Daily photo

Cement Lament

  • August 3, 2005
I found my way to a site called Pixelgirl Presents by way of Daily Dose of Imagery's links page. DDoI infuriates me because it is so consistently amazing, receiving an average somewhere in the ballpark of 30 comments on each daily post. Sites like Pixelgirl infuriate me for the same reason: I sit staring at the collection of wallpapers/desktops (like this one) and feel filled with a sort of creative spirit that I am completely unable to act upon. The same feeling comes about when I watch an indie movie, or read a very good piece of poetry, or listen to an amazing new piece of music. If I'm near a computer, these things force me to open Photoshop with a blank palette and begin throwing down ideas, only to find that I have zero ability to execute anything of substance.

I always assumed that creativity was what separated artists from laypeople, but I think it's rather the ability to convey the creativity that most people have from the start.

Photography's easy is most cases because creativity isn't required to be decent. However, it's what separates sites like DDoI from sites like mine. I can't compete, and that's not just fishing for compliments. If you're feeling pity on me, why not tell me Sam's secret instead? How can he look at boring scenes and turn them into something that one feels compelled to comment upon?

Trust me, there's no good way to rewrite a sentence that ends in the preposition "upon", which I did twice in this post.

Comments

  • Matt
  • August 3, 2005
  • 7:51 am
I know you don't believe me, but you have talent that few people have when it comes to photography. It's not that people lack creativity or the ability to bring it to paper. Everyone has a unique talent for something. While I may never be able to write music like Ben or draw people like Smitha, I can write beautifully. It's up to everyone to find his talent and show it to the world openly.
  • Kyle
  • August 3, 2005
  • 10:41 am
i feel ya ethan, i almost lost it last year when i realized i'd never be able to write a song like damien rice. damien rice for goodness' sake!

but honestly, maybe all you lack is a copy of adobe illustrator
  • Ethan
  • August 3, 2005
  • 11:26 am
I wish that were the case, but alas, Illustrator came with the package I bought several years ago. I've used it for a grand total of, oh, 12 hours?
  • jennifer
  • August 3, 2005
  • 12:33 pm
oh ethan, i comment on your site way more than i comment on sam's (which is never). that's the only thing you should care about. ;) okay, no, seriously, i think your photography rocks, and plus, i think sam does a lot of photoshopping.

"how can he look at boring scenes and turn them into something that one feels compelled upon which to comment?" umm.... no. that's not it.
  • Ethan
  • August 3, 2005
  • 12:40 pm
"...and turn them into something upon which one feels compelled to comment." is probably the best, but it still sucks.
  • Javy
  • August 4, 2005
  • 3:53 am
but she looks sad >.<
  • Srijith
  • August 4, 2005
  • 5:29 am
Ethan, I understand your desperation, for I feel the same. I look at these amazing photos (including yours, mind you) and keep wondering what if any, I can do to bring myself nearer to these amazing artists.

But there is no thing for certain. After taking up the camera seriously for the last couple of months, I see myself looking at the world in a new light. I look for and appreciate the beauty in everyday things. I keep pondering how I can frame the shot to let other people share in the beauty I see. I know I wont catch up any time soon, but its a challenge worth working for.

BTW, I wonder how this particular snap of yours would have looked in B&W and//or with tones..

http://insight.srijith.net
  • Srijith
  • August 4, 2005
  • 5:30 am
>> But there is no thing for certain.
That should have read:
But there is *one* thing for certain.
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