Florence

Travel is What We Need!

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Study the works of the greatest photographers, like Henri Cartier-Bresson and André Kertész. Try to travel to many parts of the world and understand what a diverse world we live in. — Hiroji Kubota

When we travel it makes us realize how limited our minds are from where we live! The culture, the language, architecture, food, politics and religion.

Travel exposes us to history and the mindset of those whom we’ve studied from our teaching. What most Americans forget is that the United States is still pretty much a young country compared to the rest of world.

Staying in our own little world without venturing beyond the town’s borders gives people a sense of superiority. Comfort maybe? Now there is nothing wrong with living in a small town or village. We’ve met wonderful people throughout our travels. Speaking with them we find out that everyone where they live goes to the same Church. They dress the same, talk the same, have the same ideas and thought. If a stranger passed through they can spot them in a heartbeat.

Those that venture out to explore have told us that they’ve never been out of there hometown before. Different accents, different mindsets, different religious beliefs. I would take a guess and define this as culture shock. When we are approached and they’ve figured out that we come from New York. Usually the first question is asked with wide eyes, “Do you go on the subway”?

We take comfort in the little things that we become accustomed to. We build a box surrounding us to make us feel safe. We go to the same stores, the same restaurants and walk the same streets every day.

In Photography we call this “The Comfort Zone”! You step outside this little world and it hits you smack upside the head! Similar maybe to Stage Fright? Or possibly the reverse of Claustrophobia, if there is such a thing. Trying something new, eating something you’ve never had before. Listening to music you normally ignore. Trying something different! Getting out of your Comfort Zone might inspire you.

Travel is Not for everyone. But it’s the little things that can broaden your mind.

Keep and Tower
Shot using a Panasonic DMC-ZS40 in the Panasonic Raw File Format RW2

Have a Great Weekend everyone!

For the Love of Italy!

Art, Digital Photography, Google Nik Collection, Inspiration, Italy, Landscapes, Travel, Venice

Photography Quote:
To photograph is to hold one’s breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It’s at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy.
— Henri Cartier-Bresson
— From the book: “The Mind’s Eye: Writings on Photography and Photographers by Henri Cartier-Bresson

Welcome! It is with great humbleness that I would like to introduce to you Ishita Sood.
She is now on a Literary Journey to Help Celebrate the Montova Literature Festival.

You see she just started following my Photo Blog. To have someone with great credentials and credibility Liking and Following my pages helps me in knowing I’m doing something right.

Here is a Link to her page so you could read about both who she is and in her excitement for her upcoming travels: https://ishitasood.com

Now here is the Link to the Festival: http://www.festivaletteratura.it/en

In her Honor I am Posting a Gallery of my Images from our Adventures throughout Italy to Help her focus on her wonderful situation.

She is about to be both a Guest and International Blogger for the
Mantova Literature Festival!
Congratulations to #Ishita on her Journey!

MarkG

Happy October People!

Art, BW, Education, Google Nik Collection, Inspiration, Italy, Rant, Travel

Photography, as a powerful medium of expression and communications, offers an infinite variety of perception, interpretation and execution.
— Ansel Adams

First I’d Like to Announce that I am extremely Happy to say that due to popular demand I am now Opening up Fridays in both October and November for Mini Portrait Sessions.  Go here for more details:  MarkG-Photography.com/wordpress

 

What I find extremely funny is I’ve been approached again by someone asking me about purchasing a New Camera. The question was what camera can I recommend that they can then take beautiful pictures like me? I am very Flattered People but the Camera is Like a Pen, Pencil or Word processor. It’s Not the Weapon of choice it’s the person behind the camera that makes the beautiful Art!
The response is that they don’t want to bother with having to learn anything like that. They just want to make beautiful pictures!
Well Duh!! It’s taken me a Lifetime of Study Practice and Education to be able to do the Things I can with a Camera.  You see the Camera is a Paintbrush. I am able to learn how to use a Camera to push it to it’s Limits to be able to do the things I can. Do I know All Cameras? No! Of course Not. I am Not a Camera Salesman who works in one of the many Photography Stores.

If you want to Create Beautiful Art then I’m sorry.  Your going to have to Learn how to use that Camera.  Proper Exposure, Proper Lighting and of course you Must Learn Composition.  Go a head!  Pick up a Pen and try to Write a Beautiful Story? Or a Pot and Pan. Try to cook something that you’ve never made before without reading the recipe or at least watch the Cooking Channel or a Video from Youtube.

Here is One I am Posting from the Summer of 2014 in Florence, Italy
© MarkG-Photography
All Rights Reserved
Not to be Used Cropped Edited or Copied without Written Permission.

Sunrise over the Arno River.

Sunrise over the Arno River.

I also must Add that My Art can be Purchased.  You can contact me here.  My web site that I Posted above or email me for further Information.  email:  Info@MarkG-Photography.com
Have a great Week!

Mark