Sight & Vision

Sight is defined as "the power or faculty of seeing; perception of objects by use of the eyes". Anyone with working eyes can see but do they have vision? Vision is defined as "the act or power of anticipating that which will or may come to be". As a creative person I credit vision with the results of the shot I take and convert into works of art. The ability to see the raw material of a photograph or shot to be taken and realize the potential is a product of vision. Creatives, follow your vision!

These photographs were taken at the naval and rail museums at Battleship Cove in Fall River, MA. Yes, this is one of my favorite places to shoot!

Limitless

The Way is a limitless vessel;
Used by the self, it is not filled by the world;
It cannot be cut, knotted, dimmed or stilled;
Its depths are hidden, ubiquitous and eternal;
I don't know where it comes from;
It comes before nature.

-LaoTze-

I created something beautiful - now what?

When an artist creates a piece of work and is pleased with it, naturally he/she feels as though buyers should be beating down the doors offering a great price for it! At least that is how I feel.

The challenge for me is not what to shoot or how to express it but rather, how do I get people who are in the market for art to see and ultimately to purchase my work! I am struggling with this challenge as I am sure many artists do - so what is the answer? Do I make prints, frame them and go door to looking for potential sales? Do I setup a table at the local convenience store and push my art there? Do I try unsolicited marketing like sending fliers or brochures to businesses? Arrrggg!! I am stuck.

Patience is a virtue with which I was not well endowed, so my need to see results forces me to find a marketing solution. I will troll the net and speak to any and everyone until the answer reveals itself...

Without Action

Not praising the worthy prevents contention,
Not esteeming the valuable prevents theft,
Not displaying the beautiful prevents desire.

In this manner the sage governs people:
Emptying their minds,
Filling their bellies,
Weakening their ambitions,
And strengthening their bones.

If people lack knowledge and desire
Then they can not act;
If no action is taken
Harmony remains.

-LaoTze-

Sheldon Straker PHOTOGRAPHY

Tranquility

On Sunday, May 24th, while driving with my wife on our return from the Home Depot, I noticed that there were small sail boats and yachts in the water near Battleship Cove and thought "those could make for some interesting photos" and made a mental note to return with my gear. I woke up early (around 6am) yesterday morning (Monday May 25th), motivated and energized with the intention of capturing as many good shots in the early morning light as possible. Boy did I luck out. Not only were the vessels anchored, and the lighting great but the water was just glassy enough to produce the perfect effect.

Inspired by the chapter "Water" from the Dao De Jing:

Water

The best of man is like water,
Which benefits all things, and does not contend with them,
Which flows in places that others disdain,
Where it is in harmony with the Way.

So the sage:
Lives within nature,
Thinks within the deep,
Gives within impartiality,
Speaks within trust,
Governs within order,
Crafts within ability,
Acts within opportunity.

He does not contend, and none contend against him.

-LaoTze-

Welcome!

This is a Blog about the journey of an aspiring fine art photographer who is trying to improve his skills, market his work (which will result in sales - think positively), make people smile or feel something when they view his art and generally become a better human being!

My recent work has been inspired by the writings of LaoTze and hence the title! I have been reading various translations of the Dao De Jing and each one though slightly different, captures the same essential premise of simplicity and selflessness. I have started to create photo series that speak to a specific section of the text. The first series was inspired by Abstraction -

Abstraction

When beauty is abstracted
Then ugliness has been implied;
When good is abstracted
Then evil has been implied.

So alive and dead are abstracted from nature,
Difficult and easy abstracted from progress,
Long and short abstracted from contrast,
High and low abstracted from depth,
Song and speech abstracted from melody,
After and before abstracted from sequence.

The sage experiences without abstraction,
And accomplishes without action;
He accepts the ebb and flow of things,
Nurtures them, but does not own them,
And lives, but does not dwell.

-LaoTze-


See more in the Abandoned Gallery