I’m an Artist

This is my answer to every person who say’s (or responds to social media/thinks) “You use photoshop, don’t you?” Yes, I do. I even use Lightroom and several other programs to get the photo look I desire. I’m an artist, I create.

I was going to title this post, ‘I’ve Always Been an Artist’, but decided against it as I thought it sounded like an apology.

I don’t apologize.

I’m not sorry that I use tools to make photos more desirable to MY eye. I love the technology that allows the manipulation of items to achieve the look my eye enjoys. If I posted and created things I don’t like— what’s the point?

Truth is, I do want you to like what I make, but I’m an artist (thus the title)- I’ve got to like my creations/captures. I’ve got to be inspired before I share, it’s what moves me to continue to create… and hopefully inspire you in the process.

Now, that being said- I’ve always been an artist. I’ve been using pencil, brush, pen- even clay to create since my freshman year in high school. It’s who I am- what I do.

Starting with a blank sheet and using specific medium to achieve something I already see in my head is so very inspiring. Especially when it’s achieved. When I put camera to eye and look through the lens, what I see is not what’s just seen. In my head I see the final outcome- the final vision. If that does not make sense- let me give you an example of what I’m talking about.

Look at the photos.

Top photo is from Reelfoot Lake State Park, located in western Tennessee. I went there yesterday to catch the sunrise and capture cypress trees. They also have a few bald eagles in a giant enclosure being rehabilitated, so I took this photo (along with about 100 others) of the massive bird perched on a log. This is what my camera saw. This photo is straight from the camera- no touch up, no color adjustments.

The middle photo is a capture from 200’ above my house. I took it last fall with my DJI Mavic 3 drone one evening. As I looked at the bird in the cage- I wondered, how he would look in this photo— then began pressing the actuator on my Sony camera.

I came home last night and began putting what my camera saw (top photo) into my inspirational photo (middle photo) to create.

The bottom photo is what I saw in my head.

It’s why I get up early on the weekends, leave early for work, take the long way home, and drive many, many miles.

It’s about capturing the moment through the lens, using the image in my head through inspiration and then creating the final image. Now, I hope you like it.

Maybe I named this blog incorrectly after all, maybe it should have been—

I’m an Unapologetic Artist

I like that (deep sigh), I like that a lot.

Keep creating,

Jack

What my camera saw

My inspiration

What I saw in my head