love life

 

Every time I try to write about Kal, I sound like a crazy groupie. It's probably not far from the truth. I've been adoring her work for years for the way she combines fine art, with graphic elements, and WORDS. I LOVE the way she sees and communicates, whether she's using a paintbrush, a camera, or a paper bag. Today's post is by (my favorite) Kal Barteski.  :)

Hey Shutter-Sisters. You don't know me. My name is Kal Barteski and I would expect you should think three of four times before taking photography ideas from an artist-but, I wanted to share two holiday-happies that a non-photographer thinks about when lugging around a camera.

First, I don't think about taking photos. Whether I'm using a camera or a paintbrush-I don't think so much about the tool as I do the idea of creating art. Magic even. That's right- a camera is simply a tool used to capture shadow and light - the magic is in the taking.

Second- I don't think about taking photos. I think about watching and catching memories and glances and those little words between what's happening and the invisible music between the hearts in  the shot. Because to me - the very, very best photographs are the ones we cherish - not for the fashion or the beauty, but for the message.

You can find Kal's blog with everything she's been working on here. She's having a holiday special on her Love Life books. It's such a good deal, I purchased ten of them as gifts this year. So go check it out, and leave a comment to win one today!

Comments

[sammie]

nice

[Karyn]

Beautiful! I love it all! I completely agree on the catching memories and the moments between.
Here's a bit of 'life' that I captured the other day http://www.mundanedetails.com/?p=1186

[Katy]

I think it's really important to remember those two things...otherwise we can just get caught up in all the technical stuff, and forget about the joy of living and capturing it in pictures. Thanks for this!

[Marie-Michele]

nice reminders... that I think of before taking a picture but are never reflected in it :) I guess that's called experience. still a newbie (here and at photography in general)!

[Marcie]

I love the way you described painting with a camera. It's what I aim for everyday!!!

[Candace]

I love Kal - I have 2 of her prints in my home (you have to check out her ladies) and I already bought one of her books. I thought I was going to give it as a gift; but my husband opened the box and I looked at it and now I have to keep it for our house! I would love to win one to give as a gift now :)

[glittersmama]

I love pretty books.

[maggie ann.]

Amazing!

I would love to add this book to my collection!

[Amanda]

I agree with glittersmama - I love pretty books! And very good reminders from Kal too - I'm often guilty of overthinking things.

[lisa]

What a neat story! How she started off with her small circle of friends and how quickly things took off. So wonderful! Thank you for introducing Kal to this reader...Another magical lady to draw inspiration from!

[carey]

ooooh, i love books! :)

[Chana]

I would love this book :)

[Lu]

How wonderful. Love being introduced to new creatives.

[abbey]

the reason I love photography "capturing memories"!!!
Love this shot today!! So expressive in b&w!
thanks for sharing!!

[Stephanie]

Oh her books look soo lovely. I would love to see more...

[Bonnie]

I am a Kal groupie too!! Love reading her colorful and usually funny blog every morning!! I adore her attitude and style!

[*pixie*]

Shooting digital has really allowed me to not think as much about shooting (or at the very least, not to think about HOW MANY FRAMES I'm shooting).

[Christina]

Oooh, oooh! this is my first time "meeting" Kal, but I might be a groupie now, too!

[brittsny]

i would love to add this book to our collection so that my son can learn to appreciate art!

[karenika]

ooooh this is so awesome! I love love love Kal, too. She's so amazing and has such magical energy!

[Melissa]

Thanks for introducing me to all these great new artists!

[Brianna]

a beatiful little book

[Sharon]

Thanks for introducing Kal. I would love to have this book!

[Lisa]

I love everything Kal does. She's an inspiration!!!

[Jessica]

Love the post, sometimes it's hard to remember these things when taking pictures. The book looks amazing!!

[Jamie]

What an interesting book. It's very inspiring.

[tiffany]

How lovely - thanks for sharing with us!

[Erin]

I too love Kal's work! I am crossing my fingers!!

[devan]

nice. :)

[kath]

A book is the best gift. I love a new book. Thanks

[Liz]

I've never been to her site before, but now that I have, it's going to be hard to get any more work done today. What gorgeous photos. I'll have to see if I can find this book somewhere for a Christmas gift. Thanks for the suggestion!

[Kylie]

Ohh, I love reading Kals blog everyday! And I would so love one of her books! She is a very amazing talented women!

[AppleTree]

Amazing photo.

[Kate Baumert]

hooray!

[Traci]

such a great read ... thank you! :)

[betrank]

"I don't think about taking photos."

Such sage advice. I'm constantly having to remind myself to just shoot from the heart and sometimes the hip.

[Marcene]

Cool stuff! Thanks for introducing her :)

[Jess]

I could never have too many books. They are the best.

[Maya Laurent]

Yea Kal! I'm so behind on Shutter Sisters! :(

[Puna]

I would love to have one.

[Shalet]

Wonderful!

[Christiane]

Thanks for pointing me to yet another wonderful artist...

[Shelby]

"Magic" I love that. Thank you for introducing me to another incredible photographer.

[krista]

great new link...thanks.

[elk]

i
visit
her
often
GO!

[mika]

such a beautiful message...so true...

[Lisa]

Her statement is soooo true!

[Julie Alvarez]

I feel photography the same way. Not thinking, never thinking about the camera. Always the picture, the subject, the feeling.

[Tracy]

Very inspirational!

[Geralyn S.]

I've always loved Kal's work - thank you for this giveaway :)