Morris Creedon-McVean
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My passion for photography was initially sparked when I became a Radio-Television-Film major at the University of Texas at Austin. Having previously studied Electrical Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington, understanding the mechanics of cameras and the physics of the light they capture came easily for me. I never had the opportunity to enroll in a photography course while at UT. As a result, I learned all of the technical aspects of this new passion on my own. My weapon of choice was Pentax Spotmatic (the common “serious” SLR for those of us who couldn’t afford a Nikon.) I found myself driven to photograph ordinary objects, with the goal of exposing the viewer to beauty that they may not have previously noticed. I was (and still am) inspired by the works of artists such as Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Brett Weston, Ruth Bernard, Lee Friedlander, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Carlos Delgado, Joel Meyerowitz, Ralph Gibson, Galen Rowell, Edward Muench and many others. As my technique improved I took on jobs for some of the professors in my department, including several weddings. What I learned from those experiences was that shooting for other people, even though they were pleased with the results, ruined the experience for me. I also found the countless hours in the darkroom that came with these assignments to be a bit tedious and boring. My calling was taking pictures, not making them. My inspiration was in the process: shooting in an uninhibited, intuitive mind set.
I decided not to make photography a serious vocation; rather, a kind of meditative experience that helped me to see the world in a fresh and beautiful way.
My career search ended when I was accepted to the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. I have continued to shoot as much as a busy professional could over the last 35 years. During this time period I continued to refine my style and my own perception of the visual aesthetic.
In the early 1980’s I graduated to auto exposure Olympus OM-2s; and, subsequently the Minolta series of auto focus cameras. More recently, I made the transition from film to the digital medium. I experienced a surge in volume and variety of subject matter after purchasing a couple of Canon EOS 350D Rebel XTs in 2003. These affordable, high-end digital cameras combined with Photoshop, and Epson desktop inkjet photo printers revolutionized my habits as they did four countless other photographers. I am generalist in medicine and photography, enjoying variety of subjects and styles; including, still life, abstractions, and digitally enhanced images of almost every type. The only thing I don't do is studio photography. Since my basic style is ‘street photography,’ I love to walk around with minimal equipment: I usually carry my Olympus OMD-EM5 and one or both of my Olympus Pen series bodies with one of an assortment of Olympus lenses. My arthritis limits the equipment I can carry. I also use a Canon 10MP pocket camera, the marvelous S95. Since I walk a lot at night due to my arthritis, I am doing more and more night photography. The OMD-EM5 has a 5 axis IS system built into the body, which is not only far ahead of Nikon and Canon's pro cams, with their 2 axis systems built into the lens, but it makes the high quality Olympus lenses light, but enables my 64 y/o hands with a tremor able to hand hold a 300 mm (in 35mm equivalent) at 1/15 sec "no problem". So night photography has been totally transformed.
No matter the equipment, the theme of seeing “the beauty in the ordinary” has remained my constant theme throughout the years.
- JoinedJanuary 2008
- OccupationPhysician, just retired
- HometownFort Worth, Texas
- Current cityAustin, Texas
- CountryUSA
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Testimonials
Though we have different styles, I have learned more about composition, creativity, and photographic appreciation from Morris than from any other source. He is a master in the use of lines and wonderfully out of place, vivid, beautiful color. Morris' abstract work and reflection captures are a treat to view. His uni… Read more
Though we have different styles, I have learned more about composition, creativity, and photographic appreciation from Morris than from any other source. He is a master in the use of lines and wonderfully out of place, vivid, beautiful color. Morris' abstract work and reflection captures are a treat to view. His unique style is addictive and inspiring. I am honored to call Morris friend.
Read lessI keep coming back to Mo's photostream for inspiration and pure unadulterated pleasure. His eye for the unique and beautiful in everyday items shows to his artistic sensibilities.
I know Morris from few time, but from first shot, I have appreciated so much his care for details, for real things, for meaning of life..thank Mo for your description, so painstaking, of real world!! your friend Paolo
Just want to say your photos are great!!! Your photography skill is really amazing! Also i want to say thanks for showing me the ropes on flickr- you've been great!!
This is long overdue! Morris was one of my earliest contacts and I fail to remember how our paths crossed. He was incredibly supportive in his comments on my stream at a time when I so needed validation for even being here amongst so many fabulous photographers. I thank you for that Morris! I can't think of a more … Read more
This is long overdue! Morris was one of my earliest contacts and I fail to remember how our paths crossed. He was incredibly supportive in his comments on my stream at a time when I so needed validation for even being here amongst so many fabulous photographers. I thank you for that Morris! I can't think of a more interesting stream to visit...and I often get far behind in visiting because I know I want to spend quality time here..he has a gift for making the ordinary so very extraordinary. He makes what some consider the waste of the world look like precious treasures. I am in awe! I would love for him to have more exposure for his stream in the flickr world. I do think his stream requires a unique audience...it isn't flowery or staged...it is raw and real, down to earth! Thank you for being my friend!
Read lessMac...what a stream he has... Mac is on my 'friends and family' for all the best of reasons. His photography is simple, his concept is simple and his treatment of everyday objects make me look again, its a very different viewpoint. Mac is supportive, taking time to comment, gives me critique (constructively) and is … Read more
Mac...what a stream he has... Mac is on my 'friends and family' for all the best of reasons. His photography is simple, his concept is simple and his treatment of everyday objects make me look again, its a very different viewpoint. Mac is supportive, taking time to comment, gives me critique (constructively) and is a gentleman in all senses. Saying that, I know there is an underlying wee bit of wicked humour there too. Portraiture is something that he does not shoot enough of, his images in this area are gritty and truthful and I wish he would take up the 100 strangers project, it would be something else! Ya hear me, Mac? Thank you for all the nice words and mailing me too, hope to meet in the future. :)
Read lessMorris sees himself a documentary photographer, and he indeed does that with excellence—but he is much more than that; he is truly a first-class artist. Just check out the skillful manipulations he does to his already well composed photographs, and how he interprets the mundane in such a way as to make it not only int… Read more
Morris sees himself a documentary photographer, and he indeed does that with excellence—but he is much more than that; he is truly a first-class artist. Just check out the skillful manipulations he does to his already well composed photographs, and how he interprets the mundane in such a way as to make it not only interesting, but exciting. His stuff is instantly amazing at times, and at other times requires some study to get the point—which is what keeps it refreshing. I am constantly looking to his work for inspiration. Dixon
Read lessI continually marvel at the inexhaustible enthusiasm that Morris applies to his photography. The abundance of images in his photo stream are no way diluted in their quality. The simplicity of subject matter, particularly the man made engineering objects, are treated with a loving tenderness and sensitivity. The texture… Read more
I continually marvel at the inexhaustible enthusiasm that Morris applies to his photography. The abundance of images in his photo stream are no way diluted in their quality. The simplicity of subject matter, particularly the man made engineering objects, are treated with a loving tenderness and sensitivity. The textures, colors and subtle treatment, complimented by compositional consideration, all create a unique "Work of Art". Never has the "beast been turned into beauty" with such passion and care. The mundane dilapidation through time and neglect, is magically transformed to new life with such charm and imagination. It is a privilege and pleasure for me to have been introduced to the unique style of photography created by Morris.
Read lessmcreednmcvean has an eye for beautiful objects which most of the poeple miss in their daily lives. His photos are very intriguing and visiting his photostream is like opening a treasure box!
Morris was one of my very first contacts on Flickr. He made a comment on one of my pics that really affected me; "Your images are very polished. You are either a seasoned photographer just new to Flickr or, a "natural" (by that I mean gifted)." Being the person that I am (just a woman with a camera and a passion for "… Read more
Morris was one of my very first contacts on Flickr. He made a comment on one of my pics that really affected me; "Your images are very polished. You are either a seasoned photographer just new to Flickr or, a "natural" (by that I mean gifted)." Being the person that I am (just a woman with a camera and a passion for "finding the perfect shot", that comment made a big impact on me and got me to thinking that maybe I was better at what I was doing than I thought I was. I replied to him with great thanks for the compliment and asked him to feel free to critique my work as he felt fit to do so. He has given me tips, hints and a lot of criticism (good and bad) over the past couple of months which has inspired me to become better at what I love to do. Thank you Morris and want you to know that when I have a ton of comments, I always look for your little Flickr icon so I can read it FIRST so I know if I've done good or bad.
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