Shutter Sisters - Journal

Monday

Nov152010

listening

Monday, November 15, 2010 by

Lately I've been reading a lot and doing some personal studying on creativity, and what I've learned is that one of the most important aspects of creative growth is our capacity to listen. As photographers and visual artists, I believe we often tend to forget this. And yet listening, really listening - to nature and its sense of beauty and balance, to what people are not saying, to what they're feeling, allows us to achieve a deeper connection with everything, as well as with our most authentic selves.

Today try to shift focus, and really listen to what's around you. And please share your images with us.

23 Comments

Reader Comments (23)

Oh wow that is a special photo

November 15, 2010 |

Jeanette Verster

I couldn't agree more. I use only natural light, so the outdoors mean everything. Also, you just can't cram kids into a room and expect some great pictures. It is much easier to have fun in forest than a studio. I would have to say that this particular location speaks to me. I have at least a few more weeks of shooting here -- I just know it -- before I get bored and need to move on. I like to sit around and review my pictures after the shoots for a little while, sipping on coffee, by myself, before I take off for home to start editing.

http://lastpictureshowphotography.blogspot.com/2010/11/i-really-need-to-stop-asking-children.html

November 15, 2010 |

Audra Van Vliet

For me - it's always about listening to the quiet:
http://marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=1353
seeing the light:
http://marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=1359
and capturing the color:
http://marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=1360

November 15, 2010 |

Marcie

I think listening and seeing when photographing are synonymous. Our ears become aid our eyes and add to the feel of the scene that we are trying to capture. Without the input of sound our photos may lose the emotion when we try to create them. Photography isn't about one sense, but all of them created into a visual format!

http://www.nekphotography.blogspot.com

http://www.cabinfeververmont.com

November 15, 2010 |

Jen at Cabin Fever

breathing in the smells of the season, allowing the wind to do it's thing, capturing natural beauty with natural light, and being so thankful to have the opportunity to experience it all.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebeccasmithphotography/5177885489/

November 15, 2010 |

Rebecca

Part of living with a 5-year-old is exploring in his way...which always helps me to see the beauty in the little things around me and to listen to nature's rhythms as they are heard through his ears. Little treasures that I would have passed right by become thrilling discoveries.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/5168241516/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/5167640791/

November 15, 2010 |

Kathleen

beautifully said, irene!

November 15, 2010 |

Meg

I've recently fallen in love with a local landfill called Tommy Thompson Park. www.tommythompsonpark.ca. It's a space where nature has triumphed over a waste land. It's a space, despite it's fullness, with room to breath and room to connect.

www.jenniferblaauw.com/2010/11/leslie-spit-sculpture-garden.html

www.jenniferblaauw.com/2010/11/here-are-couple-of-quiet-images-from.html

November 15, 2010 |

Jenny

what a very special capture irene..

last week that is exactly what i did ..ten minutes ... top step ...

http://www.redorgray.com/2010/11/1-by-e-l-k-on-flickr.html

November 15, 2010 |

elk

I love how, when you're really listening and caught in the flow, rather than thinking too much and trying to force the environment for the scene to your will, sometimes you get a little gift revealed to you. I like to think of them as affirmations from the photo gods and I received this one on my drive home from work on Friday.
http://www.birdwannawhistle.com/blog/2010/11/13/just-what-the-world-needs.html

November 15, 2010 |

Corinna

I actually posted about that yesterday - the listening.
http://spreadingwings08.blogspot.com/2010/11/crackling-dripping.html

November 15, 2010 |

spread your wings

stretching the word people...

http://journal.florali.com/florali/2010/07/an-image-a-dayfor-july-78.html

November 15, 2010 |

Susan {florali}

My dad, listening to my mother tell one of "her stories," on their 40th anniversary -

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14632491@N07/5019344834/

I love the skepticism. :)

And for reference, here's the storytelling in action -

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14632491@N07/5019344412/in/photostream/

I talk a lot. Need to listen more...

November 15, 2010 |

Beth

awesome post and pic. I sat at this spot and listened for hours... heard countless languages (tourist spot), kids, friends... laughter.. a bride and groom... was a good day!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bettina2/5176785655/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bettina2/5176784605/

November 15, 2010 |

Bettina

I have a reflective photo for today.

http://lifesignatures.org/wordpress/2010/11/november-15-quiet-reflection/

November 15, 2010 |

Puna

It's fun to hear guys talk when they don't realize any gals are listening in: http://www.flickr.com/photos/18572605@N02/3688821964/

November 15, 2010 |

Lauren

While walking in a cemetery, among the dead, I heard the shuffling of little feet. This is the result: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bass_clarinet_2000/5088710928/

November 15, 2010 |

Becky R.

Can you imagine the sounds these guys made? I'm not a little boy, but I've been around them enough to have a very good idea of how they were feeling.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/19379573@N06/5180386392/

November 15, 2010 |

joey

November 17, 2010 |

cheap nfl jerseys

This is so true, Irene. So true. And when you feel you've gotten close to mastering the art of listening to others and what's around you ~ you'll find you can also hear yourself, loud and clear.

November 17, 2010 |

bella

Wowza...stunning photo Irene. I'd love to know how you got that vintage-y look. Is that a lens or did you do it in editing?
I'm trying to listen to, and right now my heart is screaming POLAROIDS!
http://www.kimmcmechan.com/sblog/index.php?date=201011

November 17, 2010 |

Kim McMechan

Kim, this is a Polaroid taken with a sx-70 camera. xo

November 19, 2010 |

Irene

December 12, 2010 |

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