The Burden
by Mark ~ August 13th, 2008. Filed under: art, artistry, creativity, philosophy, wonder.
A few different sources (podcasts, articles, blogs) I have come across in the past year or so have talked about the the concept of a burden that weighs down on our creativity. That burden is typically developed by our past experiences by looking at other photographs, hearing or reading about what is defined as good or the way something should be done, or perhaps just by growing up with so many rules.
It is interesting to think about how many photographers likely draw upon their past experiences and what they have learned to develop their own sense of style, or simply in trying to make their images better. Does that inner judge, as Craig Tanner from the Radiant Vista puts it, prohibit us from pushing the limits, or going that next step? Is it possible that this experience and, for lack of better term, growth could actually become a noose to future creativity? You know the saying about old dogs and new tricks. Or is it a matter of simply being more refined in knowing what you like and don’t like?
I threw some of my HDR experiments on the table in some past posts. I think most people preferred the more ‘natural’ looking version in comparison That’s OK with me – I am willing to put an image out there and have a thousand people tell me “Gosh Mark – that sucks.”. 
Just don’t tell me they all do, or I may start taking it personally. 
. Sometimes feedback helps us collect our own thoughts about a new direction when we may be unsure about it. . . HDR is one of those things where I think people are still testing the waters on how they feel and react to it – myself included. . The bluebird image I placed in the previous post, well, I think most people would think that is just plain weird.
It is a strange thing to think about – being more experienced leading to a burden to creativity? Can refinement happen to an extent where your work becomes stale?. Of course, I am asking a lot of rhetorical questions, but I find the possible answers an intriguing thing to think about. . The pursuit of answers to these types of questions is often more beneficial than actually answering them.
(A special thanks to Craig Tanner for pointing to a great article awhile back. It is a great discussion of myths, mysteries, and maximizing creativity. Print it out and refer to it often.)
August 13th, 2008 at
Interesting post. I think it’s helpful for a person to remember to keep embracing their own creativity, of course. Sometimes I’ve found I need a break. Usually when I come back to things afterwards, I’m much fresher, myself, like I’m using a new set of eyes.
August 14th, 2008 at
Since I’m not relying on my photography to pay for my gas bills and the food I eat, I guess I can put much less emphasis on pleasing others and more on pleasing myself. (Not that I wouldn’t love for my photos to pay fro themselves, though – ha!) But if you can’t explore – both old techniques and new – if you can’t love the photos for what they mean to you, then that takes the best of photography out of the picture – for me at least.
I love it when someone likes my photos, when one gets published, when someone wants one to decorate their living space, but first of all, I love it because it touches a spark in me and makes my life full of new experiences and connections with the earth and her people. Yeah, all that touchie-feelie stuff, I guess – isn’t for everyone for sure. I love the technical stuff, too, but I want the creativity part foremost, or I don’t want photography at all.
August 14th, 2008 at
I suspect our creativity is cyclical like so much else in life. Maybe the biggest burden to creativity is worrying too much about the down cycles.
August 15th, 2008 at
A good article. Let novel behavior flow.
August 15th, 2008 at
Mark,
Having been a dad for 11 years now, I became very conscious of my daughter’s creativity and her total freedom to do what she wanted. I’ve tried to adopt that freedom when I work so that I can just let-go and not think about an end use. Growth though is not something that can be totally controlled, we change and learn as we age. But then what choice is there? My work reflects who I am now and who I have been. I don’t necessarily feel that makes my newer work better or not as good as my earlier work, just different.
August 16th, 2008 at
Nicely written Mark!
Not fully awake here this morning after staying up very late to get some work done, and probably needing to read this again, … I take it that you are somewhat talking about the outside influence from other photographers possibly hindering one’s creativity?
If so, eliminating that outside influence which can become a burden to one’s creativity is one of the best steps anyone could ever take in order to turn that creativity up a notch.
I better drink some more coffee here before writing any more! : )
August 16th, 2008 at
Thanks for the contributions to this. Michael it is that and more… Sometimes I wonder even if you worked in your own little cave, would you develop blocks to trying new things?
August 16th, 2008 at
Would I still develop blocks to trying new things if I worked in my own little cave?
Now that’s a interesting thought!
Well you know, ….. I have just written about 3 sentences giving a few thoughts on this a bit more in depth, only to wind up going back and changing each sentence. So, … I deleted it, since there is a lot of food for thought on this one.
Interesting!
August 17th, 2008 at
Very good article, Mark, and interesting responses as well.
All of life is a series of experiences, the last one ultimately effecting the next. Can we become stifled by our experiences and the pattern that begins to develop from these? Definitely! The ultimate challenge is to keep pushing beyond the our personal boundaries both in life and in art. Not always easy to do but I think, as creative individuals, we are almost forced to. Otherwise, we get depressed
I like your image and the thought accompanying it!
August 18th, 2008 at
The Capturing Creativity article was a great read! Thanks for pointing me to it. I will definitely be rereading it in the future. Funny I think the concept of “creative burden” is as much a philosophical concept as a half full/empty glass. I’ve yet to think of my past experience as a creative burden as much as I look at it as a step toward something new.
August 19th, 2008 at
I think it (happiness, peace, contentment etc . . .) is about finding a balance, especially when it comes to being creative. While it is important (i think) to think about your experiences, both good and bad and translate them into creative imagery or literature, it is also important not to over-do it.
If you spend all day thinking “how do I feel, what do I think, what do others think of Me” and so on – I think there is a danger in becoming too self-absorbed and consequently becoming rather miserable. I think it is important (in a Proustian fashion) to also translate the present world, the smaller things in life, our surroundings. . .
I am not saying do not be creative – I think that as an artist (painter sculpture, writer, poet) you need to exert your creative ideas in order to survive, but that to maintain some degree of sanity, some of these creations need not soley be about deep philosophical musings of ones own expereinces . . .
August 19th, 2008 at
[...] Jim: Capturing Creativity, via Graf Nature Photography [...]
August 22nd, 2008 at
Hey Mark,
I wish I had more time right now to delve into this a little more.
I think creating is more valuable than ‘creativity’ – being a little more clever or tricky isn’t overly important.
We all find many things in life that we find rewarding, and it’s not unreasonable to pursue those – creative pursuits are probably no different.
A good read on this subject is the book ‘The Novel”, by James Michener – definitely check it out, particularly if you’re familiar with his work.
Cheers
Carl
September 7th, 2008 at
The latest issue of Lenswork brings another aspect into this – professional photographer vs. enthusiast. Brooks Jensen puts forth an interesting question – how many photographers once turned full time pro grow creatively?