I Married a Photographer

Struggling through personal battles as well as running a business has its challenges.  A few months back, Dean was very vocal about not picking up his camera again.  When faced with these tough times, what is the best solution?  On this topic everyone is so very different.  The best choice for me, is not the same for everyone.

So once we started on our most recent project (which will be debuting on February 12th) we really did our best to find new models, branch out  creatively, and apply technique and skill to all of our planned/posed shots.  About a year ago, Dean and I talked about our approach to photography, he mentioned that it is very difficult for him to feel satisfied taking shots of things that he ‘finds’.  I completely agreed, there is no originality in finding things even when you do photograph them.  It’s not really yours, anybody could have done that. True, but to play Devil’s advocate, not every person has the same perspective. A plain photograph taken of a forest could remain plain or with the knowledge of certain techniques and different lenses it has a better chance of becoming a unique and beautiful snowflake.

With all that said, I have a great feeling about this next collection of 4 photos.  It’s not many but they all make a clear and great statement.  I spent hours working on props and wardrobes, calling people to find new models or people who knew people who were willing to help, etc.  It was sheer chance that we  ended up with the models we did!  They all worked out beautifully!  Writing this, I have a huge grin on my face just imagining people’s reactions to our art.  As Dean said a couple weeks ago, “If I’m not going to be famous for my art then I’ll be infamous.”  He’s hit a sweet-spot!

Teaser

Event Information: February 12, 2010 marks the First Annual Dress Red Luncheon hosted by ACTION Health’s, Aging and Wellness taskforce at the Pine Barn Inn starting at 11am. Dr Robert Davis, Cardiologist at Bloomsburg Hospital will be the Keynote speaker. “Our aim is to set aside this day when people can come together where the prevailing message is that heart disease is a profoundly different disease between women and men,” says Dr. Larry Schardt, Chairperson of the Dress Red Luncheon. The luncheon will start at 11am with social hour to enjoy the photography of Dean Dorman & Marlin R. Wagner following with welcoming remarks and Keynote presentation. Lunch begins at 12 noon followed by a Red Fashion show and closing remarks. The Red Fashion Show includes a collection of red attire from a variety of local stores. “What better way to promote awareness and celebrate National Heart Health month than by supporting ACTION Health – and enjoying the camaraderie of others at this entertaining, fun event” says Lisa Makara, co-chair of the Dress Red Luncheon. Dressing in red attire encouraged but not required. Tickets for this event are $20.00 in advance and $25.00 at the door. Seating is limited. Men and women are welcome to attend. All proceeds benefit ACTION Health’s Aging and Wellness taskforce. For information or to purchase tickets call ACTION Health @ 570.275.9150. Visit our website: www.actionhealthpa.org
You can call me for tickets.

Lisa M. Makara, MS, CTRS
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Bloomsburg Health System
549 Fair Street
Bloomsburg, PA 17815

570-387-2099 Office phone
570-336-0036 Cell
570-387-2316 Fax

I am proud to announce that DSP has been featured in Bloomsburg University’s Spectrum Magazine! To read the article  click on the link : Die Strafbar Photography

Thank you to all who support your local arts!

A few months back, DSP decided to take an extended break.  Our year was full of new events and projects.   Creating a business model and a name for our ourselves was our top priority.  We succeeded and looked forward to having time to devote to the creativity and art in our photography rather than have to hit the pavement to increase sales.  Unfortunately, we knew that between our personal lives, careers and our business we quickly lost steam.  Dean had a difficult time producing artistic, meaningful shots with little muse, I found that I just had no energy to blog or manage the business, like I had been.  If we were teachers it would have been an indefinite sabbatical leave.  Neither of us talked about any creative projects on the horizon or what we want to make the next statement about.  We spent time just being artistically unproductive people, frustrated and down trodden. We were ready to let go.

Many, many discussions later Dean and I had decided that maybe we should just not produce art anymore, we should resign to the idea that it isn’t working and sever the bond.  In a number of ways this idea sent a sharp pain through my soul, I felt that if we end the idea of this photography business then what other outlet could we have?  On the other hand, I am a supporter and aid to the creativity and I know that it cannot be forced.  I acquiesced to the idea of our lives without Dean’s photography and hoped that something would strike his fancy.

Luckily, after about 3 months of Dean not even wanting to pick up his camera, he was approached about a new project.  Over the past year, he has made a number of great connections who have been loyal and very supportive. This one in particular has given back to him the artistic breath of life.  Lisa has loved Dean’s photos since first glance, she’s asked for some prints for her office and has done her best to help us to ‘get noticed’ in the community.  When she asked Dean, she allowed him to have freedom over his art and gave a very broad theme.  As he told me the good news, I could hardly contain my excitement!  This was exactly what we needed – a limited venue, broad theme and the opportunity for us to break through the cobwebs that had taken over our  left-brained neurons.  Within 2-3 days Dean and I collaborated with some friends about our topic and what route we’d like to take this project.  We have solid ideas for the shots now we’re looking for props and models.

It was so incredibly wonderful  to hear Dean talk about photography again (in a creative fashion).  We’ll keep you posted on our progress with this new project (I CAN’T WAIT!!!) and what exactly we may need from our fans!

Abject and Flake are the two photos Dean completed today, have a look!

Clever Title

Using this topic to  approach art, more specifically DSP  and how we want our viewer to approach looking at our pieces.  Without hitting them over the head with a statement, we like to see them come up with the story.  How did that get there? Why?  I see Dean’s pride every time someone strongly reacts to a piece.

So Much the Children Play

One instance, a couple walked up to our stand in August, looked at “So Much the Children Play” the man chuckled while pointing it out to the woman who audibly gasped, grabbed her chest then gestured waving her hand, as if to say I’m done here! while turning her face away.  The husband looked at us and said, “She’s terrified of dolls. They really creep her out.”    Later that day Dean and I talked about all the viewers reactions, understandably so he was most proud of that one.

It is nice to get feedback from people but even better to see their initial reaction.  I love that our work isn’t spelled out for whoever may view it.  More like a puzzle piece less like a squeaky clean novel -where everything is neatly tied up at the end.  No one is left guessing.  We enjoy the guessing!