Beth Buelow's excellent YouTube channel and Photo Promiscuity AGAIN... sigh....

[@PixelsHeartandArt]

I have come to call these short periods of photographic celibacy "Intermittent Fasting" 🙂. I plan to do it for an upcoming photography trip to Colorado (quick plug for the February's Women's Winter Photo Conference!). It's a totally new location for me, and I'm trusting that knowing there will be mountains, snow, and ice is enough - more info not needed! While I'm not a consistent celibacy practitioner, I try to hold the intention of being inspired by what's in front of me, rather than what others have done, and if I find myself mimicking someone else's approach, pushing myself past that point until my own voice breaks through. When I do that, there's a pivot (I usually can feel a physical shift in my energy in those moments) from "been there, seen that," to what I hope and feel is a more personal expression. So grateful for you both - your support, generosity, wisdom, humor, and thought-provoking conversations 💖💖 - Beth BEE-low 😉

[@colethompson1906]

Sorry Beth!!! Thanks for that phonetic spelling.

[@thecoleandjohnshow7236]

I do like Intermittent Fasting. That fits better for me too. Beth. Thanks for that!

[@roykropp155]

I've made a few comments on photo celibacy but have not intended them as criticism of what you do. I've tried to point out alternative points of view and what I think are some inherent misconceptions and inconsistencies with that approach. The intent is discussion, not criticism. I enjoy looking at the works of others (including yours!) but do not think that they affect what I do. For example, I enjoy the work Eliot Porter and Christopher Burkett, but when I am out wandering and photographing the forest, I do not think "what would Eliot do?" or "what would Christopher do?" I look for and photograph what interests me. I do enjoy the discussions you two generate and your interactions with each other. Keep it going.

[@thecoleandjohnshow7236]

Roy, we appreciate you very much! No offense taken. You always have thoughtful comments given in a kind way.

[@colethompson1906]

Speak for yourself John, I'm HIGHLY offended! (no I'm not, just kidding Roy). But...I have to call them how I see them!

[@ChristineWilsonPhotography]

Love Beth's chanel she has some interesting g guests and she's a great interviewer, and a subscriber to lensworks 😊 and a subscriber to your chanel , I've got all I need 😊

[@thecoleandjohnshow7236]

Excellent!

[@PixelsHeartandArt]

Christine, so happy to know you've found value in my channel!! Thank you! 🥰

[@jimruppel476]

Photographic fasting.

[@thecoleandjohnshow7236]

That works!

[@andycakebread7663]

This is interesting. I'd never really considered this before, though what I have often thought is those photographers of the past were in a world of photographers, or anyone with a camera, numbered in tens of thousands maybe, and the body of human collective visual knowledge and understanding was so much less than today. Now cameras are in the hands of billions, photographers number tens of millions or so and images are everywhere. To be original is so much harder! So I lean toward being a disciple of the Order of Cole I guess 😬🙏

[@colethompson1906]

I'm awaiting the snarky comment from John... How can you go wrong being yourself? To care more what you think, than what other's think? To be true to what you believe, even if it's not popular? This is a part of the formula for being happy.

[@thecoleandjohnshow7236]

Disciple of the order of Cole? Really? That is what you think will work? Sigh.... Andy, Andy, Andy.... what will we do with you..... Following Cole will only get you into a state of deep dark depression.

[@andycakebread7663]

@@thecoleandjohnshow7236 😂, already there pal, believing there's creativity down in the murk 👍

[@colethompson1906]

Beth Bee Low! That's how you pronounce it!

[@PixelsHeartandArt]

👏👏👏

[@thecoleandjohnshow7236]

Yes!

[@paulkavsak1941]

I think Beth pronounces her last name BeeLow.

[@PixelsHeartandArt]

You got it, Paul! 👏👏👏

[@thecoleandjohnshow7236]

Thank you Paul... I'm sure Beth by now has deleted both my and Cole's interviews.....

[@DREES56_TRR-qw2vr]

BTW, happy new year guys, wishing you great light and clear vision

[@ellenstoune8937]

Well, ya know... if you're not making art/photos/a life like everybody else, you're not conforming properly and that makes people nervous. I'm sure their rage is just a by product of not knowing what to do with all those uncomfortable feelings. ha ha ha! Gosh, I kinda think looking at the work of fellow artists is sometimes helpful. I know, when I started weaving a few years ago, I looked at everything. I have a pinterest board full of inspiration and techniques. Never having worked with fiber at all in any capacity, I needed to learn the hows and the whys. I'm still learning and still admire what other weavers are doing but I've gotten to the point where I can go my own way now and I am. I want to make work that is truly my own. It was/is the same with photography and mixed media art. I am coming to the conclusion that if you really want to make work that is honestly yours, part of the essential education and necessary inner work is getting comfortable in your own skin. Coming to know who you are and having the courage to live your own truth. Otherwise, those uncomfortable feelings come up and conforming to whatever is in fashion or whatever seems like an appealing option. What do y'all think?

[@thecoleandjohnshow7236]

Ellen, I love your comments. YES!!! We need to do the inner work! That is essentially what Cole has done to find his vision right? It is what I've done in the last 10 years especially with our Contemplative Photography Retreat. THANK YOU!

[@colethompson1906]

Someone recently asked me what the role of confidence is, in being able to be yourself. There's no doubt that it is important, but I think the important question is: how do you gain the confidence? I have my ideas, what are yours?

[@ellenstoune8937]

@@colethompson1906 That's a very interesting question, Cole. The thing is, I don't think of myself as a confident person. I don't think I'm ... well, I'm having a senior moment here... I don't think I'm disconfident or unconfident - what's the dang word for that!? Thanks to your question, I'm realizing I don't really consciously consider confidence when I'm going about making my work. Or courage. I think there is every possibility that these traits arise as a by product of one's self reflection and inner work. That "getting comfortable in your own skin" thing. Is it possible that trying to be or achieve confidence is very much like trying to achieve happiness? Elusive until one digs deeper into - well, I'm thinking of that video y'all did about why you make photographs. So digging deeper in your why and then allowing yourself to follow that thread. Surely that breeds confidence. That Georgia O'keeffe quote comes to mind... "I've been afraid every single day of my life, but I've gone ahead and done it anyway." Thoughts?

[@MarthaMontielPhotography]

You can call it intermittent photo fasting

[@thecoleandjohnshow7236]

I need intermittent fasting from Cole!

[@MarthaMontielPhotography]

@ 🤣🤣🤣

[@PixelsHeartandArt]

Martha, that's what I've settled on - intermittent fasting. Great minds think alike 😉💙

[@thecoleandjohnshow7236]

@@PixelsHeartandArt Intermittent fasting from Cole for you too... Great minds! :)

[@colethompson1906]

Photographic Celibacy Photographically Promiscuous Intermittent Fasting How about: Creatively Constipated? Color Anemia? Photo Echolalia?

[@deborahnielsen6286]

Veelow, I think's how she pronounces her last name.

[@PixelsHeartandArt]

Close 🙂 BEE-low.

[@thecoleandjohnshow7236]

We sure have butchered your name Beth BEEEEEEELOW......

[@PixelsHeartandArt]

@@thecoleandjohnshow7236 You're not the first, and won't be the last... ;-)

[@DREES56_TRR-qw2vr]

I find it bizarre that you have to defend your creative process Cole, it's your process and if it works for you, which it obviously does, then that's enough! For John's Scotland experience, could that not be "Geographic Photo Chastity"? or maybe "abstinence makes the photography pure" 😂😎

[@thecoleandjohnshow7236]

Amen... and truly he does his thing.. He is just miffed with those who argue with him about it.... I like what Beth Buelow has said. Intermittent Photo Fasting... but yours are quite good too! Anything to get him to shut up! :)

[@deborahnielsen6286]

Michelle Sons does a lot of self portraiture wearing dresses like that. Could that be her?

[@thecoleandjohnshow7236]

@@deborahnielsen6286 no. I know Michelle.