Bold. Strong. Dynamic.
There is an energy to this image that gives me a “zing” every time I look at it. I created it this way. From the choice of the rainbow colors, to the multiple exposure/zoom effect. It was all chosen. And it needed to be this way… I had a softer, dreamier version of the same tree in progress but this one stood proudly and said, “Who are you kidding? You know I’m it.”
So why does it make me uncomfortable? Because it does make me uncomfortable, in some weird way. I shared on social media but never shared it here on the blog. I did a test print and took it down from my wall after a week because I didn’t want to look at it any more.
It makes me uncomfortable because it is bold. There is an in-your-face nature to this one. You have to make a choice. Do you like it or not? It doesn’t allow you to sit back and scroll by, saying, “That’s nice, ho hum.” You have a reaction, good or bad. That’s what makes me uncomfortable. I don’t want to make you, the viewer, uncomfortable.
And if I’m uncomfortable with that, if I’m uncomfortable with asking the viewer, myself included, to make a choice, what does that say about me as an artist? Am I playing it too safe? Am I making pretty pictures when I could make bold, dynamic ones? Ones that jump out and ask for a reaction?
Maybe, just maybe. Something I’m going to have to think about a good long while. I’m going to have to be sure I’m not pulling away from the uncomfortable, just to be safe. I need to make sure I’m not avoiding confrontation or conflict, even within myself.
The best art asks the viewer to make a choice. And that’s what I want to create.
August was an interesting month. I didn’t take as many pictures as in July, but it was so much better in terms of creativity. That feeling of productivity and creativity probably came because I was pointing my camera at and editing subjects I liked better, rather than mostly family vacation. But maybe also because I was pushing myself in some new directions, like with this month’s Photo-Heart Connection. I really can’t believe this one came out the strongest, after writing it off as a failed experiment earlier in the month. But my heart knew better, it had a message for me. A strong one too, that I’m going to have to consider.
What’s your Photo-Heart Connection? Was it hard or easy to hear this month? Was it a gentle reminder or a bold sharp poke like mine? There is always something for you to learn in the process. I look forward to reading what it was for you.
A few reminders...
- I have a giveaway going on right now! Visit here for the details and to enter. I'll announce the winner on September 3rd.
- It's the last few days of registration for Find Your Eye: Journey of Fascination. We start the journey on September 8th. Join us to build a stronger connection between photos and heart.
- Did you know you could sign up to receive the blog via email? You won't ever miss another post! You'll find the sign up on the top of the blog sidebar.
I like it. I like that it’s bold and mysterious, that in the core-even tho it’s dark there’s more clarity and that around it lighter, but confusing choices in life’s rainbow of color.
Glad for you that you’ve been feeling more creative. I have noticed that if I don’t get a chance for creativity-if I have to go several days without it, it leaves something empty inside. I need to be creative, whether I have the time to do it or not.
Will be by to the PHC later to add mine. Thanks for hostessing this.
“I need to be creative, whether I have the time to do it or not.” So true, for so many of us!
A provocative piece – that thought of being afraid of our own work – afraid to generate a reaction, be it positive or negative. As someone who shies away from confrontation, I can relate to this issue on a personal level but I hadn’t really thought about it in terms of my art. Am I playing it safe? That one I need to think about.
It’s a hard thing to contemplate, when we want to avoid confrontation, isn’t it? Reaction can go either way.
Kat, this picture makes me uncomfortable, too, not because it is bold but because looking at it makes me feel jittery. The “zing” it gives me is more like an electric shock. That said (and it’s hard to say it!), beauty is very much in the eye of the beholder and I’m sure many others would see it very differently than I do. I agree with you that it’s important not to let fear of others’ reactions hold you back from expressing yourself in your art.
I have to admit that I held back in my PHC this month. I saw symbolism in the image I chose that I wasn’t ready to put into writing for public consumption, but contemplating it was meaningful and helpful to me anyway. This is always a worthwhile exercise and I’m grateful for it – and for your leadership in visiting the hard places.
I know what you mean by the electric shock of this piece. It forces you to react, doesn’t it? And the reaction doesn’t have to be positive. On holding back on your PHC, it’s totally ok to have a private Photo-Heart Connection. In fact, hearing you say that just strengthens my belief in this process. It’s hearing the message from your heart that is important, not the sharing.
It makes me uncomfortable too, but in a different way. I find that it excites my being to the very core.
Vi
“…excites my being to the very core.” Wow! Thanks Vi!
I like it. But it does make me uncomfortable. It makes me feel sort of dizzy to look at it. It doesn’t seem relaxing. That may be what you were going for. I like the color and the under water type of look. But, I scroll past quickly because it’s too dizzying.
I know what you mean – you can’t look at it long!
There is an energy to this one, Kat. It’s vibrating! That must be the Zing you feel and see. It is a neat piece. The rainbow color was a nice touch. Thanks for sharing!
Vibrating is a good word for it. That’s not always a comfortable feeling!
I just LOVE this. No hesitation at all! But then, I adore trees! There’s a HUGE tree in the town center where I work. Sometimes I go and stand under it and look up just to dizzy myself. And the forests in Oregon do this to me. Those really staggering, huge trees have this dizzying effect when we stand right under them. And I LOVE that feeling of imbalance. Of I am small and the natural world is greater by far than anything I could ever imagine! That’s what this photo does for me 🙂
A purple tree demands a choice be made, and I think that’s good. I think it’s bold and in your face about manipulating the photograph to tell your story, rather than the conventional story of that tree. And not everyone appreciates that approach to photography. I think it’s true to who you are as a photographer but this photograph makes the statement loudly and proudly. Maybe you aren’t ready to come out just yet?
Or, at least, that’s what I see when I look at this photograph in relationship to the rest of your work. I hope that makes sense to you, and thanks for the thought provoking post!
I took tons of photographs in August and will post my PHC soon!
Rinda
It’s interesting because I’ve been creating artwork this year that often makes people feel uncomfortable but it felt like it was something I needed to do, a part of me that needed expressing in some way. I actually like this image but I know what you mean about it. It does make a statement and I think people will either like it or not. I say listen to your heart . . . often when we experience discomfort we also experience growth.
Wow! It definitely challenges the viewer — its strong energy really pushes me to react. I have to say it is a little unsettling, but not in a negative way. I admire the way you are challenging yourself and us.
I like the piece! I was interested to read your comments about the piece making you uncomfortable. To me, this piece is still very much you. Maybe with some bolder colours, but I still see softness in the blur. And, of course, the tree silhouette!
Thanks for your comment, Jill! It’s interesting to hear that you still see “me” in it, even though it pushes my boundaries a bit.
I like how you push the envelope with your photography. Very cool image and thank you for hosting.
I think the ripples of color are lovely! But you’re right, it doesn’t matter what one person thinks either way… as long as they have a feeling or reaction to it, it’s art. Good for you!
I find this image fascinating! I’m not uncomfortable with it at all, which is strange since I lean toward earthy colors and very little editing. I could hang this in my home and be inspired every time I looked at it. Yes, it does have a lot of energy, but I see happy, joyful energy. It makes me want to stand up and be bold. Bold in my self and also in my photography! Thanks, Kat, for sharing it!