Wednesday was the day I exhibited in the City building. Not something I would rush to do again - driving in London traffic was not fun, accessing the building was equally tricky, and getting a heavy load of stuff up 6 floors negotiating all the security doors & goods lift made me wish I’d opted for selling bought in jewellery. Still I tried it.
February 24th, 2006
I once heard a lady say to a photographer that she would have bought his work if it had been a painting. She liked the image, but for whatever reason didn’t consider the medium suitable for her “it’s just a photo”.
I am sure that some share her thoughts, whilst others would be quite happy either way, but a growing number of people do recognise photography as an Art form. And collect it.
“There are three fundamental components of what we call art. First, is the artist; second, is the medium; and third is the artwork. All three, clearly are interrelated.’ Tad Beckman
Defining photographic art
It is true many people do regard photography as merely a reproductive medium, and the photographer as simply the technician. And if this were just about your holiday snaps then it would be a valid point.
So let’s start with my definition of photographic art. I say my definition because there is no stock answer it means different things to different people. For me it’s about creating a beautiful image that is an interpretation of the scene that I saw in my mind captured on film, rather than just a recording of what is already there.
It’s about the photographer being the choreographer of the various components; the composition is critical, as is the lighting, weather conditions and the colours at play.
It’s not just about pressing the shutter release, although timing is everything. Patience comes into play too, as you wait for all the components to be perfect all at the same time.
Some things you can control, but the weather well that constantly throws out surprises that can add that hint of drama to a picture or send you home disappointed.
It’s these uncertainties that add the challenge, and this results in creativity as you respond to the situation. Other photographers will have their own criteria, but we all are producing very personal pieces of work that we feel passionate about and that are a representation of our interpretation of the world.
A photograph - more than just a sheet of paper with an image on it?
Oh yes! Typically a photographer will capture an image that pleases their eye. They will create something that is close to their heart, and therefore give a little of themselves in the image.
Effectively they are allowing you to see how they perceive the world to be, one moment at a time. Add into the fact that many photographers print their own work (once they have an order!), and sign it then you could say you are buying a piece of history - or designer art!
In other words you are not buying a mass produced print, and naturally the price reflects this. You are buying into the reputation of that photographer and you will expect to pay more. When someone is starting out and building reputation then you are investing in the potential of that person.
You won’t pay as much, but you’ll be backing your own instinct and demonstrating your belief in that person’s talent. Contemporary photography is affordable art.
Subject matter - does it matter?
Personally I don’t believe it does, and I mean this in the sense that people will be drawn to your work because they have seen something of yours and liked your style, and typically that means they like your choice of subject matter too.
My preference is for landscapes and increasingly flowers, whilst other photographers prefer sport, people or a more abstract approach to name but a few.
I think the key to preserving artistic integrity is to shoot for your own personal satisfaction, although naturally as your reputation builds you will develop an understanding of what collectors want, but for me I always have to love the image myself to want to share it with the world. Anything less and it stays in the drawer!
I still experiment, and search for new subject matter, but my photographic style is what it is. It just keeps evolving.
A new language
Understanding the language of the image is something quite individual to the viewer, it does not explain itself in the same way to each person. It is subjective. And although some may view photography as easy, believing that there own point and shoot cameras can produce similar results to a master photographer are confusing the issue.
After all most of us have made paintings at some time in our lives, and may still own paint brushes, but wouldn’t necessarily look at a painting by a master and not consider it to be art would we?
It is the heart and hand of the author behind the brush, camera or pen that executes the creative vision not the tools used.
February 23rd, 2006
Learn the benefits of introducing art into your office or home as a strategy for helping to reduce your stress levels and your employees too.
Simply put stress is defined as a real or interpreted threat to our mind or body that makes us take action. It varies with each individual person.
Imagine you’re in the office, the phone keeps ringing, but you are trying to concentrate on a report you should have finished yesterday, and every time you check your email there is another batch of emails that need replies. So you stay late and a colleague assumes this is an invitation to chat to you for 20 minutes about nothing important.
Everyone copes differently; perhaps you reach for a coffee & cake, or go out for a cigarette break or enjoy a glass of wine at the end of the day. Or maybe all three?! How you react and how you handle the stresses of everyday living can determine your well being both physically and mentally. Stress has been linked to all the leading causes of death, including heart disease, cancer, accidents and suicide.
Not all stress in life comes from negative events - perhaps you have just landed a new better paying job or contract. They key is balance - learning how to relax and control your reaction to the stressors in life.
Once you learn how to relax you not only reduce you stress levels, you strengthen your entire immune system and well being. Just avoiding ‘boosters’ like cigarettes and chocolate and taking short ‘relaxation’ breaks throughout the day gives your body & mind a chance to repair. Finding what works for you is just as important as figuring out what your triggers are.
How does this link to art in the work place I hear you ask?
Well, we’ve all experience a moment when we’ve been out and about and visited a place that every time we think about it are senses are filled with a warm memory of the time we saw a sunset across the water that turned everything a pinky orange or the view from the top of a mountain we have just climbed. We can feel the wind and sun, as it was that day and smell the air.
Every time we think of it we are transported back to that moment in time. It’s one of the reasons we enjoying visiting new places, stepping out of our everyday routines to experience something new - it makes you feel alive and restores your spirits.
Now imagine that you have a piece of artwork in your office that did just that. It sufficiently holds your attention so that you could ‘get lost in the piece’ releasing your mind and providing a sense of privacy in a busy open place office. Often that’s when the best solutions or ideas are born - when your mind is relaxed.
Surely that’s better than working in windowless rooms with bland coloured walls, breathing recycled air and lit with harsh artificial light?
Add to it the fact you are enhancing the look of your workspace and making an important statement about your company, its ethos & style and creating a pleasant environment. Surely that’s a compelling enough reason to choose the right art for your office?
February 23rd, 2006
Does offering employees a pleasing work environment make a difference? Or is it just another excuse to spend money?
Read on….
Essentially it is all about enriching the work environment, and if you are wondering why you need to bother then I’d like to offer you three reasons:
There is a fair bit of research in this area looking at the concept of improving employee motivation from different angles. For example during March 2002 Arts & Business released the results of a MORI commissioned survey. The research investigated attitudes towards the Art’s and their effect on the working behaviors among business leaders and the general public.
The results revealed that 53% of the workers surveyed felt that if their employer were to provide opportunities to enjoy artistic activities they would be motivated in their work. 95% of business owners surveyed said they felt that motivation is ‘essential’ or ‘very important’ in directly driving company performance.
Employees can participate in community related art projects or the employer could sponsor an initiative, and I’ll cover that in a future articles but for now I’d like to focus on why art should be used to enhance the working space, or put another way using art to break up plain walls, and relieve the potential visual boredom for the employee.
Open place offices are very commonplace nowadays, and to some extent have diminished the employee’s sense of having a private space of their own that reflects their personality. Thus the art in their view becomes more important especially if they don’t have a window nearby.
I even heard of a company that has produced space dividers for open plan workplaces that are limited edition prints on mesh by British contemporary artists.
Studies by BOSTI a US based workplace design consultancy make it clear there is a relationship between how people experience the offices they work in and their productivity levels on job including job performance, job satisfaction and their ability to communicate with each other.
We all react both consciously and unconsciously to the area in which we live and work, our environment has a profound effect on feelings, behaviors, general health issues and productivity. Using art in the office is only one aspect of workplace design, but it is one that should not be overlooked.
Having art in the workplace is also a way of encouraging creative thinking and of course there is the potential of a Public Relations spin off. A survey carried out by ICM and Art & Business found that 73% of employees wanted more art in the workplace, claiming it made them feel more ‘motivated’ and ‘inspired.’
Further research carried out by International Art Consultants Ltd “indicates that companies regard art as an integral part of a motivating and productive working environment, and that more organisations are actively seeking to maximise the benefits of art within the context of their broader business philosophy.” So it makes sense to create a pleasing ambiance for everyone who uses the work space, after all there are enough other variables in business life. Let’s do something about the ones we can control!
February 23rd, 2006
Open Day on Saturday May 14th 2005
Landscape photographer Sue Kennedy is the latest resident artist to join the Parndon Mill Artists. Sue is passionate about capturing the uniqueness of our outdoor world at any time of year. Her new base – Studio one – has become a place where visitors can wander around her exhibited work, and browse through her collection of greeting cards, whilst Sue edits and prints her work in the background.
Making full use of the technology available today, Sue not only specialises in Digital photography using Canon equipment, but also makes full use of the Internet, showing her work on her dedicated online virtual gallery www.blueeyesphoto.com .
Sue has been taking photographs since the age of 12, and has recently appeared in the interiors glossy, Real Homes Magazine. Sue also enjoys working with home owners to take photographs of their gardens throughout the year, capturing the beauty of the changing seasons, and giving garden lovers the chance to see their hard work captured to view forever. “It doesn’t matter whether you have acres of landscaped land, or a small patch you enjoy and call your own, there’s always something stunning to photograph if you look at it in the right way.”
Open Day
Sue will be hosting a Solo Open Studio at her new studio – Studio One, Fourth Floor, Parndon Mill, Harlow Saturday 14th May 10-4pm. This is a great opportunity to see her work and meet the photographer herself.
If you’re unable to make this day then viewings can be arranged at other times, by appointment.
Parndon Mill is a beautiful place to visit. It nestles on the banks of the River Stort on the outskirts of Harlow, hiding behind the willow trees, and if you look carefully you may even see some pictures of the mill hidden amongst the collection.
February 23rd, 2006
Three years ago Sue Kennedy spent her days locked away in an office in the world of banking. Her daily life consisted of managing her employer’s strategic approach to disability issues in the workplace. Today, she now follows her dream of landscape photography, travelling regularly to destinations as diverse as Wales and Venice, photographing beautiful locations at all hours of the day.
Although all her photography takes place outside in all weathers, Sue is based in an Artist’s Studio in what was once an old flourmill, but is now converted into a variety of studios and offices. It nestles on the banks of the River Stort on the outskirts of Harlow, hiding behind the willow trees, and this rural location is in itself a source of inspiration. It’s also a long way from her City of London office building.
She was recently awarded membership of the Essex Guild of Craftsmen, (http://www.essexcraftguild.co.uk/) a non-profit making organisation that aims to bring together genuine crafts workers who either live or work in the county of Essex
Since taking the huge step of going solo Sue has exhibited her work at many shows, including the prestigious Country Living Show in London, where she sells her handmade greeting cards and limited edition prints.
Her work has also been published in a variety of magazines from Real Homes to Photography Monthly.
“It hasn’t been easy, Sue admits, “and I’ve learned a lot along the way”. In fact, Sue’s best advice for anyone wanting to pursue photography as a dream career is:
* Find your photographic style and stick with it. Don’t try to photograph things that don’t suit your style.
* Take advice, but make your own decisions.
* Stick with camera equipment you know and love. The new models may look sexy, but your business probably won’t be able afford vanity purchases at the start.
February 23rd, 2006
Apparently, green is the important colour for interiors this year. Green symbolises nature and psychologically it calms us, as does blue.
It’s all about tranquil living, and as my photographs are often described as such, it got me thinking about the time I had a Feng Shui Consultation, and the consultant recommended that I used my own framed photographic prints as Feng Shui ‘Cures’. So I did! Having now moved in my new studio I have been thinking more and more about Feng Shui - the study of how to arrange your space to enhance your life once again.
It is possible for a print or photograph to move us, to have an emotional impact, to stir our senses. In Feng Shui art serves many purposes – it can bring positive energy to a blocked entry, enliven a dead space, add the colour needed to balance energy and generally makes us feel better.
When we love the piece of art we are looking at, is when it is an effective Feng Shui cure – art can change the energy in any space. If you are living with a piece of art that doesn’t appeal to you, then it will have the opposite effect. It may be a piece of art you bought when you were at a different stage of your life, and now you have moved on. Or it may represent the opposite of your goals.
Over time I confess I’ve tried most of the enhancements or cures, for example placed crystals, wind chimes & plants in certain locations. As well as using my own prints, I’ve decluttered, practised affirmations and generally cleared my space to encourage energy to flow.
Feng shui has undoubtedly inspired some of my compositions, even though I only have a general understanding of it. I compose and shoot in weather conditions which for me results in an image which I have seen, but which an untrained eye may have looked at, but not seen.
I often have movement in my pictures for example, which is a result of a long exposure time rather than fiddling on the computer. I often shoot at first light, for the clear light and wonderful colours – perhaps that’s why my photographs are regarded as relaxing and tranquil, because that’s typically how I feel at that time of the day.
Feng shui, in Chinese, literally translates to ‘wind water’. Wind, the unseen force of natures – your inner world of thoughts and feelings. Water, a visible force of nature – represents your outer world. The relationship between the two is key.
Feng Shui observes your environment and is talking to you all the time, although sometimes we are blind to our surroundings and to what it is telling our subconscious mind, and then we find what we don’t want or need manifesting in our lives.
There are many ways to enhance your environment and inspirational art featuring water and moods is just one.
How a piece of art makes you feel is one thing – if the feeling is good then the Feng Shui should be good as a result. However it also works on other levels too – for example if the photograph is predominately one colour, then it will emanate the element associated with that colour.
There are five elements; water (black & dark colours), wood (greens & blues), metal (white & pastels), fire (reds) & earth (yellows & earth tones) if one element dominates you then it’s not good – balance is essential.
When you review the contents of your living space you have to consider things that are made out of the elements themselves, plus the colours associated with each element, as well as what your artwork is portraying – such as ‘watery’ seascape and then figure out what is hardly represented or dominating your living space before you can even think about where things are placed in the room.
It isn’t about a one off tidy up, get rid of everything you don’t need anymore approach. To be effective it needs to be an intentional, ongoing observation and enhancement of your surroundings.
It is sometimes spooky just how the problems & challenges that we face in life can correlate with the way our homes are laid out. And this actually applies as much to your inner world – your attitude and character, as it does your outer environment.
February 23rd, 2006
Finding unusual gifts for friends and family who have everything can be hard. Blueeyesphoto.com offers a fine selection of landscape & flower photographs – executed at that illusive defining moment presented as a deep box canvas or as a limited edition print at prices that make giving art at Christmas affordable.
“I just had to tell you how beautiful, special, and moving I find your work to be, particularly the black and white landscapes” Evelyn Morris Hecht
Why battle the crowds, overheated shops when you can sit in the comfort of your own home and shop online at our secure Website. Ordering is easy – place your order any time - night or day on our secure Website or phone your order through.
I know it’s important to give your friends and family presents they love. But if you are still not sure which one to choose from the great selection available, I also offers gift vouchers.
If you are sick of tired of buying the same old presents that are quickly forgotten in, why not buy them the gift of photographic art that they can enjoy all year round. A unique present, just for them.
February 23rd, 2006
Finding that perfect Valentines gift can by tricky – do you go for sending a huge bouquet of flowers or just cook dinner and remember to buy a suitably loving card? Well why not go for something different – a gift that is thoughtful, one that is a permanent reminder of how you feel about her and one that is as unique as her.
You will find a fine selection of landscape & flower photographs – executed at that illusive defining moment presented as a deep box canvas or as a limited edition print at prices that makes giving art affordable.
“I just had to tell you how beautiful, special, and moving I find your work to be, particularly the black and white landscapes” E Morris Hecht
If you are sick of tired of buying the same old presents that are quickly forgotten, why not buy her the gift of photographic art that they can enjoy all year round. A unique present, just for her.
It’s easy to buy prints in various sizes, and have the prints safely shipped to your doorstep. Why battle the crowds, overheated shops when you can sit in the comfort of your own home and shop online at our secure Website.
February 23rd, 2006
Landscape photography is one of most popular areas of photography. Here are 6 tips for improving your landscape photographs this winter.
February 23rd, 2006
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