Photography Composition Books
What can Carl Jung, the Eastern philosophy and photography tell us about creativity?
Do you think creative writing can be taught?
First, let me say that I took one creative writing class in my life. And then, my experience is not exhaustive. But after writing for many years, I can tell you what I observed.
Teachers can help to perfect your art. They may even teach you the secret to overcoming barriers to creativity. But I doubt they can teach you to creative.
If I worked very hard with a good teacher, I could acquire skills respectable piano. I might even learn music theory and composition and to transmit all courses with honors. And yet, I will never compose a sonata for piano, which moves us to more deep, without the creativity of amazing ingredients. It can not be taught.
Why not? Because creativity is a gift. It comes from within, and is personal to the individual. You can either find it in yourself and work with it or you do not. This significantly the same with writing or painting. Only a handful ever write a novel that is really original or creative.
If a writer not manage such a feat, he or she should she created only after many years of hard, lonely struggle. The task is private, which benefits not much exposure in the classroom. After all, you do your best work in a quiet, late at night when the daily minutiae, disappeared a thud? And then, think if you ever read a novel written by a committee?
Carl Jung, Swiss psychiatrist and father of psychoanalysis, speaks of the creative instincts with other instincts, as the urge to activity and reflection. These are innate instincts, what causes human beings to achieve, build and create. So if it is an instinct of man, is not available to all humans? Apparently not. If it were, each of us would all be able to write that sonata or a novel that speaks countless generations.
Jung also said that the creative artist is one who has unusual access to the unconscious.
If yes, maybe there is a way to access this vein. I read a fascinating book, The Tao of photography. With many beautiful pictures, it is written by Dr. Philip Gross Shapiro and SI, two psychologists and photographers. Sometimes, I love the camera because it helps me concentrate on my surroundings, I find useful capture a mood to write.
The book is the teachings of Chuang-tzu, a collection of writings of the fourth, third and second centuries BC in the art of photography. He speaks little understanding and agreement of the Great. I love how these states of being described:
greater understanding is broad and unhurried;
little understanding is cramped and very busy.
Chuang Tzu
It seems that our daily lives are filled with "little understanding. Just look at my daily list of races and things to do! Here are run with my head down [close and held], focusing on little things accordingly. And if we look around us and even inside and ourselves? greater understanding is broad and unhurried. Just think what we could see and we could open doors.
When we slow down and we focus not only to observe all aspects of life, but also to look inside ourselves, that is where we have a chance to tap into the creative spirit. Unless we do, no amount of concentration on [technique that can be taught] us will never help to listen to our inner voice. After all, are not always the writers have said they find their own voice? I said so, we must teach to listen and pay attention to the outdoor life around us and our own inner life.
Suppose you did not go beyond this stage cramped and busy. [The Tao of photography has many excellent suggestions on how to achieve it.] What can you expect? Perhaps nothing special. But if a writer is lucky, he might Just type in something wonderful … his creative spirit. If we can get out of our way conscious and let the images, words, music, ideas and flow of emotions, then we just might be something to work with.
In writing I think this is the first project is all about. Then the more rational, analytical part of the brain supports and refines what has been created. Then A teacher can help you by showing you the techniques of your profession. Perhaps a first draft of a novel must be a prerequisite entry into a creative writing class. What do you think?
About the Author
Mary E. Martin is the author of the Osgoode Trilogy [Conduct in Question, Final Paradox and A Trial of One.] Please visit her website www.maryemartin and <a href=”http://www.authorsden.com/maryemartin” title=”http://www.authorsden.com/maryemartin” target=”_blank”>http://www.authorsden.com/maryemartin</a> to sample her creative efforts.
50 Principles of Composition in Photography
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Introduction to Digital Photography, 2-disks DVD set $26.95 This DVD is a high level introduction into digital photography. It provides information and guidance on many subjects in a way, you can use it to advance your photographic skills. It offers substantial body of knowledge on camera, exposure and composition. The introduction contributes to you photographic erudition and helps in developing professional and artistic approach to photography. Developi… |
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The Photographer’s Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos $17.27 Design is the single most important factor in creating a successful photograph. The ability to see the potential for a strong picture and then organize the graphic elements into an effective, compelling composition has always been one of the key skills in making photographs. Digital photography has brought a new, exciting aspect to design – first because the instant feedback from a digital camera … |
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Learning to See Creatively: Design, Color & Composition in Photography (Updated Edition) $15.92 Almost everyone can “see” in the conventional sense, but developing photographic vision takes practice. Learning to See Creatively helps photographers visualize their work, and the world, in a whole new light. Now totally rewritten, revised, and expanded, this best-selling guide takes a radical approach to creativity. It explains how it is not some gift only for the “chosen few” but actually a … |
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Learning to See Creatively $16.96 Description not available. |
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Bryan Peterson`s Understanding Photography Field Guide (Paperback) $16.33 This comprehensive field guide to photography includes everything from exposure and shutter speed, to composition and color, to the digital darkroom and printing, and explains different techniques with before-and-after and multi-view images as examples… |
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Photographer`s Eye $19.57 Description not available. |
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Nikon D90 (Paperback) $13.43 A guide to the Nikon D90 camera describes the camera`s controls, lighting, composition, lenses, and ways to download and edit photographs. |
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The Canon Digital Rebel Xsi Companion (Paperback) $16.33 Enhanced with full-color, sample images, a definitive guide to the Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D digital camera describes the camera`s controls, lighting, composition, lenses, and ways to download and edit photographs, with coverage of such topics as viewin… |
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David Busch`s Nikon D60 Guide to Digital Slr Photography (Paperback) $26.19 A guide to the Nikon D60 camera describes the camera`s controls, lighting, composition, lenses, and ways to download and edit photographs. |
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The Art of Outdoor Photography $18.77 Revised edition of a reference on the art and technique of outdoor photography. Writer and photographer Norton gives advice on lenses, shutter speed, depth of field, lighting, and new material on films and filters for both professionals and amateurs. O… |
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The Beginners Guide to Underwater Digital Photography (Paperback) $22.59 A guide to underwater digital photography covers such topics as selecting a camera, adding light, exposure challenges, designing compositions, maintaining equipment, preparing for a dive, and postproduction. |
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Composition Photo Workshop $19.68 Description not available. |
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Understanding Close-up Photography (Paperback) $16.96 Enhanced with more than two hundred color illustrations and composition, equipment, and light information, this instructional guide provides helpful techniques, tips, and secrets for making up-close photographs powerful pieces of unique art. |
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