Personal Blog of Writer & Photographer Terry Osterhout
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
The Wicked, Wicked Lens
Perspective is everything when it comes to art, as ART is subjective.
People who have traveled, worked, experienced life, and who regularly put themselves in the shoes of others' can appreciate a worldview that differs from their own.
Those who have grown up absorbing pop culture, studied psychology, have people smarts, and who know their way around art museums and galleries, aren't easily offended.
On the other hand, some people don't venture outside of their comfort zones, and are easily offended or upset by images, movies and music that contain themes they don't agree with. I am only offended typically by harm to children or animals, but now and then a special level of ignorance by people too lazy to educate themselves, can also offend me.
An artist should never self censor or self edit during creation. Art inspires and moves us forward as a species, and as a result, science often takes it's lead from ideas and themes presented in art.
Art can break cultural barriers and help people expand their perspectives.
Anything that stimulates conversation is a positive thing, especially if it isn't actually hurting anyone.
My work, for instance, can often contain nudity, sexual themes, and cinematic violence, all intended for an adult audience, but good art shouldn't be for all audiences. I am always pleased when someone likes my work, and accepting of the idea that some people dislike it, as well.
Haters need to hate what they personally don't understand or appreciate, and they have that right and luxury in a free society. When I dislike something (usually because it is painfully mediocre) I simply avoid it, but some folks aren't happy until they complain and whine about something they dislike until they let everyone know how they feel. (LOL, have fun with farting in the wind to an invisible audience. That existence seems miserable.)
Part of my process of creating is to explore a theme that confuses or intrigues me, and discover the answers of how it affects me as I am seeing it realized. I like to peel back the layers of mystery through the image making.
My approach is often "I have this idea, and it seems insane, so let's try to create this work and see how we feel about it after it is complete." I am lucky to have worked with models who want to explore and create in this fashion, as well.
Sometimes my work shocks me too, but it is very satisfying to see how others respond to it, lovers and haters alike.
My one rule when photographing models has always been to consistently make the models look good, cool and interesting.
In some ways, there is little that is original and new in the art of photography, but in other aspects, it is still a fresh and new medium of expression.
Every time I think I might be done with photography, I realize I have more to say so they might as well bury me with my camera when I die, so I can capture the inside of my coffin because I can't actually see myself ever quitting.
People who have traveled, worked, experienced life, and who regularly put themselves in the shoes of others' can appreciate a worldview that differs from their own.
Those who have grown up absorbing pop culture, studied psychology, have people smarts, and who know their way around art museums and galleries, aren't easily offended.
On the other hand, some people don't venture outside of their comfort zones, and are easily offended or upset by images, movies and music that contain themes they don't agree with. I am only offended typically by harm to children or animals, but now and then a special level of ignorance by people too lazy to educate themselves, can also offend me.
An artist should never self censor or self edit during creation. Art inspires and moves us forward as a species, and as a result, science often takes it's lead from ideas and themes presented in art.
Art can break cultural barriers and help people expand their perspectives.
Anything that stimulates conversation is a positive thing, especially if it isn't actually hurting anyone.
My work, for instance, can often contain nudity, sexual themes, and cinematic violence, all intended for an adult audience, but good art shouldn't be for all audiences. I am always pleased when someone likes my work, and accepting of the idea that some people dislike it, as well.
Haters need to hate what they personally don't understand or appreciate, and they have that right and luxury in a free society. When I dislike something (usually because it is painfully mediocre) I simply avoid it, but some folks aren't happy until they complain and whine about something they dislike until they let everyone know how they feel. (LOL, have fun with farting in the wind to an invisible audience. That existence seems miserable.)
Part of my process of creating is to explore a theme that confuses or intrigues me, and discover the answers of how it affects me as I am seeing it realized. I like to peel back the layers of mystery through the image making.
My approach is often "I have this idea, and it seems insane, so let's try to create this work and see how we feel about it after it is complete." I am lucky to have worked with models who want to explore and create in this fashion, as well.
Sometimes my work shocks me too, but it is very satisfying to see how others respond to it, lovers and haters alike.
My one rule when photographing models has always been to consistently make the models look good, cool and interesting.
In some ways, there is little that is original and new in the art of photography, but in other aspects, it is still a fresh and new medium of expression.
Every time I think I might be done with photography, I realize I have more to say so they might as well bury me with my camera when I die, so I can capture the inside of my coffin because I can't actually see myself ever quitting.
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
What Happens When You Fall in Love with Your Muse
For years I photographed models, male and female, nude and clothed, and I never developed crushes or non-professional feelings for them, and I am certain they didn't for me either.
Though I shot regularly with different models, I was really looking for a creative partner who wouldn't mind developing more intensive projects and shooting frequently.
I was always on the lookout for my muse.
I often mistakenly believed I had found her, and would get really excited about a particular model but for whatever reason, they would not be as interested in a long-term creative partnership.
Maybe what I didn't realize is that if I found that one perfect model, she might also be the love of my life, and that is what ended up happening when I met Liz La Point.
Working with Liz was so rewarding and stimulating that I found myself not wanting to shoot any other models. I found myself wanting to photograph her every chance I got.
I remained professional in the beginning, but our commonalities were overwhelming, (both non-religious, vegetarian, free-spirits) and our mutual attraction and admiration for one another was too strong to deny.
As a rule, I would suggest most photographers not fall in love with their models, and to treat the business of making art as clinical and professional as possible, unless you meet someone like Liz who you would never forgive yourself if you let her slip away.
As an artist, I am lucky to have found a creative partner to challenge me and force me to improve and evolve. As a man, I am lucky to have found the woman of my dreams who gets me like no one else ever has.
Check out Liz's blog at https://thenakedadvice.wordpress.com
Though I shot regularly with different models, I was really looking for a creative partner who wouldn't mind developing more intensive projects and shooting frequently.
I was always on the lookout for my muse.
I often mistakenly believed I had found her, and would get really excited about a particular model but for whatever reason, they would not be as interested in a long-term creative partnership.
Maybe what I didn't realize is that if I found that one perfect model, she might also be the love of my life, and that is what ended up happening when I met Liz La Point.
Working with Liz was so rewarding and stimulating that I found myself not wanting to shoot any other models. I found myself wanting to photograph her every chance I got.
I remained professional in the beginning, but our commonalities were overwhelming, (both non-religious, vegetarian, free-spirits) and our mutual attraction and admiration for one another was too strong to deny.
As a rule, I would suggest most photographers not fall in love with their models, and to treat the business of making art as clinical and professional as possible, unless you meet someone like Liz who you would never forgive yourself if you let her slip away.
As an artist, I am lucky to have found a creative partner to challenge me and force me to improve and evolve. As a man, I am lucky to have found the woman of my dreams who gets me like no one else ever has.
Check out Liz's blog at https://thenakedadvice.wordpress.com
Economics of Social Media
I have come to love sharing and interacting with other artists on sites like Twitter and Ello, but I found Facebook and Instagram too restrictive and not genuinely artist friendly.
Sharing on Twitter, doesn't allow for much explanation or deconstruction of the art, so I thought I would start blogging about the hows and whys of some of my photographic sets.
My 5 Year Project with Model Liz La Point, required us to collaborate regularly on photo shoots and sets for inclusion in books I was working on, and to explore old ideas and concepts that I hadn't been able to previously explore with other models.
Having a fearless, risk-taker, who was open and free of shame, allowed me to delve much deeper than I had previously.
Conceptual photography is about fantasy, and about reflecting ideas from the artist's imagination. I often explored themes that had been bouncing around in my head since the early formation of my first sexual thoughts, so as I teenager growing up with comic books, video games and weird low budget movies, I would often meld the past with the present.
In my "Gamer" set, I placed Model Liz La Point in my library of comic books, photo art books, magazines and action figures and had let her loose on my Atari 2600.
In an outfit and make-up ensemble that looked more fitting for a New Year's Eve party, Liz went from playful, to frustrated, to abandoning the game and her clothing altogether.
It is my favorite set of mine.
I loved how Liz played the character and how youthful and fun it was, showing video games aren't just for males, nor are they just for children anymore.
Buy the book "I Love Liz La Point - 5 Years of Art & Love"
Eyes are such a gift. I am forever amazed at human beings and how we develop new ways of seeing. Photography is one of the most mesmerizing innovations in human history, and to be able to not just preserve our favorite moments, but to also turn them into art, is still awe-inspiring to me.
My interest in art and photography grew from my love of nature. Growing up in the isolated woods of Northern Michigan, I spent the majority of my childhood in those woods, exploring and discovering.
Though my decades in New York City and Southern California were deeply enriching, returning to the place of my formative years has been an asset to my art.
I have truly come full circle, in spite of all of the years I spent trying to escape my past.
The accompanying image is from my tribute to Guido Crepax from my "The Visitor" set with Model Liz La Point.
My interest in art and photography grew from my love of nature. Growing up in the isolated woods of Northern Michigan, I spent the majority of my childhood in those woods, exploring and discovering.
Though my decades in New York City and Southern California were deeply enriching, returning to the place of my formative years has been an asset to my art.
I have truly come full circle, in spite of all of the years I spent trying to escape my past.
The accompanying image is from my tribute to Guido Crepax from my "The Visitor" set with Model Liz La Point.
Monday, January 2, 2017
Growing up in the 1970's & 80's, I worshipped the anti-heroes, the rock stars & the fallen. My heroes were Jim Morrison, Syd Vicious, & James Dean. By the time I graduated high school, I wanted to be Mickey Rourke.
I don't want my son growing up emulating the behavior of lost souls. I want him to have goals and focus.
All of the precious time wasted drinking alcohol or consuming massive amounts of hard drugs might be my biggest regret in life, and it isn't what I want for my child, or anyone else's child.
America has such an excess problem.
I never did anything high or drunk I am proud of.
I spent my 30's sober, and it was amazing, and a sharp contrast to the blur that was my 20's.
Artists don't need to be intoxicated to create, they use to medicate from being misunderstood.
I'm not one to preach because I understand how easy it is to struggle with addiction but I'd love to be a positive influence for anyone struggling with these particular demons.
It is a long road to finding one's self, and I suspect we don't truly know who we are until the moment of our death.
To be remembered positively is everlasting life.
I don't want my son growing up emulating the behavior of lost souls. I want him to have goals and focus.
All of the precious time wasted drinking alcohol or consuming massive amounts of hard drugs might be my biggest regret in life, and it isn't what I want for my child, or anyone else's child.
America has such an excess problem.
I never did anything high or drunk I am proud of.
I spent my 30's sober, and it was amazing, and a sharp contrast to the blur that was my 20's.
Artists don't need to be intoxicated to create, they use to medicate from being misunderstood.
I'm not one to preach because I understand how easy it is to struggle with addiction but I'd love to be a positive influence for anyone struggling with these particular demons.
It is a long road to finding one's self, and I suspect we don't truly know who we are until the moment of our death.
To be remembered positively is everlasting life.
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