“What I really love is transformative photography…Transformative photography is photography that changes you as a person, that asks questions (instead of answering them). You’re not the same person any longer after you’ve looked at it – and given the nature of this experience, it usually cannot be depleted (even though it might become weaker with time).”

And while Mr. Colberg is not opposed to the “occasional visual tickle,” his answer gives new context to some of his prior blog discussions on photography.

“For example, when I’m talking about how I prefer the message over the medium (and not the other way around), that’s why. There is no transformative power in the medium itself (even though the visual impression created by some photographic processes – think daguerreotypes – can be stunning).”

Think back to every episode when you’ve seen a body of work that completely transformed your own thought process or even style of photography. For me, that was absorbing the work of Sam Abell and Alex Webb for the very first time. Johnathan Newton of the Washington Post showed me Sam Abell at the Mountain Workshops, and Matthew Ratajczak showed me Alex Webb over a break in the The Stuart News newsroom. Within a span of minutes on those two separate occasions my photography style and direction was irrevocably altered.  It’s impossible to disagree with Mr. Colberg when he says the “experience of coming across a new body of transformative photography is exhilarating and indescribable.”

Read the rest on Mr. Colberg’s blog Conscientious.

There is almost too much here to see at one sitting, so either clear out your schedule for an hour or bookmark it and come back, because it deserves your attention.

Well said, although when Jorgen passed me this link a few days ago, he said:

Truth is, I’m secretly hoping you blog about it so more people check it
out.

There is nothing wrong with highlighting good photography, especially the confidence boost you get after watching Bruce Gilden’s video — the man is like a shark — he just lunges and shoots — I love it.

Video copyright WNYC

In the meantime, the videos are well produced (I don’t notice the video length or maybe it’s because I’m actually interested in the content). Either way, it’s well worth a long visit and you’ll walk away inspired. Thanks for the link Jorgen.

There was a long and humbling pause when I noticed that Jörg Colberg took mention of uncommons. This comes from an amazing blog that continues to shape my perspectives on fine-art photography and provides outstanding photographic content. He also posted a few more blogs here which quickly ended up on my RSS bookmarks.

Also, I’m constantly amazed at Nikon’s aggressive drive to get gear in the hands of photographers. Bill Pekala of Nikon NPS is arranging a camera loan for an extended use as I contemplate upgrading digital cameras. Lindsay Silverman, the senior technical manager for Nikon, passed along my request. Both of those guys are incredible, not to forget the staffs underneath that drive the boat. If you haven’t met these two, you should. Plus, I always see Lindsay’s write-ups in the pages of photo magazines, such as the Digital PhotoPro mag that always seems to send a complimentary copy my way.

Post staffer Emily Rasinski just published a stellar news video on the closing of a local elementary school. The growth of her talent is outstanding – she just picked up a video camera not more than a month or two ago. Check it out here. Also, keep your eye on News Videographer because I sent Angela a message asking for a critique.

Speaking of multimedia, I like how Colin Mulvany of the Spokesman-Review pretty much ‘threw down’ on the line between complaining and learning multimedia on his blog Mastering Multimedia. It’s like a put up or shut-up. Nicely said.