What inspires you?
On the highs and lows of being creative
I’m feeling flat today.
I know you can relate. This has been an intense week at work, I’ve been extremely productive in that part of my life, and I know I’m drained from the experience. I’m tired and probably need a good rest. But it always makes me feel a little low when my creative juices aren’t flowing. Do you know what I mean? I wanted to send a newsletter this week, and I woke up today thinking I should just let it go. That’s healthy. Sometimes the right thing is to cut the cord and take a break. But I love writing to you, so I’m pushing through these Thursday blahs. The show must go on.
Since many of you are photographers, writers, and artists, I want to hear from you: What do you do when you feel beat? How do you recharge your creative batteries?
Obviously, creativity ebbs and flows. And it makes complete sense that you can’t force these things. It is what it is. Looking at pictures always gives me a boost. My latest discovery is Ci Demi, an Istanbul-based photographer (you can follow him here). That’s his work in the top spot — gorgeous, right? I plan to dig deeper into Ci’s website and catch up on my bookmarks, which I thought you might appreciate. I hope they inspire you. And please leave me a comment. I want your advice.
That’s it for today. I hope each of you is doing well. Have a great weekend!
Sam Stephenson is probably our foremost expert on photojournalist W. Eugene Smith. He just reissued two of his books about the photographer with the University of Chicago Press, which are terrific. Blind Magazine published an interview with Sam, and I can’t wait to read it. Many of you are Smith fans, so I hope you dig it.
I’m a big fan of Alice Zoo’s INTERLOPER newsletter and have previously linked to it here. Earlier this week, she interviewed one of my favorite photographers, Siân Davey, about Siân’s new series, The Garden. These are gorgeous images; I can’t wait to read their conversation. If you don’t know Siân’s work, now’s the time.
For various reasons, AI artists have captured my attention. I showed this picture on Instagram the other day; a lovely piece of work by Walker Esner. I know some of you want nothing to do with AI. That’s fine! But if you’re curious to see how photographers are exploring this medium, you might like what Walker’s doing. Please check him out.
Finally, Stephen Frailey emailed to send word about the Dear Dave, Fellowship. It’s a modest cash prize ($1,000) that includes a portfolio in the magazine and an excellent opportunity to be seen by an impressive jury. The deadline is September 15, 2023.
You know what? I feel better after writing this email. The only way out is through! Thanks for reading, folks. I really do appreciate it. Take care! —AA
For me it’s important to just do something so I always make sure there are small tasks I can achieve - one thing I always do is to write 5 ‘fragments’ each day - just a few words that capture something unusual or different - I have mentioned my love of flickr before and I draw a lot of inspiration for the fragments from looking through peoples favorites ... I don’t often write what I see more what triggers a thought or idea or ‘image’ in my head inspired by the photos ... these fragments in time help with all other aspects of my work from writing to photography to drawing and poetry ... I might not have the energy to do something ‘solid’ (as it were) but I can always manage at least the small task of the fragments ...
I’ve made a habit of morning walks. Four years ago, I gave myself a simple assignment to do as soon as I wake up: seek the light. I had a professional drought that stretched from Aug of ‘22 until this past March. taking L’s like that blankets everyday with a perpetual, suffocating blah. For me, the walks were the only thing that got me through… that little chore for my attention. It helped. I still do it, bend my whole life around it.