a gap in photography. A gender gap. What started this realization was reading this article on the top 20 most influential photography blogs. I noticed that they were, 19 out 20, men. The one woman was a wedding photographer, a type of photography I did not have much interest in. I was shocked. Where were all the women?


I mean, here in my corner of the internet, I see mostly women. Most of my blog followers and online friends are women. Most of the blogs I read and photographers I look up to are women. I learned most of my photography skills from women teachers. I came to photography from scrapbooking, an overwhelmingly female-dominated craft. In my world-view, photography is dominated by women.

I looked around a little bit after reading that article and realized for the first time, that yes, in fact, photography is dominated by men. I was surprised at first, until I realized that so much of what is written out there about photography doesn’t appeal to me, and isn’t about what I value. If I visited those blogs before, they didn’t capture my interest enough to come back, no matter how well-known they were. Either I don’t connect with their writing or their topics. I’m happy that many of these blogs exist, because when I go looking for information on a subject, I can find it. As far as ongoing reading goes, I’m interested in the art of photography. The expression of heart and soul. The connection to other creative people.

I bring this up because I met a new photographer friend for coffee today, and he suggested I look into proposing an article to a magazine he reads. Since I love photography and writing, it’s a perfect combination, don’t you think? Funnily enough, I found myself quickly rejecting the idea. I immediately thought I would not have something to share with a wider photography audience. I joked with him about how the average guy photographer would react to my Find Your Eye classes. “You mean you want me to journal about photography? You’re looking for a connection to my heart? You’ve got to be kidding.” We both chuckled.

Now, there may be some truth to that statement, when speaking about the stereotype. The gender gap, to me, appears real. But I was already rejecting myself before giving the idea serious thought. Why? I have gotten comfortable in this little corner of the internet, and with people who have a similar approach to photography. I’m realizing my view encompasses a very small space in a much, much bigger place.

It seems like a wide chasm out there. I’m wondering how to bridge the gap.

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