Beautiful example of convergence. Your unique interests and skillset that apply in one realm don’t generally align with the other. Overlapping those passions has created a unique application of creativity which shows in your writing and photography. Beyond impressive mindset in response to your recent adversity too brother. Best of luck and hope you discovery some more opportunities during this setback 👊🏻
Suffering and good art is definitely a thing. Some of our favourite music was written and sung by artists going through dark times. Then they make the big bucks, their lives start improving, and the passion goes out of their work when they aren’t hurting so bad anymore.
But what you are talking about is intentional suffering by doing hard things on purpose. That’s a different art form than traditional. Most writers, musicians and painters never put their bodies through the paces you describe to get to a summit or find that inspiration. They fall into it in the middle of a city, almost by accident.
Great point Tim. There are layers here. I alluded to the general suffering of artists, and I feel that as well, but you are right that I am mainly talking about the physical challenge in this piece. They are still related though, don't you think?
Also, I never really considered this as intentional suffering before. That is interesting and I'll have to think about that more. Until now I just thought of it as the price of admission to this show.
A great article Erik. I admire all the challenges you have overcome on your adventures and have enjoyed seeing all your images. I do think many of us make our best work when we are challenged, but for me these challenges don't need to be physical. I love thinking up new ways to tell stories about landscapes and I think I enjoy the mental challenge more than the physical. Maybe this has evolved with age but I do like to be challenged and I always make better work when I am.
I can see this so clearly in your photography and in your writing, Gill. You are always seeking new perspectives, new insights, and different ways to creatively express. I think these mental challenges we set for ourselves are even tougher than the physical!
Eric, This is a fascinating read. I am again awed and impressed by your life and work. And I am sorry to read of your recent change in circumstance. It's one I can relate to. I found myself in my close surroundings more often than not and found so much to appreciate there. May you as well. P.S. I love the photo with the moss on the rocks.
Funny story about that mossy rock photo. I think it turned out really well, but one thing eternally bugs me about it. Its that stick on the rock in the foreground. I could have so easily pulled it out and then I'd think the photo was perfect, but I didn't even notice it until I got home and processed the photo! Oh well, perfectly imperfect I guess!
And, don't worry about me Pamela! Things are in motion that will get me back to baseline. Anyway, I think this limitation regarding my truck has been a powerful lesson. Thank you for your comments, they are incredibly valuable!
Erik, I quite like the stick on the rock in the foreground. I honestly didn’t notice it, I noticed the lush green moss and in looking at it again, I think the stick has purpose in the composition, as there are other sticks on both sides of the image and if you start with the one in the foreground there is a visual pattern that draws the eye through the image.
I am glad things are in motion for you to have wheels again soon. That is never a good thing being without our primary transportation.
I remind myself often of the idea that “samsara is nirvana” — which is the (roughly translated) idea that the suffering on the way to enlightenment is the actual enlightenment.
Whether it’s true or not, I find it oddly comforting and inspiring. Great essay.
I think creative also needs to be realized. Most of my life I didn’t consider myself as being creative until one day while building a canoe. Looking back it seems ridiculous but it was a lightbulb moment, realizing that “hmm… hey, I think I’m creative.” Afterwards, I have been able to embrace it and include creativity (building, video creation, and writing) into my life. What I’ve found is that by including creativity into what I do, I’m able to look more closely at the beautiful things that I involve myself in.
Erik, I am right there with you - physical challenges are integral to my photography practice. Cramps and a little blood are a good morning out! But I am also aware that I need to make images that are impactful separate from the experience of making them. For example, I might aim for a feeling of remoteness or wildness rather than the of the pain and isolation I was feeling at the time. The journey continues......
Impactful separate from the experience!!- Holy shit, James! I knew you would understand where I was coming from, but this puts a whole new perspective on what I was driving at. Thank you!
I loved reading the snippets (of suffering!) that accompanied some of your prettiest photos. It was awesome to read the stories behind them! I know it's the popular consensus but I'm not sure I can equate my art with physicality or suffering. I don't take many photos while hiking. When I write, I need to be clear-headed; trying to write while agitated usually doesn't work! I can definitely equate personal satisfaction and suffering, though, in the sense that a goal feels sweeter (like climbing a tough summit) if there was more difficulty involved.
Yes, the part about personal satisfaction in pushing through the suffering is right on point! And I'm not suggesting that the way I view physicality and art is how everyone should view it, or even a good way of going about it! Its just what works for me. 🤷♀️ I absolutely see the value of a calm space without distraction for writing.
I'm glad it works for you!! Sometimes I WISH my art and creativity could come about while I was suffering...it would at least be more productive than me wallowing in a sea of "poor meeeee...!"
Well, I don't think they necessarily have to exist at the same time. The way I'm thinking of it, it is more like each being dependent on the other. For example, I love my mountaintop photos because of how hard it was to get there. They would be missing something if I had just driven to a parking lot at the top. But, either way I'm not photographing during the mountain climb.
I see that in your eloquent writing. The difficulty of your AT experience has driven you to write a 2 year long trail log series about it and now a book. All of that wouldn't have come about without that struggle. And now you are doing more of these trips and will write about those, as well. It becomes synergistic!
Ah. Yes that's very true. I wasn't even thinking about the AT haha. Probably because it took a while to find joy in some of the suffering, especially in regards to writing about it (took another year to begin the Trail Logs!). I love that perspective in hindsight: you love your mountain photos AFTER the fact, BECAUSE of how hard it was to get them. But you were still struggling to get to the top, camera not in hand!
Beautiful example of convergence. Your unique interests and skillset that apply in one realm don’t generally align with the other. Overlapping those passions has created a unique application of creativity which shows in your writing and photography. Beyond impressive mindset in response to your recent adversity too brother. Best of luck and hope you discovery some more opportunities during this setback 👊🏻
Thanks brother! I'm grateful to have this new path to follow and I'm already working towards it!
Suffering and good art is definitely a thing. Some of our favourite music was written and sung by artists going through dark times. Then they make the big bucks, their lives start improving, and the passion goes out of their work when they aren’t hurting so bad anymore.
But what you are talking about is intentional suffering by doing hard things on purpose. That’s a different art form than traditional. Most writers, musicians and painters never put their bodies through the paces you describe to get to a summit or find that inspiration. They fall into it in the middle of a city, almost by accident.
Great point Tim. There are layers here. I alluded to the general suffering of artists, and I feel that as well, but you are right that I am mainly talking about the physical challenge in this piece. They are still related though, don't you think?
Also, I never really considered this as intentional suffering before. That is interesting and I'll have to think about that more. Until now I just thought of it as the price of admission to this show.
Your work is definitely intentional. The planning in getting there, placement of cameras for shots, finding the right places to visit.
A great article Erik. I admire all the challenges you have overcome on your adventures and have enjoyed seeing all your images. I do think many of us make our best work when we are challenged, but for me these challenges don't need to be physical. I love thinking up new ways to tell stories about landscapes and I think I enjoy the mental challenge more than the physical. Maybe this has evolved with age but I do like to be challenged and I always make better work when I am.
I can see this so clearly in your photography and in your writing, Gill. You are always seeking new perspectives, new insights, and different ways to creatively express. I think these mental challenges we set for ourselves are even tougher than the physical!
Eric, This is a fascinating read. I am again awed and impressed by your life and work. And I am sorry to read of your recent change in circumstance. It's one I can relate to. I found myself in my close surroundings more often than not and found so much to appreciate there. May you as well. P.S. I love the photo with the moss on the rocks.
Funny story about that mossy rock photo. I think it turned out really well, but one thing eternally bugs me about it. Its that stick on the rock in the foreground. I could have so easily pulled it out and then I'd think the photo was perfect, but I didn't even notice it until I got home and processed the photo! Oh well, perfectly imperfect I guess!
And, don't worry about me Pamela! Things are in motion that will get me back to baseline. Anyway, I think this limitation regarding my truck has been a powerful lesson. Thank you for your comments, they are incredibly valuable!
Erik, I quite like the stick on the rock in the foreground. I honestly didn’t notice it, I noticed the lush green moss and in looking at it again, I think the stick has purpose in the composition, as there are other sticks on both sides of the image and if you start with the one in the foreground there is a visual pattern that draws the eye through the image.
I am glad things are in motion for you to have wheels again soon. That is never a good thing being without our primary transportation.
That's excellent Pamela, I definitely see that in the photo! Thank you!
I am glad I went back and looked at it again. The composition is stunning.
Yes,I agree Erik
I remind myself often of the idea that “samsara is nirvana” — which is the (roughly translated) idea that the suffering on the way to enlightenment is the actual enlightenment.
Whether it’s true or not, I find it oddly comforting and inspiring. Great essay.
Yeah, that is a profound point of view. Thanks Lou!
Such a beautiful series of photos. Thanks for sharing them with us.
Thank you Randy!
I think creative also needs to be realized. Most of my life I didn’t consider myself as being creative until one day while building a canoe. Looking back it seems ridiculous but it was a lightbulb moment, realizing that “hmm… hey, I think I’m creative.” Afterwards, I have been able to embrace it and include creativity (building, video creation, and writing) into my life. What I’ve found is that by including creativity into what I do, I’m able to look more closely at the beautiful things that I involve myself in.
Erik, I am right there with you - physical challenges are integral to my photography practice. Cramps and a little blood are a good morning out! But I am also aware that I need to make images that are impactful separate from the experience of making them. For example, I might aim for a feeling of remoteness or wildness rather than the of the pain and isolation I was feeling at the time. The journey continues......
Impactful separate from the experience!!- Holy shit, James! I knew you would understand where I was coming from, but this puts a whole new perspective on what I was driving at. Thank you!
I loved reading the snippets (of suffering!) that accompanied some of your prettiest photos. It was awesome to read the stories behind them! I know it's the popular consensus but I'm not sure I can equate my art with physicality or suffering. I don't take many photos while hiking. When I write, I need to be clear-headed; trying to write while agitated usually doesn't work! I can definitely equate personal satisfaction and suffering, though, in the sense that a goal feels sweeter (like climbing a tough summit) if there was more difficulty involved.
Yes, the part about personal satisfaction in pushing through the suffering is right on point! And I'm not suggesting that the way I view physicality and art is how everyone should view it, or even a good way of going about it! Its just what works for me. 🤷♀️ I absolutely see the value of a calm space without distraction for writing.
I'm glad it works for you!! Sometimes I WISH my art and creativity could come about while I was suffering...it would at least be more productive than me wallowing in a sea of "poor meeeee...!"
Well, I don't think they necessarily have to exist at the same time. The way I'm thinking of it, it is more like each being dependent on the other. For example, I love my mountaintop photos because of how hard it was to get there. They would be missing something if I had just driven to a parking lot at the top. But, either way I'm not photographing during the mountain climb.
I see that in your eloquent writing. The difficulty of your AT experience has driven you to write a 2 year long trail log series about it and now a book. All of that wouldn't have come about without that struggle. And now you are doing more of these trips and will write about those, as well. It becomes synergistic!
Ah. Yes that's very true. I wasn't even thinking about the AT haha. Probably because it took a while to find joy in some of the suffering, especially in regards to writing about it (took another year to begin the Trail Logs!). I love that perspective in hindsight: you love your mountain photos AFTER the fact, BECAUSE of how hard it was to get them. But you were still struggling to get to the top, camera not in hand!
Yeah, exactly!