track of time
stopped
gone
ahead without a thought
Roanoke College, Salem Virginia. 2008-2011
Canon AE1 Program || 50mm f/1.4 • Kodak Tmax 100
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to regain myself again
A habit that paid off when I started out, is that I paid attention to the light values (contrast) and composition whenever I shot. At the time, I always thought the work I created was trash. What I lacked really though was a critical eye to my style and interests. Two crucial ingredients in an artists craft in my opinion, which without can lead to fundamental problems in establishing a strong artist foundation. With me, I struggled with finding out which images were "right" for my portfolio and so it was hard to feel committed to one image in the darkroom, which lead to poor techniques in printing and representation (see how it all connects, we ripple beings of water).
Of course, I just lacked confidence in my own worth as an artist and so I struggled in feeling positive with my work. Until you discover and feel confident with yourself as an artist, you will never feel successful. As an artist, I am defining my own success and as I continue with my own personal growth, I am coming to terms that in the end all I care about is to be able to shoot whatever I want and to keep creating, one image at a time. I create best when by chance and with no expectations (a random assignment, a different route to work, etc.), a chaotic impulse of the universe, and hope that this in the end will enable my work to stand the test of time.
Word of advise to those reading, I am able to see this now because I never stopped shooting and I always tried to shoot with a purpose, i.e. to always compose in an aesthetic and pleasing way in order to be able to make something out of anything (create something out of nothing). This way, in theory, as an artist you shouldn't have to travel far to find a "landscape", since space after all is a matter of perspective.
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www.naret.photography
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