I’ve been a doodler for as long as I can remember. I still have some childhood doodles that reflect times where I had a pencil in my hand and my mind went wandering. More than likely – I was supposed to be paying attention to something else.
I don’t remember the exact reasons – perhaps I had already finished my homework for the day, and the subject matter drifted into “blah – blah – blah.” I grew up with the birth of video games, arcades, and Star Wars – plenty of subject matter to occupy any kid’s imagination. Looking back on some of these sketches perhaps could be psychoanalyzed to an affinity towards details.
My Instagram account became somewhat of the modern surrogate for my old notebooks. Since taking up photography decades ago, I don’t doodle as much with a pencil anymore (something I should perhaps re-examine). In fact, I think I have lost most of those “skills” since I was 10. But with the ease of a handheld device that can splash some initial raw material onto a blank canvas, and allow you to doodle a bit with the result – my wandering mind has a different outlet in a different form, for a different age.
I have always kept these creations on my phone or my Instagram account. I am not sure exactly why. They really didn’t fit into my website galleries as I wasn’t quite sure of the enlargement capabilities for making large prints from them. They have, however, been the inspiration for ideas that I have attempted to replicate with “my real cameras.”
I should emphasize “attempt” there as it isn’t always successful. Sometimes the moment is just lost or my mind is in a different place after hauling out all that serious-photo-making stuff. Sometimes I can’t replicate the tools on my phone with tools on my “real computer.” Serendipity has its place, and attempts to get serious can spoil it. For those that don’t have Instagram, or understandably avoid it – I bring some of those sketches here to share.
Featured image at top of post: “Rembrant Woods” – a double exposure or a simulated one – I can’t remember which, with a color formula thrown on top – also can’t remember which 🙂 – anyway the result kinda reminded me of a Rembrandt-like tonality.
p.s. Something I have noticed with most of these, I don’t have the foggiest idea how I created most of them. So many apps, so many filters on my phone – I experiment with a lot of them, mixing and matching. Quite unlike developing in Photoshop where you can save layers, which plugins you used, capture notes, etc.
Somehow this “note” got by me when first posted.
While I like the top image, I have to say at first impressions the last one strikes my fancy and I suspect my reasons for liking it is that it’s bright and cheery…there seems to be too little of that around these days. Then, perhaps, I’ve just been a ‘Gloomy Gus’ this last while.
Mark, I can identify with your confession “I don’t have the foggiest idea how I created most of them” …been there myself. But let’s assume being such one-offs makes them even more valuable. 😉
It could very well be I was looking for something bright and cheery when I created that image to get me out of my own gloomy mood Earl. But given I can’t remember how I created most of them, I am certainly not going to remember the mood I was in. But it is a good story to go along with it, so I’ll stick with that. 🙂
Rembrant Woods is really attractive, lovely colors, and a neat layering of a vein pattern on top of a forest scene. So good to see one of your posts again!
Thanks Tom! It is a concept I plan on exploring further. It is a good fit for this time of year when there is no foliage.
These photos all tick the creative box for sure. I especially like the one of the trees; beautifully textured. Despite trying a few times, I could never get into phone photography though I was often impressed by what some people managed to do with the various applications that are available. There was one, which may no longer exist, that was called hipstamatic, or something like that, and photos made with this app were often among my favourites. I haven’t used Instagram in some years but that was, and I imagine, still is, a good source of creative imagery.
Hipstamatic is still around. I used it in the past, and like some of what it offers. They keep inventing new “films” and “lenses” to keep people interested and a revenue stream. The options now are a bit overwhelming on how much you can do in the palm of your hand.
IMHO the top image needs/must be printed and hung on a wall, Mark. Thanks for sharing this unknown fact about you, now I know understand this creative gift you’ve had since an early age.
Well I don’t know how interesting that little known fact is, but it may have foreshadowed later pursuits. I wish I had wall space to print more, I would be curious about that one.
I know what you mean….sometimes trying to be ‘serious’ kills the moment and the idea.
Who knew being bored, waiting in line somewhere could be a source of inspiration?! 🙂
Ooooo, these are very cool, Mark! Thanks for sharing them! Where else have you shared, and what feedback are you getting?
Thank you Catherine. Only on Instagram – which is a hit and miss place for feedback.
These are excellent, especially the one at the top. You never know where a creative urge will take you; just need to follow it.
Thanks Joe. That is my favorite.