Something I do with almost every piece of photo art I create is...
Simplify!
We live in a busy world, filled with stuff and clutter and things being tossed at us ALL DAY LONG. Especially if we are out in the world with people chattering around us every day. Even a short trip to the grocery store can be super stressful with all the noise, the people, the stuff. And what about being in multiple lanes of traffic trying to get from point A to point B? Super stressful!
Photos can be BUSY too...they can be filled with extra "stuff" which inhibits the focus being on what it is you're actually taking a picture of. Especially with wildlife, who is often naturally camouflaged by the environment around them.
As an artist, I feel it is my job to bring the focus to the subject by simplifying things, and getting rid of extra, unnecessary detail. The detail may be necessary in nature for protection of the bird or animal, but it is NOT necessary in my artistic portrayal of the subject.
Simplifying in regards to art helps the viewer - who may be overwhelmed by a busy life in this crazy world we live in - to SLOW DOWN.
Simplifying helps viewers notice the little things in the world they often overlook.
Simplifying helps collectors add art to their home featuring a subject they love and enjoy -- one they can actually now SEE - because things have been simplified and the focus has been brought to that subject.
Simplifying helps balance out this fast-paced world we live in by helping others to slow down and experience a small piece of beauty and wonder.
As an artist, this is just the way I feel about it. When I began turning my photos into art, this was my primary goal with the end result, and it still is today.
In this video, I show you how I simplify an owl photo to bring the focus squarely on him. I've also included some video notes below, along with links to the textures used in this video. --Jai Johnson
Photos can be BUSY too...they can be filled with extra "stuff" which inhibits the focus being on what it is you're actually taking a picture of. Especially with wildlife, who is often naturally camouflaged by the environment around them.
As an artist, I feel it is my job to bring the focus to the subject by simplifying things, and getting rid of extra, unnecessary detail. The detail may be necessary in nature for protection of the bird or animal, but it is NOT necessary in my artistic portrayal of the subject.
Simplifying in regards to art helps the viewer - who may be overwhelmed by a busy life in this crazy world we live in - to SLOW DOWN.
Simplifying helps viewers notice the little things in the world they often overlook.
Simplifying helps collectors add art to their home featuring a subject they love and enjoy -- one they can actually now SEE - because things have been simplified and the focus has been brought to that subject.
Simplifying helps balance out this fast-paced world we live in by helping others to slow down and experience a small piece of beauty and wonder.
As an artist, this is just the way I feel about it. When I began turning my photos into art, this was my primary goal with the end result, and it still is today.
In this video, I show you how I simplify an owl photo to bring the focus squarely on him. I've also included some video notes below, along with links to the textures used in this video. --Jai Johnson
Notes:
I was one of those super busy people - I was working THREE jobs at once - one was my own business, which is quite solitary. One was in a retail location with lots of people and busy-ness and one was in a busy office with phones ringing all day and people in my face from dawn until dusk some days.
When I started simplifying my art, and slowing down as a result of viewing that art, I decided people need this. I needed this. I needed to de-stress...I needed to see all the little signs of life around me I had been missing because I was too rushed to notice. Those birds who filled the air around me with song each and every day? I never SAW them before. I heard them...but I was so much on the go all the time I couldn't even begin to tell you what those birds looked like. When I started actually looking, and photographing them when I could spot them, and then creating art which hi-lighted their beauty, it made my heart happy. It gave me a moment or two of peace and joy to visually experience those little gems in nature. It made me smile!
Eventually I quit both of those extra jobs -- and I have never been so happy to be out of that rat race. I realize not everyone can do that, not everyone can escape the rat race and some actually like that busy-ness in their life. My mother is one of those! And that's fine...if it works for them at this point in their lives, that is fine.
But I feel everyone needs a moment or two of slow down sometimes. And if the simplification factor in my photo art helps people slow down just a little, and experience a moment of peaceful beauty, I feel I have helped to balance out this crazy world just a little bit. I feel I have helped someone to stop and take a breath, and enjoy a few minutes of a tiny slice of beauty the world offers. And I feel really good about doing that for others through my art.
When I started simplifying my art, and slowing down as a result of viewing that art, I decided people need this. I needed this. I needed to de-stress...I needed to see all the little signs of life around me I had been missing because I was too rushed to notice. Those birds who filled the air around me with song each and every day? I never SAW them before. I heard them...but I was so much on the go all the time I couldn't even begin to tell you what those birds looked like. When I started actually looking, and photographing them when I could spot them, and then creating art which hi-lighted their beauty, it made my heart happy. It gave me a moment or two of peace and joy to visually experience those little gems in nature. It made me smile!
Eventually I quit both of those extra jobs -- and I have never been so happy to be out of that rat race. I realize not everyone can do that, not everyone can escape the rat race and some actually like that busy-ness in their life. My mother is one of those! And that's fine...if it works for them at this point in their lives, that is fine.
But I feel everyone needs a moment or two of slow down sometimes. And if the simplification factor in my photo art helps people slow down just a little, and experience a moment of peaceful beauty, I feel I have helped to balance out this crazy world just a little bit. I feel I have helped someone to stop and take a breath, and enjoy a few minutes of a tiny slice of beauty the world offers. And I feel really good about doing that for others through my art.
In the video, I mentioned my camera, lens and teleconverter I used to get the original owl shot in this video. That little 300 F4 PF Nikon lens is my most favorite purchase I made in 2017! The lens is so small and lightweight and handles teleconverters exceptionally well. I'm able to hop out of the car {or stay in, if I wish} and easily grab the shots I need with this small and lightweight photography set up. Even in the low light of the woods, this combination did an excellent job of capturing my subject.
The Final Owl Art Created In The Video:
Intrigued By Passers By
