It’s been a busy month and perusing the series of images I have created in the last fifteen years, that seems to be the case for many a June! No surprise is a wonderful month for photography. From Alaskan Arctic to the Australian Outback, take a visual journey around the globe in June!
If you’ve subscribed to become a view of the first season of Pathways to Creativity, good news – Episode 5 is up today! Though much of my instruction is designed to train your artistic eye and hone your vision into that of an accomplished visual storyteller, this episode talks a little hardware. I discuss the lenses I use most often, which ones I might consider leaving at home on a long trip, the circumstances that influence my choices – and much more! It’s a longer episode, but packed with decades worth of professional experience.
I’m back in Seattle today where I’ll be starting my 14-day quarantine – safety first!
Due to connectivity issues and concerns we decided to record this episode of tequila time first and then share, to ensure I at least had some new content for you. I’m on the road travelling for the first time in a while – down in Mexico hoping to swim with some big crocs! Enjoy and I’ll see you next week!
It’s taken some time to look back over my career and select the best photos to illustrate the many lessons included in Pathways, and the feedback I’ve received so far from those who have subscribed has been incredibly gratifying.
If you’re on the fence about the series, here are a couple questions that have come up:
Q: Is there any kind of free trial for Pathways to Creativity, so I can get the gist of what it is all about before I buy?
A: Absolutely! Below and on the Pathways website you’ll find a free nearly 16-minute long preview that includes a few segments from the first 3 episodes.
Q: If I purchase a single episode, but decide I’d like to upgrade to the entire series, is that possible?
A: Of course! If you’ve purchased a single episode and decide you’d like to purchase the complete series, simply email us at info@artwolfe.com, or email vimeo through the help menu on the right side of my On Demand page and provide the name and email address of the original purchaser. We can provide you with a code to apply to the series for any previous episodes you have purchased, not to exceed the cost of the full series price.
Q: Season 1 implies a Season 2; is there a release date for the second season yet?
A: While there is no release date set in stone for S2 of Pathways, I already have the chapters laid out and ready to go, with a bit more finessing – rest assured S2 is all but a certainty in the very near future!
One of the last trips I was able to take before travel restrictions tightened up globally was an Antarctica expedition with my good friend Kevin Raber and 28 participants above the Magellan Explorer.
If you have some time, you should definitely check out Kevin’s story on photopxl.com. It’s complete with photos and beautiful video captured on the expedition with interviews and plenty of fun!
In case you missed last night’s episode of Tequila Time, you can watch it here! In this episode I discussed times in my career in which I may have done something a little risky, or my understanding of the dangers involved may have been overruled by my need to get that perfect shot. Learn from my mistakes! And just a Public Service Announcement in case you simply can’t find the time to watch the video – stay away from sloth bears!
If you’ve missed any past episodes and want to get caught up, you can find links to all the videos on my multimedia page. Catch every story, every moment, and every Tequila-induced “TMI” moment!
Also, stay tuned to my social channels regarding next week’s episode of Tequila Time – I’ll finally be travelling (and taking all the proper precautions!). That may mean adjusting the Tequila Time format and timing a bit to accommodate when I might have a strong enough connection to broadcast.
Thanks to all who continue to join our weekly chats!
Back in 1975, I graduated from the University of Washington with Bachelor’s in Fine Arts and Art Education – and this is the foundation I’ve built my career upon, traveling the world and capturing images utilizing the tenets of my traditional art background. Teaching has always been a passion of mine, and Pathways is the cultivation of 45 years of these pursuits.
The feedback I’ve gotten for the first two episodes of Pathways has been wholly positive and I can’t thank you enough for checking it out. I love sharing what I do, and to be able to combine that with the affinity I have for teaching is the perfect way to share it.
If you’re looking to be inspired to take your photography to the next level and consciously create beautiful shots that artistically emphasize your subject to it’s fullest extent – look no further!
Friends – follow @EarthIsOurWitness on Instagram! Be a part of an exciting new channel dedicated to embracing the awesome power that photography can have in connecting cultures and inspiring positive change. With a diverse complement of photographers participating in EIOW, you won’t want so miss an update or live stream!
What is EARTH IS OUR WITNESS?
Simply put, EIOW is a collaborative showcase project featuring several reputable photographers, yours truly included! Our goal in creating this showcase is to embrace the influential power that a photograph can have in appealing to the compassion of humanity. A single compelling photo can inspire lasting positive change.
In recent weeks, I’ve been repeating the mantra that people around this beautiful blue orb are not all that different. Photography is the ultimate universal language – and through this collaboration of shared collections, poignant images, and candid conversations with prolific photographers around the world we will illustrate how it connects us all.
Last night, Host Parimal Deshpande and myself previewed EIOW, and we had our first interview with Australia’s Darren Jew who’s specialty is under water photography – you can catch both videos on the EIOW Instagram TV Page. I’m thrilled about what lies ahead – I hope you are as well!
We just wrapped up this week’s Tequila Time, and there were so many comments about wanting to see the images that I wanted to get them up ASAP!
Don’t forget to also follow @EarthIsOurWitness on Instagram and join us again tonight at 7 PM PST for an interview with Australian photographer Darren Jew who specializes in underwater photography, but as discussed on our EIOW preview earlier today, does, in fact, breath oxygene!
Lastly, just a reminder that Pathways to Creativitylaunched last week. It was a quiet launch because of more important things happening in the world, but for those who have checked it out, the feedback has been fantastic.
Pathways to Creativity has arrived! Actually, the first episode arrived last week – which was simply not the right time to post about it. However, we did have a robust pre-registration list and several anticipatory inquiries, so it’s time to get the word out!
“Art, what the heck is Pathways to Creativity?”
I’m glad you asked! I’ve poured over nearly five decades worth of images to bring together a collection that illustrates my various points of view as a life-long artist, photographer, teacher, and traveler. Through the first 12-episode season, I’ll cover topics like composition, using various qualities and sources of light, and challenging conventions. Along with thousands of visual examples, I’ll also provide context to hundreds of images with commentary about the circumstances of their capture, a bit of culture, and more.
“Neat! But what IS it? A book? A video? A workshop?”
Pathways is an online streaming lecture divided into 12 roughly 1-hour long episodes that can be streamed on demand ’til your heart’s content from my Vimeo channel onto your smart phone, laptop, tablet – you get the idea! Episodes can be purchased individually, or as a complete package for a discounted price. Complete package purchasers will also receive a bonus 13th episode! Episodes are released weekly every Tuesday, beginning June 2nd, 2020.
“Got it! So – who will get the most use out of Pathways?”
The beautiful thing about the lessons I’ve constructed is that the information here is evergreen, and it’s cliche to say – but there truly is something here for everyone! From the hard-core travel photographer to the smartphone user, from the fine-art painter to the nature enthusiast who just wants to see images of wildlife and culture and hear my stories and the thought process of my work – it’s ALL here.
“Do I need to be an expert with my camera to get the most out of Pathways? How do I know if it’s for me?”
The vast majority of what I have to say in Pathways has much more to do with training your eye to see than it does training you to use a camera. Although some episodes deal with things like shutter speeds and depth of field, these are simply tools to meet that end.
To find out what Pathways is all about, check out the free 15-minute long preview below, with excerpts from the first 3 seasons of Pathways to Creativity. Enjoy!
Welcome to an ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) Friday!
Continuing our Thursday tradition for over two months (!) now, I sat down with Parimal Deshpande and our live viewing audience on Instagram and Facebook last evening. This time, however, we left the cocktails unpoured to keep clear heads and talk about a very important issue – and that is, simply put, that we as humans – not just by and large, but overwhelmingly so, in my experiences – all have the same dreams and desires.
It isn’t hyperbole to say that I have traveled more than anyone else I know, and while this simple fact means nothing in and of itself, the very goal of my travels abroad are often to scrutinize the local cultures both to focus my lens on the moments and subjects that capture their lifestyle, but to also ensure that I’m staying within my bounds as a guest.
In case you missed the video you can check it out on my Instagram TV page. I’m including a gallery here of some of the images I discuss.
Also, on one final note – many of you have preregistered for my new streaming lecture series, Pathways to Creativity, of which I mentioned the first episode and full series subscription would be available for purchase this week. I just want you to know that yes, Pathways is up and I look forward to talking about it more in the weeks to come. However, given recent events and the news of the week I simply didn’t feel right making a big marketing push when there are so many other important things happening on social media. However, it is up and available and I am excited to share it!
It’s Tuesday – that means a new episode of 
