Creativity; once in a while or a driving force? Living in the moment focused and in tune to every nuance. To see what is before you and be compelled to comment, visually or verbally. Since March of 2003 I have been creating verbal images after 30 plus years of creating photographic art/commentary with some occasional journal and poetry writing an injury temporarily silenced my visual voice. Still compelled to comment I found writing to be as creative an outlet for me as photographic art. Thirty years of seeking the highlight, celebrating beauty, youth was replaced [not totally] with a more documentary look at the world as it is now. No longer am I a romantic realist, more a cynical optimist. The pen is mightier than the sword so the old axiom goes, but today’s history is being written with disappearing ink to be spun and re-spun to suit the needs of those with the biggest swords.
In my next book I will loosely marry images and words to create emotional avenues for thought. You remember thinking, focusing on one thing and doing it well! Pre multi tasking forced goodnuff tasks to be completed so you can continue down the road of distraction missing everything of beauty that may cloud your vision of the profit just around the bend. More creative tangents later.
Below is a sample page from the next book. The image is bigger on my website. I invite you to vist and listen to the images. Of course you can buy one or a copy of my first book. Art is my only career, not a second job or a retirement hobby. Art is a profession. enjoy pjc
comments encouraged. Photographic Art

The body and the mind – separate entities not working together. The body hurts the mind depressed shuts down. The why becomes why bother? Its not a question of what the equipment can’t do it is a question of making the equipment {body} do what you want it to. How long though? The work I am doing [not doing want to do] all are large, long projects. Is there time? Preparing to die. A life of organized chaos. ART. Singing to an empty auditorium. Young with something to say believing that someone will listen. That someone can hear, will care? I, I, I, ME, ME, ME, The over educated masses can do algebra, calculate interest but do they care? De humanized by speed and greed educated to worship profit. How long can I believe? Do I still? Anyone listening…….. The step between spring and summer, fall and winter. The body has made it to late Autumn, the mind never found its way out of Spring The distance from spring to late fall is a leap. A leap of faith or fear? A leap I may not make.

The pigeons fly from one roof around the bank and back a group without a leader or purpose just doing it over and over without feeling.

© Peter J. Crowley 1/27/04

It was said to me when I was a student of photography at Paier College of Art in Ct. A professor suggested that every image you make is a self portrait. When you look at an image this way the photo becomes more a reflection of your feelings than just that of an object. That object maybe anything from an old house or a nude. When you look at it as a mirror then more of you and your emotion are visible. The internet has created a coloring book for an object based group of “Artists” and “model/talent” where all that is important is the surface/subject, all composition is done if at all as an after thought in PS or whatever post production software you use. My work is front end composition a way of seeing the entire frame, not just the pretty girl. The negative space that frames your subject says as much as your subject. Here is a statement of mine, what am I saying here? How clear is my message and is the message the same for all viewers? enjoy pjc.

If this blog allows you to post photos as part of your response please do.

Peter J. Crowley
Photographic Art
Be Art.

My new scanner can do slides, my old eyes have trouble selectiong the size, hence the extra black border. A Couple years back I wrote an interactive dicussion column call “Traditional Photographic Art” on Nikonians. I’ve had this blog now for a few weeks and have been milling over thoughts on where to go with it. Those who read my old column know that I strayed far in some peoples mind from photographic art. But in this multi tasking world I think everything is an image. To me I’m focused on one thing. Image not to be confused with spin or prosumer photos.
The latest new and improved “camera” will not take better photos. It is the photographer who takes the photo or better it is the artist that makes the negative. So this blog will be about the artist who creates, primarilly with film. recently I was at an opening and I was introduced to someone. I inquired are you a photographer, before they could answer someone chimed in she has a camera of course she is an artist. Well never being one to hold my tonge I replied so if I have a paint brush does that make me Picasso? It wasn’t well recieved. My point and my thoughts here are what makes one person an artist and another a photographer or one who has a camera. Is that Eve’s Apple or food for thought. Comments welcome on the image and on my ramblings, be nice and be honest. this blog will change haphasordly for a while as I find direction. Those of you who have read me in the past know that I enjoy rambling and metaphors. Philosophy and Photography often merge. Please take time to visit my website. Its late. enjoy pjc