Stefan Wood Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 (edited) A personal note, especially for those who have been on this board from the beginning. For the past twenty years I have worked hard on my paintings; it has allowed me to stay creative. But I could never maintain a satisfying balance between that and having a nine to five job. And then life happens -- I bought my own place, years later get married, and moved out to the 'burbs. Commuting has killed any spare time during the day to squeeze in an hour or two of painting, and I have grown tired of reworking a canvas for months on end. So rather than beating my head against the wall in frustration, I have decided to put the brushes a side for the moment. I was looking at a book of photographs by Gerhard Richter, a prominent German painter and an artist I admire -- surprisingly a decent photographer! He said he could take 1000 pictures and be lucky to have one that would become a painting, but the process of looking was what was important. So I decided that this could work for me as well. I did get a Voigtlander (a Bessa L with a 25mm wide angle lens), and several others to experiment and started shooting. I have done this all summer and have found it liberating. For the first time in a long while, I feel good about what I am doing. I'm no camera genius, but it feels good to actively think about light and dark, color and composition again. I want to share these with you, and here is the link: http://www.adoramapix.com/kinggab/ Click the "Photo Books" tab and 4 books will come up. Edited August 28, 2011 by Stefan Wood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.:.impossible Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 I can't wait to sit down and look through these. Glad to hear you have found another outlet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 Nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Nessa Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 Me too. Great news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 Good news! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noj Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 I can relate, Stefan. Although I just had a painting in a show for the first time last night, I have also experienced the difficulty in finding free time to paint. I'm looking forward to seeing your photos! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllenLowe Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 I can't get the link to work, but it's important not to depend on the day job for fun, unless you're Clive Davis or John Gotti. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Wood Posted August 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 Make sure you have Adobe Flash player or it will not work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFrank Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 I like that Adorama portfolio site. Very cool. So are you shooting actual film? I'm not aware of any Voigtlander digital cameras. That'a very gutsy, considering the current technology. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul secor Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 Thanks for sharing with us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Wood Posted August 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 It's all film for the past few months. The China pics -- and there will be much more-- are digital. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noj Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 The photographs are gorgeous, Stefan! Expertly composed with really nice timing on the figures you candidly captured (speaking specifically on the Chinatown photos). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim McG Posted August 29, 2011 Report Share Posted August 29, 2011 (edited) I can definitely relate, Stefan. In terms of creating, I have a burning desire to write, but like you, I have a full-time job. I keep files of various writings of this and that, but don't have the time to balance my job with giving my writing the focus it deserves. Photography helped me keep my creative side alive for a time, but when everything went digital my pocketbook couldn't handle the expense of it all. Maybe when I retire in four years I can finally get serious about my writing. Until then, I must live vicariously through my son's musical talent and composing abilities. I think it goes without saying that I wish you the best of luck! Edited August 29, 2011 by GoodSpeak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Wood Posted August 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Added a new book, the second from my honeymoon in China. This is a sampling of the insanity that is Shanghai, during the World Expo. It was here I learned to push young kids and knee old ladies aside and get public approval for this. White Ghost has learned the proper social etiquette! Not a great city (looks like it was put together by someone using Sim City) but the old international quarter on the river is stunning. Shanghai Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clunky Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 These are very good , many better than that... Good eye for composition which has helped make sense of some fairly chaotic looking scenes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Wood Posted September 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2011 (edited) Beijing My only regret with this one is that you can see a flaw in the lens -- oh well. Edited September 2, 2011 by Stefan Wood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Wood Posted September 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2011 Hong Kong Not enough pictures of this beautiful city. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Wood Posted September 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 Hangzhou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noj Posted September 8, 2011 Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 Love 'em, Stefan. Chinese culture fascinates me, at least in its most positive aspects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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