For the next couple weeks, I will be writing about the adventures that took place last month. A two week road trip exploring seven states, nine national parks, two state parks, a few major cities, and all of the experiences along the way. With an unexpected heart-warming response from feedback I have received on social media, I cannot wait to share this with all of you. Thank you for your support, and pushing me to do what I love to do.
-Demetrios
For a lot of creatives out there, including myself, we have to produce day-in, and day-out so we can gain some traction in this digital world - Hoping our work can be seen by the right person, but what happens when you hit the “creative wall?” If you’re reading this, you know exactly what I’m talking about, and it happens quite frequently, even for the most experienced. When that arises we often have questions such as: Do I like this, who would like this, and what can I do better from my own critique/criticism from others? In the art world, no matter if it’s journalism, painting, music, or photography, you have to hear the good, and bad. It’s a huge learning curve when someone doesn’t like your work, or you don’t see as many likes on a particular post compared to the other. One way to grow is listen to your audience, ask questions, and don’t be stubborn. An ego can’t make you creative; creativity comes from within, without barriers, and smugness. Have an open mind, and you will succeed.
With this in mind, what can you do to make your next piece interesting, awesome, and most importantly, memorable? First and foremost, do your research. Look at the competition in your similar style, and see what they’re doing, but do not plagiarize their work. That defeats the purpose for you to grow. To step it up to the next level, think beyond the box, and add your personal touch to make your work stand out. Similar editing styles do exists, but there are so many ways that can stretch your imagination. For example, everyone can take a simple landscape photograph, but making it creative with new perspectives from angles, adding layers with other photographs you’ve taken, or from stock images that is legally allowed for you to use from sites like pexel.com can dramatically improve the shot, making it original, and something you can be proud of.
Also, I cannot stress this enough, the most important aspect of photography is a story. We are engaged by reading stories told by our friends, historians, and those whom inspire us to find aspiration. It is the driving force to portray your work in a new light, and help guide you to success. Start by telling the world what it took to take this photograph, where and why did you travel to this location, and what experience(s) did you have seconds before you snapped that shutter? Your story does not have to be a novel, but a few sentences can explain your work, and people will follow, because they simply enjoyed it, and can’t wait to read more that comes in the future. It also helps you to stay creative, not just from your photography, but with your words. People can feel a lot, and tell a lot about someone how they portray a story.
Lastly, setting the mood. This is not only for date nights. Your workspace has to be an area where you can get in the zone, and shut of the outside world. Setting the mood is a vital step that should be practiced every time you’re trying to prepare yourself for endless hours in front of the computer, or preparing a blank canvas waiting for the brush sweeping your new palette of colors forward. We all have our on ways to meditate, but dimming the lights, listening to music, lighting a few candles with a glass of wine are great ways to whine down. Pun intended! Most importantly, and suggested by many, put the phone down. Make sure to silence it, or have it in the other room. The fewer distractions, the better. A workspace should be comfortable, and not disruptive. Make your workspace your Zen, be happy, and make it count.
Clingmans Dome at the Great Smoky Mountains elev. 6,643 ft.
Every time I entered this park during my trip, I felt humbled and very spiritual. A place where the Indian Americans of the Cherokee tribe called this place Little Blue Smoke. @greatsmokynps The experience of making the drive all the way to the top was unforgettable. Air thinning, Helga (the rental car) was chugging, but without a doubt, made it. Arriving to the top of the Blue Ridge @blueridgenps you could get a 360 degree view, the fog swooshed in, but I quickly grabbed my camera to take some shots. Before taking the short, but steep hike to the observation deck. Climbing to the top wasn't so hard, but as the elevation rosed, sipping air felt like I had to enjoy a thirty year old fine scotch with a cigar. Alas, it did make it a little harder to catch a breath. One leg in front of the other, the sound was dimmed by the second, as a sign that something was going to happen soon. After reaching the highest point in the smokies at 6,643 ft. (2.02km) and 2nd highest east of the Mississippi River, then was caught in a full fledged storm cloud, making the climb down wearing my trustee blue poncho to the visiter center I needed a deserved break before heading back to Helga.
If you plan on visiting the smokies, take the ride all the way up to experience the drive with an endless amounts of overlooks for photo ops, and moments to reflect and taking it all in so you'll never forget that this land is sacred.
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Description: This is a combination of two images put together inside @photoshop where it automatically merges them together. I wanted y'all to know how huge The Great Smoky Mountains is, because one photo cannot justify this beautiful place, and I'm so dying to go back. ☺️❤️🏔⛺️🌄
Instead of writing a story, I wanted to let you all now that I am very grateful for the following here and the feedback I've received. It has been very rewarding and to hear some of you tell me that I inspired you to shoot! Messages with questions how my thought process is when I write songs, what vision I have when I go in with editing is pretty cool!
Even when those times when I cant produce, I also get inspired by your work and it kicks my butt into gear, so I can get to work. There are a lot of talented people here, and we all have a gift! I honestly don't think my photography is the best, but I keep trying harder to succeed. Thank you for all of your likes and comments and I really, really appreciate you guys! THANK YOU! ❤❤❤