Ignoring the urge

Nothing is really original. Not with photography, nor furniture, not even with music. We are all influenced by those who have come before us. Some of those influential people are still alive, some are dead, and some have past before we were even born. The most lovely part of this line of influence is the interpretation of a style and also the reminder that, our work evolves. That our work and a certain piece is beautiful for what it is right now without comparing it to anything else we have done. Okay, that is a complicated statement. But here's the gist.

I have been looking at my photo books lately, well, mine in that I own them. But the books full of collections by such amazing photographers as Lewis Hine, Robert Doisneau, W. Eugene Smith, and Henri Cartier-Bresson. These phenoms have had great influence on me and my work lately, in several ways.

Not every photo is perfect. Some images are perfect in their imperfection. With digital manipulation (Photoshop, Lightroom, etc) we get caught up in making the image look just so in order to sell. But I did not have that intention in mind when I clicked the shutter. The goal was to capture this unique scene. Period. So enhancing an image is meant to suit my eye. Not the feeling that I need that image to look just so in order to sell.

I have caught myself forgetting the main reason I am a photographer, what with the urge to get out there and sell sell sell. When I was looking at W. Eugene Smith's work, it hit me. Of course, I want to fill the world with my images, but only if what the buyer wants is what I have produced. The objective is to continue to produce what I love and almost ignore the urge to have it sell.

I am most certain that urge comes from wanting to do what I love every day. I am certain that urge comes from wanting to be able to pull the car over when I see a stunning sunrise over a misty field, as was there this morning, and not have to rush off to work. You can't rush what is meant to just happen. I cannot force success, at least not the monetary kind.

Misty Sunrise 

I have found again, to my utter joy, a community of photographers happy to share what they know without fear of their idea being stolen. Nothing breaks one's spirit faster, than envy and jealousy. The best of advisors and mentors are those who know that no idea is original. And that sharing the joie de vivre of their art keeps them alive, too, by passing down the thrill of being an artist. It is that drive that keeps people feeling alive and allowing them to live through their artwork. This is why art will never die.

This ought to be interesting

It's up. Our website is live. Phew. Now, marketing. Isn't that what you are for, dear blog? www.brandmojointeriors.com

Images

Images. So why use that term. When I worked out west at ProPhoto Supply, the photographers always called their photographs images or shots. Occasionally photos, but not commonly. Over the years it has occurred to me why.

When my hubby talks to me about shooting a new table or piece of furniture, I see in my mind what I want it to look like. I see an image. An image is like a poem. Everyone interprets it differently. Normally I never stage his pieces. This past weekend, he had a Cooper's table for me to shoot.

This table repurposed as a coffee table that has this curved top. Scott thinks maybe it was used by a barrel maker. So we had to prove to people that this piece could really be used as a coffee table. We took our glasses of wine and beer respectively and placed them on top. Perfect. Took out that same EA Poe book and placed it on the shelf below the curved top. Perfect. Now someone can imagine using this as a coffee table. It actually serves a purpose. 

We didn't stage the table in a room. We never do that, unless the room is totally NOT where you would ever use the piece (see the Monolith table shot in an abandoned boiler room). I like to let people "see" the piece within their own space whether it be an office or a home. I want them to create their own image of that piece. So we shoot the piece in a way that is old if the piece is contemporary; new if the piece is old. So the piece jumps out at you.

When it comes to my fine art shots, I still hold that they are images. They are not staged either; I never move objects, I move myself. God I love to shoot. 

Now that brandMOJO Interiors website is up  (still going through the 48 hour testing period), I can work on getting my own Etsy page up to sell my pieces, my shots, my images. brandMOJO Images. Just like this blog. I will take my snippets from a time, a place, a moment, that I have frozen in time and let people decorate their lives and spaces with those. Now it is time to create the image of me selling my own photographs. 

What was once thriving

Took two tables to Ward St today for a shoot. Amazing building. There once was a thriving furniture area there. Now, boards, trash, and For Lease signs. Would be a great place for us to start something: gated, cops patroling the area, large space. No windows though.

Used to be a Ralph Lauren showroom and Betty something, too. What was interesting was the door to Betty Boop's place. Gorgeous, as you will see in these images, but was made with plywood. They must have known that shop wasn't meant to last. High Point has the potential, but needs an awful lot to get moving again, save for those two times a year.

Those two times a year when the fuzz clears the streets of the realities that are there the other 10 months of the year. But it is real. It is gritty, but real. Safe, but you still need to not go there alone.

I haven't yet fixed up the photos that I will post with this tomorrow. But I think I got a few good ones. We will use these for Etsy and website. [Yep, a few good ones...]

Until then.