The Subconscious & Civilization

     "It is a profoundly erroneous truism that we should cultivate the habit of thinking what we are doing. The precise opposite is the case. Civilization advances by extending the number of important operations which we can perform without thinking about them." - Alfred Whitehead

     This idea of our subconscious controlling our actions has magnanimous implications, especially for the art world. Often we hear artists describe their process of creating an art piece as such: "I didn't even know what I was doing!" or "I had no end goal; I just watched the canvas, and eventually there was something beautiful upon it."

     Similarly, this concept emerges as we look back through history at some scientific discoveries that were found by accident(In other words, the scientist didn't originally intend to invent what he invented.) Examples include: penicillin, Viagra, dynamite, and many others.
   

Aura of Composition

     The environment in which an artist composes his work is essential to the final product. This means that whatever the composer may be hearing, feeling, tasting, smelling, or seeing at the moment he is creating art will affect the outcome of his efforts.

     Now apply this concept to the act of editing photographs (Whether that may take place in the darkroom or on the computer is not important right now). Does the music a photo-editor listens to while doing his job affect the outcome of the photo? Absolutely. Although the musical intonations may not be directly translated into the mood of the photograph, I firmly believe that whatever is inputted into an artist amidst the process of creating art (Or in the artist's past) will affect what he is outputting.

     Consider this rather blunt example. A boy who lost a number of loved ones at a young age eventually becomes an artist. What are the chances that he will adopt a more melancholy style of art? Quite high. In this scenario, the history of an artist (The input) impacted the art he created (The output).

Synchronous Skeletons

The Importance of Inspiration

     I believe that everyone must be inspired by someone or by something they personally do in order to truly carpe diem (To seize the day). This especially applies to artists. In order for us artists to output unique and fresh art, it is very important for us to be inspired. Beautiful art is rarely produced when the producer is not attached -emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually - to his canvas.

     By witnessing another human being who has made that connection, we are inspired. Why do people pay money to go to orchestras? To watch and listen to the upshot of countless hours that the musicians spent transfusing with their instruments.

      As a photographer, I have a number of sources from which I glean inspiration. One major source is looking at other photographers' work. Two very prominent photographers who influence the way I shoot are Steve McCurry and Henri-Cartier Bresson. Ironically, these two fellows were friends, until Henri passed away in 2004. Both of these men are extremely talented,  and have contributed largely not only to the world of photography, but to the world in all of its entirety. http://stevemccurry.com/  https://www.facebook.com/dewittjonesfanpage