The Artist’s Life

Your ancestry speaks to your background, but what relevance does that have to your current life, your worldview and your family legacy? I’ve discovered that the process of making really epic photos is a great way to explore one’s family legacy and, in doing so, help us determine our place in this world.

The popularity of the selfie has grown dramatically over recent years. My own experience creating self portrait photos, and the research I’ve undertaken into the selfie phenomena, convinces me that photographing yourself is an important process for the photographer to go through.

Your mindset determines your reality and pursuits like creative photography are as good for the mind as they are for the soul. Your photos document your journey through life, your own, unique worldview and how you perceive the experiences that unfold around you.

If you’re wondering how to live your best life you’re not alone. As a travel photographer I’ve witness truly amazing scenes and met many wonderful and inspiring people. My own quest to create beautiful, life affirming photos has forced me to confront the often debilitating effects associated with the art of perfection in my own creative life.

There are three words related to photography I hate. Sadly, these particular words are now part of the basic photography vocabulary commonly spoken by most photographers. Long ago I decided to replace these three ugly words with more positive alternatives when speaking or writing about photography.

I’ve long been drawn to the kind of uncommon beauty that most people pass by as they make their way through life. But whether I’m taking a walk in my neighbourhood or on a photography adventure to exotic locations around the world, I’m always on the look out for uncommon beauty.

Why is it that some photos strike a chord with our audience and why do some images transcend the reach of our usual audience and go viral? Many years of practical experience as a photography teacher and purveyor of fine art photography has contributed to the formation of my own viewpoint on this topic.

I dedicate the photos in this post to my uncle, Bill Gearon, who died in the city of Bendigo, Australia on 13 May 2013. He was 97 years of age.

Great subject matter makes for great photos. Here’s how I go about exploring both conventional and unconventional subject matter to make more emotive and visually dynamic photos.

What is subject matter in photography and how can you use composition to better define the subject in your photos? Many years of practical photography, and lots of research along the way, enables me to describe and illustrate this fundamental, yet quite profound image making consideration.

Has the COVID-19 pandemic caused you to delay your travel plans? I know I've rescheduled flights several times since 2020. Will you travel overseas during 2023?

While life is full of challenges I was determined to discover how living a creative life would enable me to follow my bliss. I felt sure happiness would follow.

Travel isn’t always easy. My adventures include good and bad travel experiences, adding to the richness of my life and giving me wonderful stories to tell.

The Bridge on the River Kwai is an historically important site that explores the atrocities committed during the construction of the Siam-Burma Death Railway. My own visit and subsequent research really opened my eyes to the horrors associated with that infamous railway line.

Have you ever heard the phrase everything old is new again? Let's explore that notion by looking back at my time playing in a surf band: The Swinging' Hi-Tones.

By exploring notions of subject and meaning in photography I’ve been able to progress to more expressive and creative image making. Here’s what I’ve discovered along the way.