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The Inspired Eye, Vol.I
December 2nd, 2009
This is the latest. I’m not even going to try explaining yet another book. What can I say, I got distracted, starting playing with a concept, I accidentally ended up with another book when I had no intention of doing so until January. Move along. Nothing to see here.
The Inspired Eye, Vol.I, Notes on Creativity for Photographers is the first in a two volume set about the creative process, and it’s not like the last four. For starters, with the exception of the cover, all the images are black and white, and presented much smaller. It’s a much different look. For another, there isn’t a lick of how-to in this book. Not even a creative exercise posing as a how-to. It’s discussion about the creative process, quotes from creative luminaries like Picasso and Frank Lloyd Wright, and a handful of my images.
Why this book? An excerpt:
Because for the creative photographer, our making of photographs is an outward expression of something inward. If my previous writings insist that the question How ought to be preceded by the question Why, then this book assumes that the discussion of photography as an outward expression ought to be preceded by – or at least accompanied by – a discussion about the inner life from which that outward expression springs.
Another reason is a more experiential one. For the past three years my blog, The Pixelated Image, has become a gathering place for people who seem weary of all this geeking-out over technology and technique without ever considering concepts like vision. Time and again people have emailed me telling me how much they resonate with something I’ve said about vision or my own journey as a photographer wrestling to find and express that vision. I’ve been on workshops in the Himalayas and listened to capable photographers tell me about their feelings of frustration and inadequacy as though it were a shameful secret.
It’s time we talked about it openly. It’s time we took a look at issues we all wrestle with – from understanding creativity and inspiration, to hearing – finally – that other photographers struggle to find and express their vision, and in that commonality find a little relief. Because if it’s normal to feel this way and to find it hard to uncover our inspiration or feel good about our efforts to express it, then we can stop wondering what’s wrong with ourselves and get on with the task at hand – the difficult, painful, beautiful, eye-opening process of seeing and photographing the world from our perspective.
It’s 28 pages, still a downloadable PDF, and still only $5
*Use coupon code INSPIRED20 to get The Inspired Eye for $4 until the end of Dec.12/2009. It works for any combination of the ebooks, so buy one or buy five, it’s all 20% off. The easiest way to do that is HERE on the Craft&Vision website.
David, thanks for “The inspired eye”. Having read a mere quarter of it, I already found quite a number of thoughts that resonate very well with me, emphasize my own subconcious feelings and I gladly take them as an impulse to realize what I already felt.
And I do smirk every time you mention the 2nd class importance of gear. This was exactly my rut for a much too long period of time. And your Lego analogy is paedagogically well chosen: Doing, not waiting is the challenge and the only way to results. Thanks for this book.
David – Thanks, yet again, for putting words around the wrestlings that we all seem to be having. My only question is when and where is the “Craft and Vision” workshop/seminar and how do we convince you to have it?
To paraphrase: “Photography is not the process we engage in once we have found a great image; it is the very process we use to find it.”
Good grief, man, where do you find the energy to be such a writing fiend? Thank you, of course. I can’t wait to read this one, too! Your snippet from the book explains precisely why I’ve become so enamored with this blog.
Thank you David for continuing to share your knowledge and insight with us. What a great surprise to see a new book this morning, can’t wait to read it later on today.
…too busy reading “the Inspired Eye” to comment.
Love the cover. Thanks for the discount.
I tried buying your three latest pdf books today but none of my cards ( 4 different cards/ 2 different banks) seem to work on your paypal checkout. As i already have both of the 10 books I was really looking forward to the new ones…..
Any other link or place I can try?
Regards
Mats
Ok, I’m pretending that I like Starbuck’s and I’m making myself pass up a Caramel Macchiato (?) so that I can buy another e-book. Works for me! I will again state that your words, images, and views have helped pull me out of the creative/business doldrums. Thanks!!!
David, you are a machine! You are the only one I know that can accidentally write a book. I look forward to the read.
Now that’s what I’m talking about.
Thank you, once again, RCG – as Chris said, you are a machine, a inspirational educational motivational machine on the highway of life.
Sorry, wayyy too much coffee today – but seriously, good book!
this made my day…strike that….december! thanks david.
This book is no “accident.” It is “preparation meets opportunity.” One of the things I love about David’s writing/teaching is that he gets to the heart of a matter without belaboring a point. If you are looking to foster creativity, “the Inspired eye” is an incredible resource (and a great value). It will have you thinking about creativity in new ways plus save you money and countless time reading multiple other books.
When’s Vol. 2? …I need more input.
“a gathering place for people who seem weary of all this geeking-out over technology and technique without ever considering concepts like vision” true, though put simply: angst ridden photographers struggling to find their creative vision like a teenager fumbling to achieve their first kiss.
Throw some vampires in these books and you’ve got yourself a franchise. I’ll be first in line too.
This costs about as much as a cup of coffee but it’s much more fulfilling. Thank you
You are a really good writer, I just love your e-books, tx a lot!
What timing David. I really needed to read this. For me, it is like opening the window, to breath the fresh air. Thanks for making this available.
Thank you David for another inspiring e-book and the coupon
– I am truly enjoying learning from you.
I like what you said in your excerpt “eye-opening process of seeing and photographing the world from our perspective”…Sometimes people don’t see what I see in my photography, but I am starting to be okay with it
@David: You know we just can’t resist
I’ve just purchased it, mostly to save the 1$, as i haven’t finished your other books yet 
Just bought the book! Can’t wait to read it. I am so happy I found your blog!
Busy night tonight,changing all my forum signatures to ‘Gear is good, Davids’ books and e-books are better’
I’m reading Within The Frame 3 pages a night, sitting back and absorbing.
Visionmongers is sat on the bookshelf as yet untouched and I’m around 3 e-books behind.
Dang, David, you can write faster than I can read!!!!
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