Inspiration.
Artists' most important tool and the only thing that drives an artist forwards (money can do that too, I guess, but let's leave that for another discussion).
Sometimes I hit a 'dry season'. Going around with a camera almost like a blind person. Can't 'see' anything around me, the frames I take are weak and I hurry to erase them so I won't shame myself if someone else will see them.
As frustrating as it sounds, I actually learned to enjoy such times. When the 'dry' season is over, I always feel like I have broken through some kind of barrier, whether it's in the way I look at the world, or how I percept photography.
I don't fight the lack of inspiration. I adopt it as a tool, that eventually will pass and will sharpen/enhance/modify my photo results.
During this time, I enjoy looking on the works of others. And the whole point of the post was to say that I find inspiration not only in photography - One of my favorite artists and a true master of light is the painter Edward Hopper.
Observing his work, I just can't stop admiring the way he 'saw' light. In our digital world, we fight to bring out the dark areas, we create HDR images, we pray we had the same tonal range as film, but this painter - He embraced the harsh light. He used it as a tool. In many of my photos I try to imitate him.
And maybe it's the 'cure' for these dry times? Just try to imitate the masters?
What inspire you? Who is your favorite artist?
For this weeks favorite blog I will mention a great photographer I met on Flickr (yes, yes, after all my rant about the quality of photographers on Flicker, there are few very good ones). His name is Alex Glickman (Rundadar) and he is an Israeli street photographer with a rare quality that resembles many works of the Masters.
Enjoy!
There has been 38 Responses to 'Summer Evening' so far
Suzy Walker says:
Interesting post. In answer to your question, I think Dali (& other surrealists) inspires my creative work. I like to have humour in my photos and enjoy them when there is something strange to them, a surreal situation comedy in one frame. Nature itself inspires my underwater work, the struggle to capture her beauty never fails to inspire when I’m in the underwater realm. Sometimes so much so that I stop to marval and end up not taking any photos!
david says:
a very clever idea, really well executed...reminds me of the park here in columbus where they've re-created Georges Seurat's pointilist painting "Un dimanche après-midi à l’Ile de la Grande Jatte"...in topiary!!
Craig Ferguson (@cfimages) says:
Very well executed idea.
As for my inspirations, they come from anywhere and everywhere. For example I was editing a maternity shoot a couple of days ago and listening to Led Zeppelin while doing it. The music actually brought a number of possible photographic ideas into my head for future projects. Whether anything comes of them now remains to be seen but it just shows me that inspiration can come from many different sources.
wedealindreams says:
The best thing is I've worked so much with Edward Hoppers work that without even looking at the painting I know exactly what this was from.
I have to admit I'm loving these photo's. This work is really exciting
pando says:
Great idea. Nice picture. Interesting light. ;)
Nir Dremer says:
Simply Beautiful!
bluechameleon says:
Before I read your text I though to myself "wow, this is so Hopperesque"...and yes, I was right :)
Beautiful work and capture of light, the magic that is around us pulled into one single frame.
Thank you for your works Ilan. I have been going through that 'dry spell' for months now. Summer is always a difficult time for me as I tend to not see much during this sunny season. It's always a frustration for me, which is now something I'll look at as a challenge.
Thank you for this, and for your vision. Now...I will check out your recommendation. :)
Harry says:
I like the pose you echoed, yet your photo is so dark compared to your words about HDR. Even though your site is dark wood compared to Hopper's white clapboard, I would have expected to see the seams between the logs in order to have echoed your subject more closely. This is certainly not intended as criticism of your excellent image, just a general query about the aims you seem to be trying to achieve.
Beat says:
Great art-work Ilan. Very creative!
Anonymous
I like this duo - very nice work
http://krikis.aminus3.com
a.h.lex says:
You ask in your post about our inspirations. I think inspiration is in every simple thing that we could see, taste, feel, hear or think. But if you ask about an artist, i would prefer anyone in our society of the world.
The scenery you have produce is a good copy of the paint by Edward Hopper. Your photography work is almost a wonderful one and that's why i find this photo on a 'summer evening' a inspiering scenery. Well done!
By the way, have a nice day Ilian! a.h.lex
Simon Hucko says:
i've found myself looking at cinematography very closely lately. so much of the feeling you get from a scene in a movie comes from the lighting and how the shot is framed. i ask myself how all of that relates to the story being told. it's surprising how much you can learn from a good cinematographer.
Fritsch says:
Glad you feel the barrier breaking. That is just like kerosine in the blood. And I know this feeling pretty well.
Not only a clever & smart composition but a great picture. Your light & darkness amazes me each time. Looking for a truer sound I always end up here. Thanks for this experience, that beauty round here & the thoughts you share to make myself break the barrier, my friend. All the best & safe travels, Fritsch.
Xavi Heredia says:
Well, very interesting your reference about Hopper. I discovered this artist when somebody tells me that one of my photographies reminds him some Hopper's pictures. From who I draw inspiration? Lately, from some amazing photobloggers, as Cristina Jordà or Oskarfoto
Liang says:
I really like how you managed to make it cartoonish, displaying another work of art =]
bim says:
This post has been removed by the author.Bim says:
Like your post ilan. When I'm in a dry spell. I usually just stop all that I'm doing and go out to some festival or event in London.. or maybe check out some photography in the shops or galleries. Nice way of looking at photography though.
Life with Kaishon says:
Wow. I love this picture. It is a beautiful re creation of a great painting. I saw your comment on Pioneer Woman and popped over to say hi : )
Markus Spring says:
Great iuxtaposition of photography and painting. The light qualities Hopper captured in his images are fascinating, and among those the most interesting thing for me is his usage of "mixed light", where artificial light illuminates part of a scenery otherwise in natural (dark) light. Even the image you show has a tiny bit of this quality: the illuminated green strip of grass at the right border.
And to learn from the masters, to study their work definitely is a fine pursuit not only during 'dry' periods.
sil says:
Hopper is one of my favorites too. You did a great job here, I really like your shot :)
CraigM says:
I love the idea here and your execution of it.
Those dry spells hit us all, I've had a few myself in the relatively short time I have been blogging, they pass as you say and make us stronger for it.
I have a different problem at the moment, I have plenty of shots and not enough time to process and post them but I posted some street stuff this week, just for you ;)
Marcie says:
Love the light in this..the rich colors and tones. And the sense of intimacy you captured is terrrific!!!
Reminds me of a Hopper painting!!!
Andrei Barbu says:
Great composition and very original creation. Excellent work!
Mike Cullen says:
Lately I've been gravitating to Rembrandt. Something about the subject creeping out of the dark grabs me.
Fantastic image and post!
Luis says:
Great Ilan, you have great ideas
flo g says:
une superbe idée.. très bien réalisée.. bravo ;)
The Factory says:
Again, a very good documentary photography, which talks a story by itself. You are right in trying to "reproduce" paintings, it's a very good exercice (Jeff Wall ;))
You should just mention Hopper as reference but the direct comparison with the original painting is not appropriate. You choose to be sharp, painter not, same thing for colors... I think they desserve each others.
Anne says:
when I get stuck I go to a newsagent and flick through magazines, or just sit infront of the computer and browse images. doesn't have to be photography and you always get some new ideas, normally it's not about finding a subject but more about finding different angle and a twist to it.
I love the work of the French artist Sophie Calle. She is an artist but her conceptual projects always fascinate.
Ivar says:
Very nice re-creation, well done
Doum says:
Brillant scene and art work. You succesfully catch a summer evenning! Wath a impressive idea you gave on your blog. Favorite artist; the only Andy Warhol! Bonne semaine.
ken says:
Terrific study in thought-provoking photography conversation.
Babak says:
Awesome remake, I love these type of remakes.
Franck says:
My favorite painter !
Good idea and good work. The light of Hopper is special, really special ...
emillamola says:
Excellent work!!!
Me encanta la pintura de Hopper.
PIXistenz says:
Clever concept of putting the two together. The skirt is a bit longer though.. :)
Jezblog says:
Hopper....... I saw the retrospective of his work in DC earlier this year? it was amazing....... I also saw the Turner show in DC...... there is another master of light.....
Cheers Jez XXXXX
Sylvain says:
Very good idea and perfect work !
AWayWithWords says:
Your words a very true, as always. New favorite blog, but really!
Thank you for taking the time to comment my photo - it is much appreciated :)
Please, consider voting for me on Photoblogs Awards 2009 and faving me on Photoblogs.org
You can also add/follow me on -
Twitter