My Friend: My heart aches for Ukraine. I am glued to the news and am constantly asking myself: what more can I do? Then last night I suddenly realized that I could help others appreciate what the Ukrainian people are like. In 2008 I visited my son (Cody) and soon to be daughter-in-law (Erica) who were serving in the Peace Corps in Ukraine. While there, I created a portfolio entitled “Ukrainians, with Eyes Shut.” Here’s how the project came about: Whenever I go to a new area to photograph, I make no preparations. I do not research the area, look at travel guides or other photographer’s work. I want to go with a completely open mind and hope that I’ll find something that inspires me. Well, I had been looking for something for three days and hadn’t come up with anything, and I was starting to feel some time pressure as my days were slipping away. Well, pressure never helps my creativity and so that caused even more anxiety! I found the people interesting, but I always hate photographing people in a foreign country, because they put on a “camera face” for you. You know, that big smile. |
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On this trip, I didn’t have the time…or a common language, to get to know the real person and get past the smile. And I sure didn’t want to come home with a bunch of smiling Ukrainian images. I was pondering how to resolve this problem, when an idea came into my mind: why not ask people to close their eyes? Perhaps it might remove the “camera face” and yield something interesting. |
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My first “Ukrainian, with Eyes Shut” image and my favorite |
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And so I tried it. I was at a bus stop where I saw this gentleman and asked if I could photograph him, which I did, and then asked him to close his eyes. And it worked! It removed the big smile and I liked the effect. This was my first, and favorite “Ukrainians, with Eyes Shut” image. Even now as I look at it, it makes me laugh. |
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People’s reaction to my request were usually one of surprise, but almost everyone willingly allowed me to photograph them…with their eyes shut. I remember photographing this man in an alley way, and my wife commented that it reminded her of her grandfather. |
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This young woman was a student whom my son taught in Beryslav. I’ve wondered about his students and what had become of them. Have they fled Ukraine, are they fighting, or are they dead? |
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This man scared the hell out of me! He was our taxi driver for several days, and the driving in Ukraine was crazy and dangerous. My son and I were squeezed in the front seat, and Cody told me that it would insult him if I put on my seat belt (it would insinuate that he was a bad driver, which he kinda was!) |
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This is a homeless man we met in the park. He was so very nice, and we gave him some food. |
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This young man was pretty funny! He was a comedian and told me that one day he was going to be the president of Ukraine! He was just such a character and wouldn’t close his eyes for me, so I had to settle for one eye shut. |
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This images saddens me. This is Natasha, she was my son’s Ukrainian supervisor and became a family friend. Natasha lives in Beryslav, and this was her text message to me today: “They (Russians) are in some areas of Kherson. The enemy began to mine Kherson. Eyewitnesses report that they installed “trip wires” in the city center – near the building of Scythia. But the city is holding on and so are the people.” We have asked Natasha to leave Ukraine, while she still can, but she has animals and we doubt she will leave them. I get it. |
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This old man was at a spring collecting water for his sick wife. Ukrainians believe the water from this spring has healing properties. |
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This is Lesha, I met him at a train station as he was returning home from a wrestling match. Where is Lesha today I wonder? Defending his country? Protecting his wife, his children and his parents? |
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This cocky fellow wouldn’t let me photograph him unless I paid him an American dollar! I normally wouldn’t do that simply out of principle, but I liked his boldness. |
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This is my friend Serg, whom I met in Lviv. Here is the email he sent yesterday: “Thank you for your participation in the events that are now the territory of my homeland, Ukraine. Russia dropped the first echelon of its troops. This will not be a quick war. At the expense of Lviv – now the war is not infantry and tanks, but the war of planes and missiles. So, within the reach of of the latest weapons owned by Russia, every piece of Ukraine’s territory is in sight. But we are with God. And if you are with God, then who is against you?” Serg is a new grandfather. I wonder what kind of country his granddaughter will grow up in? Will she be free or a slave of the state? |
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God bless you my friend, Serg. I admire you, your faith and courage. |
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A blind man, whose eyes are always shut. |
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This is the caretaker at a Monastery in Beryslav. In ancient times, hundreds of monks carved out alters in primitive underground caves where they worshipped. Now, there is only one monk and this solitary caretaker. |
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I met this Cossack on the streets of Kiev, where he played his instrument for money. Cossack’s were once known as fierce fighters, and perhaps this man is now engaged in the fight against the invading Russians? |
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So what are Ukrainians like? I found them to be a very generous people. The image above was taken at a picnic that was hosted for us by Cody’s Ukrainian friends. I remember that despite being poor (by our standards) they put on a big barbecue feast for us. I wanted to thank them by creating the image above. The picnic was on the Dnieper River, in Nova Kakhovka, which is now occupied territory. |
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“Ukrainians, with Eyes Shut” was a wonderful project because I got to know and make friends with the Ukrainian people. Perhaps if I had created this project today it might be entitled “Ukrainians, with Eyes Now Opened.” |
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Last night I watched one of my favorite movies; The Fountainhead. Gary Cooper stars as architect Howard Roark, a stubborn and uncompromising individualist. His designs are uniquely his, rejecting tradition and the opinions of the experts. Because of these attitudes, he is a threat to those who require subservience.
As I seek to create, to find my own vision, Howard Roark has the ideals and standards that I admire; strong, confident, independent, and uniquely creative.
The title of this blog is “Never ask people, not about your work” and is a quote from The Fountainhead. Roark had attended college with a fellow architect who’s idea of success was to gain the approval and admiration of others. He came to Howard to ask him what he thought of his work:
“If you want my advice, Peter,” he said at last, “you’ve made a mistake already. By asking me, by asking anyone. Never ask people, not about your work. Don’t you know what you want? How can you stand it, not to know?”
Roark’s designs were not based on what the public wanted, and he didn’t judge his success by how others reacted to it. He had a vision and it was unimportant what others thought. In another scene Roark declares:
“I don’t make comparisons. I never think of myself in relation to anyone else. I just refuse to measure myself as part of anything. I’m an utter egotist.
The exact opposite of Howard Roarke is Ellsworth M. Tooey, an architectural critic who depends on the opinions of others for his power. He fears individualistic thinking because he knows that such men cannot be controlled. Here is Tooey’s thoughts on art:
“Artistic value is achieved collectively by each man subordinating himself to the standards of the majority.”
Because Tooey fears Roark’s individualism and refusal to subordinate himself to Tooey, he attempts to destroy him by ensuring that no one will commission him to design a building. After having successfully accomplishing this, Tooey has a chance encounter with Roark and wants to hear Roark acknowledge him:
“We’re alone. Why don’t you tell me what you think of me?”
“But I don’t think of you”
Tooey is devastated, for his self worth is measured externally by how others view him. Roark gave him the worse blow he could have received, he didn’t hate or admire Tooey, he didn’t think of him at all.
Roark is ultimately confident and is not constrained by others, he knows that he can do anything that he wants. In this exchange, Roark’s is being expelled from college for not conforming to his professor’s views on architectural design. The College Dean tells Roark that no one will allow him to design such work:
“My dear fellow, who will let you [design such work]?”
“That’s not the point. The point is, who will stop me?”
This is how I wish to live my art; Independently, strongly, passionately and confidently. My only measure of success shall be against my own internal standards. I simply seek to develop my talent and to express myself through my art.
To be able to do that, and to be true to myself, is success.
Cole
Edward Weston
From Ansel Adam’s Biography on his first meeting Edward Weston at Albert Bender’s home:
“After dinner, Albert asked Edward to show his prints. They were the first work of such serious quality I had ever seen, but surprisingly I did not immediately understand or even like them; I thought them hard and mannered. Edward never gave the impression that he expected anyone to like his work. His prints were what they were. He gave no explanations; in creating them his obligation to the viewer was completed.”
I love Weston’s work, but I love his attitude even more; he created for himself.
Cole
P.S. I have an original print of the image above.
A friend recently wrote me and said that I had come a long way, and asked “What in retrospect could you share with me about your journey?”
My answer was:
1. I stopped thinking like a photographer and started thinking like an artist.
2. I quit looking at other photographer’s work; it lead to imitation and limited my imagination.
3. I stopped listening to other’s advice on my work; it was sincere advice but it came from the perspective of their vision, not mine.
4. I strove and am striving, to find my own Vision.
I am certain there will be those who disagree with these points, but remember I do not offer them as advice, but only share what worked for me.
Cole
Never center the subject! Everyone knows that rule.
I don’t like rules and I don’t like being told what to do. So I was taken aback when someone told me that my image of the Angel Gabriel (Click Here) didn’t work because Gabriel was centered. I had to disagree, that’s exactly why the image works!
I created the image above last week in San Diego, at LaJolla cove, its title is “Opposition in all Things.” Yes, I know it’s centered, and yes I know that breaks the rules! It’s not a masterpiece, but part of it’s charm (in my opinion) is that it’s centered. I like it like that.
I do readily admit that I’ve had this fascination with centering subjects for more than a year now, and I quite expect that I’ll have a new fixation next year. That’s okay, but what’s not okay is not trying something because of some dumb rule.
There are lots of “rules” in photography and I’m not sure who declared them rules, but I like to think of them as “vague suggestions.” Sure they might make sense some of the time, maybe even most of the time, but certainly not all of the time!
If you’re ever going to find your own style (and for me that’s what it’s all about) then you must not follow the rules. A fun exercise is to deliberately go out and break some rules. A few suggestions are:
* Wear plaids and stripes together
* Run with scissors in your hands
* Cry Wolf!
* Center your images
* Look in the mirror and say “I will ignore the rule of thirds”
If you’re looking for “Kodak Moment” then follow the rules. But if you’re looking to create great images, ones that you really love, then break the rules and see what you get. You might be surprised.
Cole
Why is there so much cancer around us? Is there really an increase in cancer rates or is it just talked about more? Is it safe to microwave plastic ware? Does organic food really help to prevent cancer?
I have so many friends, family members and associates with cancer that I ask myself these and many other questions. Yes, we’ve improved the treatments for cancer, but it so often seems to come back. Our treatments don’t seem to be addressing the root causes of the disease.
When I was a teen in 1971 we declared war on cancer, I think 20 years was the goal. It’s been almost 40 years now and the cure still seems to elude us.
I had the chance to photograph a friend who has cancer, had a mastectomy and is undergoing treatment. These photographs are about the human side of the disease.
This portfolio is entitled “Linnie, a Portrait of Cancer.”
View the Portfolio
Jesus Loves You – San Francisco, CA – 2006
“Jesus Loves You” has been coming to this Market and Powell intersection for seven years. No preaching, no condemning, no judging. Just patiently carrying this sign.
The day I took this picture, was one year to the day that I had first met him.
Cole
This is the Angel Gabriel. I met him on the Newport Beach pier as he was eating French Fries out of a trash can. He was homeless and hungry. I asked him if he would help me with a photograph and in return, I would buy him lunch.
The pier was very crowded and I wanted to take a 30 second exposure so that everyone would disappear except Gabriel. We tried a few shots and then Gabriel wanted to mess up his hair and hold his bible. The image worked and the only people you can see besides Gabriel are those “ghosts” who lingered long enough for the camera.
Gabriel and I then went into a restaurant to share a meal; he ordered steak with mushrooms and onions. When it came, he ate it with his hands. I discovered he was Romanian and so am I, so we talked about Romania. He was simple, kind and a pleasure to talk with.
I asked Gabriel how I might contact him, in case I sold some of the photographs and wanted to share the money with him. He said I should give the money to someone who could really use it; that he had everything that he needed.
Then the Angel Gabriel walked away, content and carrying his only two possessions: a Bible and a bed roll.
Cole
