Think Anne, think! What inspires you? Patti is asking us what inspires me! My pondering was interrupted by a late breakfast at our Club House for newcomers who moved in while the complex was in lockdown. Now with relaxed rules, we can enjoy community life again.
At that breakfast, an artist, Al Fichera, who paints on his computer via a Wacom Tablet approached me to tell me how much he enjoyed my photography. “You’re a great photographer. You must have had some art background.” If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know I’ve had no art background and deem myself not the creative type. Al went on to say I must know composition instinctively. The conversation went on a little longer and in the end, I was truly inspired. Below is one of his pictures.
For me, my inspiration comes from people. Bob Scheibel, professor at L.A. Pierce College, inspired me to write. He held my hand through my first three articles for the L.A. Daily News in their weekly Neighborhood section and then let me fly on my own. This was during my first semester at Pierce in the journalism department. With his inspiring me, I went on to win Columnist of the Year in 1987. The plaque is on my wall.
Inspiring me personally are my dear friends Carol and Alyse. Carol was handed a death sentence by a doctor. She had multiple things wrong with the worse being Polymyositis, a degenerative muscle disease. To her doctors’ amazement, she lived for 23 years, before she died, when she was given less than one year. Her courage to withstand pain and her will to live was truly inspirational.
Also inspirational is Alyse who care gave to her all those years. I would stay with Carol to give Alyse some respite.
Now on to photography. I’ve often called my dear friend Marlene Frankel my photo muse. While she didn’t directly inspire me, just being out in the field with her helped made things click. For instance the photo triangle finally made sense while shooting with her. If I have a camera question, she’s first on my list to call. We’ve had a lot of fun together and she’s a sometime contributor to LAPC.
The next photographer to inspire me is Lucille Van Ommering. When I was entering two photos for the In Focus competition, Lucille took me under her wing and gently showed me how to print out my pictures. I remember telling her, “Wow, Lucille, I’ve never seen my photos that big!” She not only printed them, but showed me how to mat them. I left her house so inspired! Thanks Lucille!!
Next is the Yolo Art & Ag Project that invites artists and photographers onto farms and orchards for a morning of fun. I would never have been able to get onto the properties otherwise.
And finally the LAPC group under the leadership of Tina, Patti, Amy and Ann-Christine. You inspire me with your kind comments on my posts and your faith in asking me to be a guest host for this great group.
Just putting this post together has inspired me!
Slow Shutter Speed 
What a wonderful set of inspirations Anne! Like you I chose to point to the many people in my life who have inspired me – and there are so many more! I find that photographers are generally very giving people – helping each other along and inspiring each other as well. It’s been a great pleasure seeing your beautiful images these past few years and of course your writing is always spot on. we so appreciate your being such an important member of our Lens-Artists community and we thank you for including us among those you find inspirational! The feeling is mutual!
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Thanks Tina! This community has been an amazing influence in my photography. And you’re right photographers are very giving people who enjoy helping each other.
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What a great selection of inspirations Anne! I also enjoyed meeting the women in your photos and learning something about them.
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Thanks Anne! I’ve been fortunate to have amazing friends through my life.
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Anne what a fun post with more about you and your inspiring connections – cheers to having Marlene for the camera counsel and love those birthday shirts – gave me ideas for some in the upcoming years
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Thanks Prior! I’m glad you enjoyed the blog and are inspired to design birthday shirts.
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Truly inspiring people and projects, Anne.
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Thank you Susan!
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Great stories and photos, Anne! People like Carol give us the strength and hope to go on. Inspring, ideed. I, too, started photographing with friends’ support. 🙂
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Thanks Amy! Friends are wonderful.
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Nice photos of your friends. I really appreciated the pictures of Carol and Alyse, who I also knew and know.
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Thanks Kathy. I know you were friends with Carol, and I’m hoping you stay in touch with Alyse. Carol was such an amazing person. I miss her.
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A great post, Anne! You are truly fortunate to have had such inspiring people in your life.
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Thanks Sue! Yes, I am fortunate. We need to appreciate the people who move in and out of our lives.
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Love, love, love this post (and photo selection) Anne! A great reminder that “things” don’t inspire us, people do! 😊
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Thanks Donna! I’m so glad you agree that we get inspiration from people who propel us to do the “things!”
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