Why do I draw and paint instead of photographing?
Thousands of photos of people, streets, mountains, trees, flowers, fish and corals around Japan, Australia and the UK are on my computer. I started photography with a 35mm film camera long before the digital camera became available.
The immediate nature of photography suited me while I was working. I always felt that I didn't have enough time for anything, so being able to capture an image with just one click was the best I could afford. The photography allowed me to convey my interpretation of a time and event that I had witnessed. Photography was my creative oasis.
Over the past year, my relationship with photography has changed. I quit my job in the corporate world and gained more control over my time and life. This newfound freedom allowed me to appreciate my surroundings and take the time to observe and capture them without being bogged down by a never-ending to-do list.
When I draw, I absorb subtle details and moods better than photographing.
When I draw, I feel that I am connecting with my surroundings.
When I draw, I tap into something from my past, merge it with the present and sense the freedom to create the world in the way I see it.
I still take many photos but do differently. These days, I rarely spend a long time deciding on framing, angles and lights to make interesting photography. The photos become mostly visual references and notes for my artwork.