Mike, it was almost scary to see your entry appear so soon after the theme announcement. Such a clever, funny idea, and so perfectly executed - before I'd even had a chance to get the camera out!
Your web site is showing a mature, consistent style along with a great variety of ideas.
Hey guys! Thanks for the replies. They always mean so much to me. You guys have always been so supportive. To be honest, I'm getting a little board with my work. It's the same ol with a different concept I do like the concepts, style, comp and the lighting of my shots but that's where it ends. I know many will agree with me. I don't want to put my camera away but I feel the need to change. Maybe moving away from the conceptual simple stuff will open up new doors.
Nov 29, 2008 at 05:17 PM
Steve Spencer Online • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
Your work is always terrific. Your skills are phenomenal and your work is always though provoking. This week is no different. Your shot is fabulous. If I may offer a suggestion, however, perhaps you are getting bored partly because your latest shots are more thought provoking and less an expression of deep feeling. Although I have always been blown away by all your work, they very best pieces that still strike me the most clearly expressed deep emotion. I am thinking of two in particular. One for the theme obsession with a scarf and a chain and another one in which you made a metal door over your heart come to mind very easily. I bet that if you can put that sort of feeling into your shots you won't be bored with your work. Don't get me wrong, I love the conceptual stuff too, but I really love the stuff that packs a big emotional punch.
Steve Spencer wrote:
Hi Mike,
Your work is always terrific. .... Although I have always been blown away by all your work, the very best pieces that still strike me the most clearly expressed deep emotion. I am thinking of two in particular. One for the theme obsession with a scarf and a chain and another one in which you made a metal door over your heart come to mind very easily. I bet that if you can put that sort of feeling into your shots you won't be bored with your work. Don't get me wrong, I love the conceptual stuff too, but I really love the stuff that packs a big emotional punch.
Best wishes, Steve S....Show more →
Well said, Steve! Those two images are definitely two of my favs! (plus the "Crutch" shot.)
~ Carrol
Vipermike wrote:
Hey guys! Thanks for the replies. They always mean so much to me. You guys have always been so supportive. To be honest, I'm getting a little board with my work. It's the same ol with a different concept I do like the concepts, style, comp and the lighting of my shots but that's where it ends. I know many will agree with me. I don't want to put my camera away but I feel the need to change. Maybe moving away from the conceptual simple stuff will open up new doors.
Mike,
Another way to draw out creativity is to introduce limitations. (That's why having a Theme is so great for the WA's - as opposed to just-put-up-your-best-shot-of-anything this week.)
You are incredibly talented at studio shots - and very comfortable with them, too!
May I offer a suggestion/challenge:
Put some new limitations on yourself. Say something like, "No matter what the theme is next week, I'm going to shoot it outside, or next to a window - using only natural light. Or maybe go to a mall and capture something that's fitting - instead of setting up the shot yourself! There are lots of possibilities... just throw another limitation in the mix besides the week's Theme. It will force you to think in different ways... solve the problem in a way you're not used to.
Just my thoughts.
~ Carrol
That image is the way I sometimes feel about my being into photography but I carry on anyway with the hope of improving. Always that mountain to climb and when you get to the top you look for more challenges.
Best. Bill
PS. I don't really have to tell you how good your pic turned out do I?
Hey Mike, I remember mentioning something to this affect like two or three assignments ago. Do you recall? Your work is fantastic and you know that. Similar yes, but regardless, great execution and even more conceptually. For this particular time frame, you have found exactly who you are as a photographer and maxed it out (at least with the WA's and this sight) but to explore another complete realm....would simply take you down another path. The skills are there so I don't think it would really matter much, but what it would show is your experience while you search and you would be able to show us as you go. Take for instance my gallery? When I first came on, I won right away from a lucky shot.... From there, I have been in search or trying to find "ME" but instead, what I found was a lot of different styles, challenges, flavors etc etc in my surroundings. Created some very cool shots, but not so much on the conceptual side of it. I don't have the best gallery, but you can really see exactly that if you look at it. Maybe we need to switch? ha ha.....I am so young into all this that who am I you know... I just know you will be fine no matter what way you go. Just keep shooting however because I am sure we would all like to see your journey and story behind it.
Beautiful light and composition along with another clever idea. Bravo, my friend! 
I do like the concepts, style, comp and the lighting of my shots but that's where it ends. I know many will agree with me. I don't want to put my camera away but I feel the need to change. Maybe moving away from the conceptual simple stuff will open up new doors. 
