August 19, 2020 was World Photography Day, (WPD).  Does photography really need a “day” ??  With all the means to capture a face, an event or breaking news; photography has become an accepted way of life to communicate, many times in place of language.  One need look no further than the numerous social media platforms displaying visual photographs and words.  That lack of person to person interaction comes with consequences, however, that is not the central theme to my Blog, nevertheless, a worthy conversation for another time.   

   I have long thought, because photography originates from a mechanical device, whether it be a film camera, Digital SLR or cell phone, the public is predisposed to believe the photograph is literal and accurate, “if I were there, I’d see the same thing” !!  Photographers themselves would be better served if there were a World Creative Photography Day, or more in line with my approach, Creative Visual Artists Day.  My intent is to not turn this month’s Story Behind Every Photograph into written words explaining a photograph, rather to highlight my departure from reality and the creative application of what was in front of my camera at a particular moment in time.  First, I’ll preface my imagery in the following paragraph. 

   In my pursuit of wet process film and silver perfection I gave less thought to the creative application of my skills.  Then I read the book Net and the Butterfly, I learned that creativity was not something magically God given to a chosen few, rather was born from tireless work in perfecting one’s craft.  Removing the mechanics of capturing an image and all its calculations allows the mind to wander or day dream opening a second, little known network in the brain.  I wrote an extensive Blog on my application of the Net and the Butterfly and gave a live presentation to an Arts Council in New Haven that is preserved in a YouTube video.  Now, understanding creativity was in my reach I have worked much harder on the creative side of my photography skills rather than the application of technique, which had become all but second nature at this point in my career.  I decided to share 24 images, each one representing each hour of WPD.  All but two images are large Black & White film and two are cell phone captures, each with an eye towards creativity and execution of technique and spacial relationships. I’ve tried to share in one descriptive line the emotions of each moment.  Please, let your imagination see what you feel and share a comment if so inclined !!

Midnight WPD…Sometimes Photography can be Lyrical !

1 am WPDSometimes Photography can be Geometric !

2 am WPDSometimes Photography can be Chilling !

3 am WPD...Sometimes Photography can project Hope !

4 am WPDSometimes Photography can be Challenging !

5 am WPD...Sometimes Photography can be Historic !

6 am WPD...Sometimes Photography can happen Dawn to Dusk !

7 am WPD...Sometimes Photography can turn Ordinary into Extraordinary !

8 am WPD...Sometimes Photography can bring one to Tears !

9 am WPD...Sometimes Photography can be Majestic !

10 am WPD...Sometimes Photography can be Spontaneous !

11 am WPDSometimes Photography can be Seasonal !

12 noon WPDSometimes Photography can be Joyous !

1 pm WPDSometimes Photography can be Abstract !

2 pm WPD...Sometimes Photography can be Transcend Time !

3 pm WPD...Sometimes Photography can be Breathtaking !

4 pm WPD…Sometimes Photography can be Erotic !

5 pm WPD...Sometimes Photography can Freeze Time & Place !

6 pm WPD…Sometimes Photography can be Mysterious !

7 pm WPD...Sometimes Photography can be Brightly Colored !

8 pm WPD...Sometimes Photography can be Grandfatherly !

9 pm WPDSometimes Photography can be Suggestive !

10 pm WPD...Sometimes Photography can be Awe Inspiring !

11 pm WPDSometimes Photography can be one’s Legacy !