Comments on: Opinions Are Not Facts

By: Julia

Julia — Tue, 13 May 2014 11:52:31 +0000

I legitimately just went searching through your blog for a post like this – I knew you must have one, and I really needed it! You are such an inspiration through not only your work but your whole persona: you are so encouraging and inspiring Brooke.

I study commercial photography, but a part of my final year folio includes a lot of non-commercial style work which I aim to capture suggestive stories (nothing specific, just the idea that a person can look at the image and come up with a concept or idea of what might be happening in the image).
Today my teacher told me she didn’t like any of my work, with only negative things to say about my images – and the one positive thing she did say about an image was only in reference to the lighting/time of day, and not the image itself.
So I came searching here for a pick-me-up and you’ve helped me remember that I am shooting for me, what I love, and not for my lecturer.

By: Stephanie Necessary

Stephanie Necessary — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 22:34:22 +0000

Thank YOU!!! You’ve been an inspiration to me from day one.
Even though I know I’ve grown and learned new things – and have improved…the ole enemy, Self Doubt still rears its ugly head. I am too worried about what others will think – and I take their criticism too seriously.

I. needed. to. hear. this. It’s funny that it should seem obvious that an opinion is not fact, but I had to read it in black and white to actually get it.

Here’s one of my newest pieces: The Phoenix. The idea for it was born while watching your Creative Live show. The brainstorming really helped me. I ended up circling rebirth, red, and fire on my paper and this is what came of it.

https://www.facebook.com/Necessaryphotography/photos/a.172570019445638.28291.169411743094799/639892639380038/?type=1&theater

You really are making a difference.

By: Tara

Tara — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 00:28:35 +0000

right now I am loving exploring my own past and experience with childhood sexual abuse. seems crazy to say it, but it is really helping not only myself by creating it but i hope it helps others as well. there are so many stories people have emailed me about how my speaking out and my photography has encouraged them to do the same and it touches my heart to be able to even help one person heal or even feel they arent alone in this journey as a survivor. so currently that is what im working on and yes ive had some say horrible things to me, mostly about using my daughter as the model for the iamges, BUT i stand behind what i create and why i create it. my blog has a few of the images in the series on it, but some i have kept to myself, they can be found at http://www.inspirationjourney.org and also a very detailed ‘why i do it’ in my about the artist page 🙂 thank you for always encouraging me to keep my head high and create brooke!

By: Lu

Lu — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 22:32:15 +0000

Oh my… sometimes I feel you can read my feelings! So many times I find myself stuck because of judgement. Specially from my family when I do nude self portraits…I am from a traditional south american family so yes…quite traditional. This series in particular http://lulight.com/2013/06/18/humannature/ made my parents so uncomfortable they didn’t want me to exhibit them in my home town! What I love about this kind of work is how free it makes me feel, and how connected to something bigger. Have you ever had that feeling from your relatives? as you use nude too, I was wondering…

By: Rocio

Rocio — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 17:56:56 +0000

In reply to Rocio Martinez. Thank you!

By: Angela

Angela — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 16:23:09 +0000

Brooke, Hi. I found what you said resonated so much with me. I love to create abstract work, but always find myself thinking others won’t like or understand it. So I try to think about what other people might like instead.

Thank you for sharing your encouragement. Your confidence is inspiring.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 12:48:51 +0000

Dear Brooke,

Your words are so inspiring and so true! I already listened to what you said about this during your Creative Live courses and it made me so happy. Often I create something and then I love it but not always others do and I get discouraged. Sometimes they are right in not liking it because they are flaws that I missed and I can change it. But often it seems like the images I like the most and that mean the most to me, do not get the same kind of recognition than others that mean much less to me. I am slowly learning to follow my instinct and not get discouraged so easily.

What I love doing the most is creating meaningful images, images with a story behind them, with a character. I love great natural locations and shooting in them, I love creating darker, moodier images that are generally rather desaturated – they appeal to me more. And when I look at a lot of the images I created last year, I seem to like images where people have their eyes closed 😉 But I never realised that until I saw them all together.

My current favourite photo is this one (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pucki/12285427244/). I recently got back into self portraiture (for a 52 weeks project) and I love compositing images for it.

By: natascha van niekerk

natascha van niekerk — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 11:25:03 +0000

I love telling stories with my images, creating a visual that in a way embodies a certain emotion or concept. These images are my outlet, a way I express myself and communicate with the world.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=788141947877948&set=a.356700107688803.106411.345227872169360&type=1&theater

Thank you Brooke for all the beauty and encouragement you bring into the world!

By: Annamaria

Annamaria — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 09:13:55 +0000

I love to go back to the basis. Reduce everything to the minimum, reduce it so much there is nothing more to add. I created a series using my basic tools, one single wall, natural light, one lens and myself. The images are driven by my subconscious longings and desires, re-arranging the body. There is a story behind each of them, always literally incorporating my lost twin sister.

http://www.annamariakowalsky.com/anatomy-of-a-lunatic

You make the world a better world, you give hope, I can just always repeat myself and just thank you for all the positive energy and inspiration you spread.

By: RaphaelleM.

RaphaelleM. — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 09:07:55 +0000

Last year, I was creating on projects with other people, and sometimes, I was not sure about the goal of my creations after doing them.
Then I had a big reflexion, and it appears to me that I have to create for myself at all, not for others who look on my photos… I have to be in line with me, my inspiration and my faith.

So I create a photo which talks about this revelation for me : I’ve awoken the spirits of my own story, I’ve discoved myself after reading inside of me, and discoved why I want to create, why it’s important to me and why I need it to survive

http://www.flickr.com/photos/raphaellem/11780589476/

Brooke, thanks for your amazing work, for your words so inspiring… I wish I could be as in line with my work as you
Thanks for all.

Raphaelle
https://www.facebook.com/RaphaelleM.creations