A high level of creativity does not equate someone as an artist, creativity only grants people the mental tools to turn an original idea into something – a product – which is usually not art. Art, as my friend so elegantly spoke – ‘grabs you by the balls’ – so in other words, art has an affect on you in a blunter and sometimes more painful way.

During this road trip conversation, which shifted between backpacking trips and truck parts, we had pretty much reached the conclusion that truisms sucked – such as fishing in the rain, sucks. Just in time too, because by then we had reached our shoot destination had taken off our philosopher fedoras and extinguished our ridiculously long filtered cigarettes.

No more time for thinking, there was work to be done.

Studying art does not make you any more creative than say, wearing a fedora. But what studying art can do is make you aware of what affects you and the techniques used to make this impression deep in your conscience.

For example, I’ve always been affected by van Gogh’s ‘The Sower’ since I first saw it reprinted on a greeting card given to me by my girlfriend’s sister, which still hangs in my office after many years.

Something about ‘The Sower’s’ clean composition, the straight lines that make up the form of unplowed wheat and the story that I place in the furrowed field has always appealed to me – or affected me in a more painful way.

Clean composition has always appealed to me. I’m not sure why really, maybe because I’m so scattered brained and the clean form of lines focus my eyes and thoughts. Yes, layering your work – especially in photography – makes your work more visually appealing but I’m not talking about being appealed by a visual. I’m talking about focusing my thoughts and emotions – the true value I see in the art that affects me.

Art is personal, man.

Shifting gears. I leave you not with a painting of dogs playing poker but an iPhone photo of my dog, Sophie.

Is this photo, art? The short answer points to no, but let’s not get personal here, do that in the comment section.

Cheers,

Nathan

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Wikipedia roughly defines a flash mob as, ‘a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and pointless act for a brief time, then quickly disperse.’

That sounds fun, but what if that flash mob assembles for something more meaningful?

Well, that would be a ‘Social Mob for Good’ which is designed to raise awareness for social agencies around the world.

Their Facebook page reads:

“The mission of #somob4good is to raise awareness for social service agencies around the world.

Most social service agencies suffer from lack of funding and therefore cannot or are limited in providing much needed support in the communities they serve. So, let’s give them an opportunity for awareness.”

Friday’s flash mob, in Denver, was to raise awarness for Work Options for Women who’s mission is to help impoverished women gain the skills and confidence they need to work their way out of poverty and become gainfully and permanently employed in the food service industry.

Cheers,

Nathan

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Before leaving Denver I emailed asking if I could work on some portraits and lifestyle shots for my portfolio and his race resume. The reply was immediately and might as well been Ooh-rah!

Cheers,

Nathan

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This April I launched Square State Media to serve as an online gathering place for Colorado’s community of moonlighting creatives, freelancers, students and artists looking for an outlet to broadcast themselves and gain exposure through the power of social media.

It’s simply a way to link together a community and give them a place to exchange advice, new work and ideas to help Colorado stay creative.

I’m asking artists and other creative folks to post work and/or press releases to the site, which is free. From there I tweet out the new post and then post to the Square State Media Facebook Fan Page stream. Once the post is ‘live’ you are welcome, and encouraged, to post to your Twitter account, Facebook and whatever social media platform you enjoy. More eyes on your work, more inbound links to your business’ site.

There will be original content in the form of interviews and Q&A’s. Topics will range from business tips, technological updates and interviews with those that have made a successful business from their creative ideas. As always, I’m open to ideas.

As with most experiments, it could crash and burn but I have a feeling that Colorado could find Square State Media a valuable resource.

This experiment is being personally sponsored and supplemented  by a few Google ads in an effort to cover some of my startup costs and time – it’s hardly a commercial enterprise but a contribution to the community that has helped me so much over my career.

If you would like to promote your work please email to squarestatemedia@gmail.com or you can read more about the simple process of showing your work by visiting the ‘Show Your Work’ tab at the top of the page – or by clicking here.

Thanks, feedback is always welcome.

Cheers,

Nathan

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A blurb from his bio reads:

Son of an independent evangelist, John McConnell was born in Davis City, Iowa on March 22, 1915. His interest in religion, science, and peace has resulted in a number of projects and personal efforts to relieve human suffering and promote the common good. His interest has been in understanding human potentials and in seeking solutions to the crucial problems facing civilization.

Happy Earth Day!

Cheers,

Nathan

Brilliant.

Cheers,

Nathan

I personally feel the narrative is the most important aspect of a photograph. If the photo does not tell some sort of story through mood, facial expression or background, then the photo has failed you (i.e., the business owner) in broadcasting your message or brand to potential clients or customers.

Your message and brand is your narrative, sure it’s hard to sum up a storytelling photograph in 140 characters – that is a good thing. A good storytelling image will keep the conversation flowing, because people can relate or will make some sort of connection to a piece of your narrative.

You’re not just advertising or marketing your brand, but you are telling your story through the narrative.  The narrative does matter and photography is a vital and significant element that must be thoughtfully executed.

For example, let’s look at the atmospheric rise in photojournalistic wedding photography. The style is popular because the bride and groom want their story told. They understand that photography is an important part of the narrative.

It’s not popular because its cheap or easy, it’s popular because people are tired of being told what to see or feel when they look at an image. They want to look at the photograph and feel the flood of emotion. The photograph, in some cases, is the only slice of the story that pieces together the words, music and emotion from that specific narrative.

The narrative matters, so make your brand your own and see your vision through to the last pixel.

Cheers,

Nathan

Commercial photography company launches site focused on corporate marketing needs

DENVER, COLO. (February 9, 2010) – Freshwater Images, a Denver-based commercial photography company, has launched its new Web site: www.FreshwaterImages.com.

Freshwater Images’ Web site provides visitors with a robust portfolio for review and a regularly updated photo blog, which enables viewers to follow along as the company documents events, conventions and organizations throughout the Rocky Mountain West.

“I am thrilled to launch Freshwater Images’ site and provide our clients with an online source to view our services and work,” said Nathan W. Armes, Freshwater Images founder and owner. “I am also excited about our blog and the opportunity it offers our clients and the general public to keep an eye on some of the regional happenings and what Freshwater Images is working on.”

For more information about Freshwater Images’ Web site launch, visit www.FreshwaterImages.com or call 303-478-8484.

About Freshwater Images

A proponent of custom imagery for commercial use, Freshwater Images works with small to large companies and nonprofits to document their events and conventions, and develop product and service imagery for marketing purposes. The photography company also works with public relations and marketing firms to document their clients’ events and projects for photo distribution to the media. For more information about Freshwater Images, visit www.FreshwaterImages.com or call 303-478-8484.

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download official release

Cheers,

Nathan

Steve Wozniak explains how after 4 sleepless days and nights the idea for a color chip was hatched, thus glorious color.

Thank you for missing all that sleep.

Cheers,

Nathan

Cheers,

Nathan