I had an interesting thing happen today. A student (and friend) called to ask about a fine point on the use of Auto Focus and her confusion was so complete that it made me stop and question what I actually know. Now it turns out that what I thought was true seems after examination to be true but for a while I wasn’t sure. And I think having my reality called into question is turning into a really good thing.
If you know me at all you know that I started living by the camera long before the advent of Auto Focus. And I’ve come to my current understanding of camera craft via a long and winding road; one where I mostly grudgingly accept new technology only once I am finally convinced that it actually makes my life easier. It’s not so much that I’m “change adverse” as much as I’m too busy to pick up new gadgets simply for their own sake and that I’m incredibly cheap. Call my cell phone and you’ll realize I still haven’t reprogrammed my service since the last phone got destroyed (No, I did not drop it in the toilet, thank you).
I took my first PhotoShop class long before my children were born and I’m way past the point of seeing it as some sort of witchcraft but my knowledge and use of it has been acquired much more by required evolution rather than a driven desire of mastery. It is a tool. A miraculous tool I’ll grant you but still just a tool.
So what all this is leading to is simply this: I like having my reality called into question every now and then. It’s the mental equivalent of having to clean out your closet. “There’s too much crap in there that you’re never going to use or wear” and getting rid of some of it makes you appreciate what you do keep and gives you room for some new.
It’s too easy to get set in your ways and the only way to stay alive (at least creatively) is by regular evaluation and adaptation. So the Holidays (and our 2nd “Move from Hell”) are behind me, I’ve had my cobwebs cleared and it’s time to get back to work. These classes I’m teaching are really helping me let in some fresh air and I think you’ll be seeing some new and hopefully exciting work coming from me in the near future.
Mon voyage poursuit…
