The Meaning of Life;
by Robert Gebbie
In recent weeks we have been strongly encouraged to start writing again. It has been almost a four year absence from our blog and almost as long from our other literary pursuits. After so much time away it can be difficult to find the rhythm and flow that once seemed so natural. In looking back, reviewing some of our favorite works, one article continues to stand out. This particular piece expresses our core beliefs and philosophies as well as being one of our greatest works I believe we have ever created. Following is our very first post which first appeared here on our blog page in October of 2008, we hope you enjoy it as much as we still do.
I Creator; The great expression
(Maybe the answer to life)
The world is filled with pictures and images, visual media as advertisements, art and dialog saturate every aspect of our lives. From expressing an emotion to reminding us to turn off the lights when we leave the room, photographs, designs, graphics and text can be found on almost everything in our lives. It is the way we as humans communicate, it is the depth, breath and fuel of our souls. It is the one thing that has separated the human race from all other forms of life on this planet, the ability to express, communicate, record and create visually.
I am an artist; photographer and now writer because it is my need beyond any other driving force in my life to express, create and record. It is in all of us, in every form of expression from your first scribble to your greatest achievement and at times our worst failures. The ability to capture, write, teach and learn has enabled humans to rise above a level of instinctual survival.
We are the only creatures I know who spend their entire lives documenting and recording themselves, in millions of forms and in millions of ways we say I am, was and have been, I must leave my mark, I creator, see what I have done. So whatever it is that you do, take a photograph, draw a picture, write a line, sculpt, build, design, teach or communicate. Create, invent and imagine because that is what it means to be human and for all of us I might even speculate that this is the true meaning of life, and the answer to everything we are, to leave our mark, to be remembered.
Showing posts with label expression. Show all posts
Showing posts with label expression. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Photography through the murky mind of depression.
“If one is even able to pick up a camera while depressed, it can make ones perception very different than when one is not depressed. Things don’t seem to have the sparkle and glamour they had once before. One usually ends up with darkly composed pictures. If there is any light, it is very selective in the way it is applied to the subject.
I rarely pick up my camera when I am depressed, because I know I will be disappointed with the outcome of any pictures I take. The effort it takes to create a good picture is often overpowered by depression. Depression is a very debilitating thing. It takes away the things that you once loved to do, making the simplest of tasks seem impossible to achieve.
Bright colors seem too bright and washed out, while darkness seems appealing. If one could use photography to capture the happiness of life, or just the essence of life itself, I think it could be a useful tool in the healing process. By focusing on something other than the negative, one could use the camera to block out the bad things in life and try to see only the good.” James Burns
James Burns is a primary contributing photographer, influence, and closest friend. While working together a few years ago, James helped me over a slump by encouraging me to pick up my passion as a hobby. This company, it’s accomplishments, and much of our vision has been greatly furthered by the support of our friend. The need for artists to express themselves and be creative runs deep. Sometimes the act of expression itself can begin a healing process.
We would like to present to you some of Jim’s work. His floral images speak volumes, personalities sparkle or flare as the light hits just so. His work is featured in our gallery, and we’ve compiled a book with his work, entitled “Flowers At Night”. We invite you to preview it at http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/574482
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I rarely pick up my camera when I am depressed, because I know I will be disappointed with the outcome of any pictures I take. The effort it takes to create a good picture is often overpowered by depression. Depression is a very debilitating thing. It takes away the things that you once loved to do, making the simplest of tasks seem impossible to achieve.
Bright colors seem too bright and washed out, while darkness seems appealing. If one could use photography to capture the happiness of life, or just the essence of life itself, I think it could be a useful tool in the healing process. By focusing on something other than the negative, one could use the camera to block out the bad things in life and try to see only the good.” James Burns
James Burns is a primary contributing photographer, influence, and closest friend. While working together a few years ago, James helped me over a slump by encouraging me to pick up my passion as a hobby. This company, it’s accomplishments, and much of our vision has been greatly furthered by the support of our friend. The need for artists to express themselves and be creative runs deep. Sometimes the act of expression itself can begin a healing process.
We would like to present to you some of Jim’s work. His floral images speak volumes, personalities sparkle or flare as the light hits just so. His work is featured in our gallery, and we’ve compiled a book with his work, entitled “Flowers At Night”. We invite you to preview it at http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/574482
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Brush and Canvas to Drag and Drop (Old School to New School)
Once upon a time, before the age of Photoshop and Illustrator, photographs were taken on film and developed in a darkroom, designs drawn on a sketch pad and the whole mess came together taped to some editors art board. There is and always will be a conflict between tradition and innovation. I can imagine how hard it must have been for the inventor of the pen to convince a population of quill users how wonderful and useful this strange new, unproven, device would be.
My first formal training was in High School, about 25 years ago. I took Art, Drafting and Photography. This was a natural choice since I had been sketching and painting almost obsessively for as long as I can remember. My teachers, both masters and freelance professionals in their fields, took an interest in me and I was soon stumbling along after them as an assistant from fashion shoot to Designers studios. For the next three years I followed my mentors on every job and assignment I could.
From the master photographer I learned how to take photographs on a variety of manual film cameras. Trained to develop those images in a dark room and perform techniques like dodging and burning and masking, old school. My mentor explained every philosophy and technique he could, often referencing detailed outdated methods we ourselves never used.
From the artist and designer I learned to appreciate Da Vinci, Van Gogh and Warhol while painting signs, creating P.O.P. displays and designing “Wine of the Month” circulars. Schooled in pre-press paste up board layouts and photo plate printing while I painted with pallet, brush and canvas.
Today I shoot on an Olympus D.S.L.R., manual mode with all the bells and whistles turned off in RAW format. The photographs are processed in my computer darkroom with only the slightest tone or exposure adjustment, and saved in the proper format and manner for its intended use. My illustrations sketched out on paper, scanned and redrawn in illustrator creating the sharp clean lines needed for the commercial market. I still sketch on paper, paint with brush and canvas and airbrush creations on a variety of mediums.
Creation and the Creative Process should be about respecting and appreciating the classics, those who have traveled before us. Explore and embrace the new, find the style of expression that fits the Artist that you are. Develop your own methods in the mediums that suit you. Find your place and grow!
My first formal training was in High School, about 25 years ago. I took Art, Drafting and Photography. This was a natural choice since I had been sketching and painting almost obsessively for as long as I can remember. My teachers, both masters and freelance professionals in their fields, took an interest in me and I was soon stumbling along after them as an assistant from fashion shoot to Designers studios. For the next three years I followed my mentors on every job and assignment I could.
From the master photographer I learned how to take photographs on a variety of manual film cameras. Trained to develop those images in a dark room and perform techniques like dodging and burning and masking, old school. My mentor explained every philosophy and technique he could, often referencing detailed outdated methods we ourselves never used.
From the artist and designer I learned to appreciate Da Vinci, Van Gogh and Warhol while painting signs, creating P.O.P. displays and designing “Wine of the Month” circulars. Schooled in pre-press paste up board layouts and photo plate printing while I painted with pallet, brush and canvas.
Today I shoot on an Olympus D.S.L.R., manual mode with all the bells and whistles turned off in RAW format. The photographs are processed in my computer darkroom with only the slightest tone or exposure adjustment, and saved in the proper format and manner for its intended use. My illustrations sketched out on paper, scanned and redrawn in illustrator creating the sharp clean lines needed for the commercial market. I still sketch on paper, paint with brush and canvas and airbrush creations on a variety of mediums.
Creation and the Creative Process should be about respecting and appreciating the classics, those who have traveled before us. Explore and embrace the new, find the style of expression that fits the Artist that you are. Develop your own methods in the mediums that suit you. Find your place and grow!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
I Creator; The great expression
(maybe the meaning to life)
The world is filled with pictures and images, visual media as advertisements, art and dialog saturate every aspect of our lives. From expressing an emotion to reminding us to turn off the lights when we leave the room, photographs, designs, graphics and text can be found on almost everything in our lives. It is the way we as humans communicate, it is the depth, breath and fuel of our souls. It is the one thing that has separated the human race from all other forms of life on this planet, the ability to express, communicate, record and create visually.
I am an artist; photographer and now writer because it is my need beyond any other driving force in my life to express, create and record. It is in all of us, in every form of expression from your first scribble to your greatest achievement and at times our worst failures. The ability to capture, write, teach and learn has enabled humans to rise above a level of instinctual survival.
We are the only creatures I know who spend their entire lives documenting and recording themselves, in millions of forms and in millions of ways we say I am, was and have been, I must leave my mark, I creator, see what I have done. So whatever it is that you do, take a photograph, draw a picture, write a line, sculpt, build, design, teach or communicate. Create, invent and imagine because that is what it means to be human and for all of us I might even speculate that this is the true meaning of life, and the answer to everything we are, to leave our mark, to be remembered.
Robert Gebbie has been a photographer for over 25 years and is currently located in the Vancouver, Washington area. You can see his creations at http://www.rgebbiephotography.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)