Images and Memories...

Music | Province by TV on the Radio


Anne and Ellie
Many times while shooting a family portrait, I often think about how the image relates to time... I think of photographs of my Mom and Dad from before I was born from the family album that are embedded in my head. For whatever reason, particular pictures act as icons that represent a person, that leaves important memories.

I still think the act of photography, the intention of stealing time is an incredible feat. Often over looked, taken for granted, we don't think about the incredible power there is in a photograph. With the way we are now accustomed to snapping away at our hearts content, the magic seems to have been misplaced...

What becomes accessible suddenly becomes mundane. What was once unique, that suddenly becomes the norm becomes of lessor value. Capturing time is and always will be as important as much as it sounds absurd.

I hope in the future, 5... 10... 25 years from now, as with all the portraits I've shoot, not only will the subjects have fond memories, important memories, a flavor of what it was like when the image was taken, but maybe some of the viewers as well... a family member, friend or acquaintance ...

Slow Emergence...

Music | Nipponized by Shingetsu Ensemble

Ironically, I had another discussion with a friend of mine about an image I had recently shot. Rod from Australia has been a great online friend for a few years now. We both have similar aesthetics, have similar battles in what we do and someone I respect as a photographer. We usually have our communications via ichat and thru our conversations, he is often the 1st to see some of the my most recent work. There has been a lot of trust developed over the years and I respect the opinions he offers.



Upon showing him this photo, his words surprised me... He said something like... How could you make this beautiful woman look like an old hag... Though Rod is new to Wet Plates, I knew his opinion wasn't from ignorance. I knew also that his view on things comes from a wide background of aesthetic. So, when he spoke those words, it really took me by surprise.

Though we didn't really talk about how challenging viewing a Wet Plate can sometimes be - one has to look beyond the surface of the image. Purely on a visual sense, I still cannot equate what Rod said to be true, but there is a challenge one is presented with when viewing an image that is not perfect. The discolour, strange artifacts, and flaws of the image forces you to look deeper and more profoundly.

Rod did admit that initial comment came out without much thought. It was more a reactionary opinion that may have come out a bit more abrupt than originally intended. I love that this new work is making people think, look beyond the surface and more into the image. Even someone with Rod's background in imagery, he was challenged. Upon some discussion about the image and a little view from my side, Rod changed his tune and admitted in much more a positive return. I don't often like to explain my intentions or serendipity as was the case for this plate, but now he admitted he quite likes the image a lot!

Eureka!

Music | As the Stars Fall by The Cinematic Orchestra

It feels good to know that over time, you start to realize some things about yourself, the things that define you as a person, as an artist. I have in my head the type of portraits that I want to create, but often times, things get in the way and you stray... I know of this phenomenon and it's desires are to quash my creative intent and mold me into mediocrity.

In my latest sitting, a portrait of a woman that I've been acquainted with, but don't really know, I had visions of an image that was somewhat historic, but yet timeless. Frankly, I want all of my images to have an ethereal quality that can't be defined by time.

Yesterday, my priority was not to let the phenomenon of mediocrity affect my time with my subject. Though my heart is heavy with the passing of my father, I worked thru that and easily fell into my moment with my camera, my subject. The weather really couldn't have been better, with slight drops of rain on occasion, clouds flowing in and out with even some sun rays - being in the moment of just creating a fine portrait allowed me not to worry and just go with the flow.

I think what I've learned recently is that there is something inside me that can be defined, that I am not just some wannabee with no skills. I have something to say and it is starting to speak. It has certainly taken much longer than I ever anticipated, but the wait has been good.


Anne | Grounded and Discordedness