The Blog At Ainsworth Images

“I am not interested in showing my work to photographers any more…”

Tom Kostes — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:21:26 +0000

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

“I am not interested in showing my work to photographers any more, but to people outside the photo-clique. My pictures are not escapes from reality, but a contemplation of reality, so that I can experience life in a deeper way.” ~ Bruce Davison

I have a bit of this in myself these days, I am not interested in being judged by other photographers so much as I am in sharing my images with the public for their enjoyment. I create the images I do to express my personal vision, so I am not looking for approval. Since the images I create have meaning to me, I look to share them with others who’s imagination may be stimulated by them. Photographers tend to look at images with a technical brain, rather than an artistic insight. I am first and foremost an artist, truly I have technical skill in order to create my images but I like it best when those are almost invisible and the viewer is pulled in by the subject matter and the sprit of the piece.

Here I share an image of an iconic site in Central Oregon shortly before sunset. The sun was partially hiding behind a craggy peak and there were some nice high clouds in the sky. I got a bit of sunburst off the peak as well as a bit of lens flare, which I feel adds to the overall spirit of this image.

Enjoy,
Tom

“The camera cannot express the human soul!” To which Adams replied, “The camera cannot, but the photographer can.“

Tom Kostes — Fri, 11 May 2012 20:05:49 +0000

Friday, May 11, 2012

“…The camera cannot express the human soul!” To which Adams replied, “The camera cannot, but the photographer can.” ~ Ansel Adams

This was Ansel’s reply to his mother and aunt, who were pleading with him to not give up the piano in favor of photography. A very astute reply don’t you think? It’s up to us, not our equipment to “express” our feelings, our vision and to become proficient at communicating that to others. The tools are aids but it must come from within ourselves or we will have only snapshots.

I know some may disagree, but to me this is truly a “lovely” couple!

Enjoy,
Tom

“It should be possible for even the photographer – just as for the creative poet of painter – to use the object as a stepping stone to a realm of meaning completely beyond itself.”

Tom Kostes — Wed, 09 May 2012 21:46:03 +0000

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

“It should be possible for even the photographer – just as for the creative poet of painter – to use the object as a stepping stone to a realm of meaning completely beyond itself.” ~ Clarence John Laughlin

Well, today that is easier than ever with the software at our disposal. To take an image from here to anywhere one wants is quite possible. One still must have talent, vision and craft to create images that will reach out and touch the viewer. To my mind there is no reason the photographer cannot be an artist, there are no barriers to the creative with vision who wants to travel that road, which cannot be overcome with hard work and dedication to their craft!.

Here is an image that starts as a simple photo and transforms into something a little more.

Enjoy,
Tom

“The photographer projects himself into everything he sees, identifying himself with everything in order to know it and to feel it better.”

Tom Kostes — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:28:30 +0000

Friday, May 4, 2012

“The photographer projects himself into everything he sees, identifying himself with everything in order to know it and to feel it better.” ~ Minor White

This goes even deeper into the process of creation than the previous post. Here, not only do we “relax our beliefs,” but project our consciousness into that which we want to capture. Basho, the ancient Japanese Haiku poet speaks of this in his travel journal, so it is far from a new concept for the artist, but to me, a most important one. Without this “seeing into” you and the object remain separate, which makes it impossible to capture the object of your desire in a creative way.

This is an intimate view of a common Tulip tree flower. It’s a very beautiful flower despite it’s commonality, but you have to be still and look closely to see it.

Enjoy,
Tom

“We look at the world and see what we have learned to believe is there. We have been conditioned to expect…but, as photographers, we must learn to relax our beliefs.”

Tom Kostes — Wed, 02 May 2012 19:39:41 +0000

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

“We look at the world and see what we have learned to believe is there. We have been conditioned to expect…but, as photographers, we must learn to relax our beliefs.” ~ Aaron Siskind

Excellent and wise advice for anyone, but absolutely essential for the artist! How would we ever be able to create something fresh without beginners mind? It’s an old saw that if you keep doing the same thing over and over, you’ll end up with the same results. I also believe that meditation is an excellent tool for the artist. I try to get into such a state when I look through my viewfinder in order to see with a fresh point of view. It can help in post processing as well, allowing you to bring fresh eyes to an image.

It can allow you to create images you might have never done without such a state of mind, such as this one.

Enjoy,
Tom

“Some photographers take reality…and impose the domination of their own thought and spirit. Others come before reality more tenderly and a photograph to them is an instrument of love and revelation.”

Tom Kostes — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:49:36 +0000

Friday, April 27, 2012

“Some photographers take reality…and impose the domination of their own thought and spirit. Others come before reality more tenderly and a photograph to them is an instrument of love and revelation.” ~ Ansel Adams

“An instrument of love and revelation.” I don’t know how it could be said better. It’s this wonderful world, full of it’s magic and mystery that has always motivated me to not only create, but to hone my skills so I could do so in ways that would communicate these qualities to others.

This is a favorite image of mine. It’s extremely simple, of a common subject and yet is still full of beauty and mystery.

Enjoy,
Tom

“It’s not about your camera. It’s not about my camera. It’s all about you. t’s all about our ability to see. It’s all about our ability to see new things, and to see old things in new ways. It’s all about our vision. It’s never about your camera.“

Tom Kostes — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:24:22 +0000

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

“It’s not about your camera. It’s not about my camera. It’s all about you. t’s all about our ability to see. It’s all about our ability to see new things, and to see old things in new ways. It’s all about our vision. It’s never about your camera.“ ~ Ken Rockwell

Some people contend that you must put yourself in front of amazing things and views in order to capture great images. Cézanne rarely left the neighborhood, same with Van Gogh. Monet painted his garden. You get the point, to someone who has vision and a keen eye even the so called ordinary can be extraordinary if viewed in a creative way. The true creative has the ability to function from a state called “beginners mind,” to see the ordinary in fresh ways, not the way it was seen yesterday. Take your camera out in your neighborhood, freshen your eyes and empty your mind and you might be surprised with what is reveled to you.

Here is a not uncommon subject, but the light, the time of day and the background stretching off into the distance combine to create a compelling image.

Enjoy,
Tom

“Photography is the power of observation, not the application of technology.“

Tom Kostes — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 22:42:54 +0000

Friday, April 20, 2012

“Photography is the power of observation, not the application of technology.“ ~ Ken Rockwell

This is something that can be challenging to remember in this age of new, better, bigger! We are constantly bombarded by the latest, greatest stuff, however, the true artist can come back with a great capture with a pinhole camera. Remember that even the lower end camera’s of today are superior to the best cameras of the early masters. It’s your vision and powers of observation that will make your work standout in a crowd.

This is from the Japanese Garden in Portland, Oregon. I love this stairway and here it seem to lead to mystery.

Enjoy,
Tom

“Love is what moves the sun and the stars.“

Tom Kostes — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:20:19 +0000

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

“Love is what moves the sun and the stars.“ ~ Dante

I don’t know about the sun and stars, but I’m willing to take Dante’s word on it. I do know that’s it’s what’s necessary for you to move from novice to master in your life’s chosen profession. Another word for love is passion. Only passion can make you do the work necessary to create images that are worthy of being called art. If it didn’t require hard work, everyone could do it. It’s the work that separates the ordinary from the great and only passion can give you the necessary energy for the journey.

Flowers! Most of us love them. They are not rare, it’s hard to use them in an image and do something original, but hey, I love a challenge.

Enjoy,
Tom

“Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it, we go nowhere.”

Tom Kostes — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:40:39 +0000

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

“Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it, we go nowhere.” ~ Carl Sagan

Imagination is the mysterious gateway that can lead to inspired images. With it the artist can transform the ordinary into the wondrous. If there is such a thing as talent, it lives in the world, or should I say worlds of the imagination. Imagination can lead to see things in fresh ways, to try new exploits, to travel new paths. Without it art would not ever exist. Your equipment and technical skills have value, but without imagination you will only be a craftsman, not an artist.

I present yet another image of my favorite rock in the whole, wide world, Haystack at Cannon Beach, Oregon. One rock, so many moods!

Enjoy,
Tom