Art :: Are we really creating, or discovering?

Peru, 2007. Brian Tropiano

The more I think about photography, or any art :: even living life :: the more convinced I am that art is the joy of discovery. I am less inclined to believe I am creating anything as a photographer or person.

We may be tempted to think it is just a matter of semantics -- discovering something rather than creating it -- but I think it's more significant than that. No one really "creates" anything, we only produce things through curiosity and discovery. Matter is neither created nor destroyed... anymore. Genesis 1:1.

I find the pride and competition in trying to "create" something to be very isolating. Instead, a genuine curiosity becomes the greatest gift of any maturing art or artist.

How could this apply to us as business people, or creative professionals, or teachers, or students, or friends?

Flying

2008, Guatemala. Brian Tropiano, for International Justice Mission

Education

2007, Peru. Brian Tropiano

Children are beautiful, and education is important.

La Casa | My first time with the XPAN

I shot two rolls of film at La Casa a couple weekends back with a friend's 35 mm Hassleblad XPAN. It was a real treat. It was the first time I had shot film since 2007, my first and only photography course in school.

The intentionality behind a film camera is so wonderful. Carefully composing and waiting patiently for the right moment -- I can find myself a lot more impatient behind my 5D.

Anyways, these are a few frames from the Color & BW rolls I shot. Don't you dig the panoramic negatives?