Imperfection is key

One of the most influential relationships an artist can have is with imperfection. It took me many years to learn and understand that, and it’s still an ongoing process. At some point in my life I will be a painter; for fun, for fee, who knows, but I know painting will be a media of expression for me. I need to be in a room with paint, brushes, and a blank canvas and have the cathartic experience of smearing said canvas with color. No rules, no expectations, no judgement, most importantly, no need for perfection; just creation.

For now, photography serves as my medium to discover and connect with imperfection. I had a wonderful opportunity to discover some images after a hike at the Trebek Open Space, a short hike in the Hollywood Hills, just outside of Runyon Canyon. I say that I discovered the images all because of imperfection. The conditions upon which I visited this hike were “imperfect.” There was a tremendous fog and haze over the city on this particular Tuesday morning. It did not stop me from shooting anyway. What I have learned in situations like this, is that the post processing, editing the images later will undoubtedly create an opportunity to unveil and discover some interesting images. (Adobe Bridge - Camera Raw is the tool I use if you were wondering).

These images turned out to be a lot of fun. Something I’ve always loved about film is how consciously and subconsciously, color affects how you receive and perceive a film. Every director and cinematographer is different. Some are subtle and some hit you over the head with color and saturation. There is no right or wrong in artistry. It’s all about story and expression. What are you trying to say and why? I’ve always liked to adhere to the school of having a 360 creative heart; be able to stretch and do anything in the name of expression or storytelling. If it needs to be perfect and clean, be perfect. If it needs to be ugly, let be ugly.

I know I have a propensity towards established compositions, I want to give you structured information in an image. I want you to understand what I’m showing you or saying. Also, I like to add a little bit more color than is required for a sense of life and vibrancy. I like silhouettes. Most of all, I like clean exposure. I don’t like overblown highlights and wide ranging contrasts too often. These images definitely pushed that last “rule” of what I like about images, and that’s good. It pushed my notions of perfection into imperfection. In the process, a very intense rendition of the LA skyline emerged and I love it: