Every time I process a roll of film, I"m reminded how magical photography really is...
March 30, 2011
Tri X
Music | Who is He and What is He to You by Bill Withers
Every time I process a roll of film, I"m reminded how magical photography really is...
Every time I process a roll of film, I"m reminded how magical photography really is...
March 07, 2011
Black Coat
Music | Durian by Cinematic Orchestra
I've had this long black coat for maybe 15 years. It was a bit over sized for me when I first got it, but I've managed to fit quite nicely in it still. It is one of my favorite pieces of clothing I have and usually only where it on special occasions.
Earlier this year, I was out at North Light II Studio, thinking I could manage the 50º temps we were expecting that day. However, I didn't take into account the temperature in the shade, which ended up being significantly colder. I knew the length and the comfort of the Black Coat was just what my chilly subject needed as we were in between shots. Turns out she looked really good in it so I snapped a few photos, then snapped more. It turned into about a 10 minute session where I got quite a few nice photos...
During another shoot I had a few days later, I purposefully brought the Black Coat to use with another subject I was shooting. With each person that wore it, I told them to wear it anyway they wanted and to just go with the flow.
Here are 3 renditions of the Black Coat...
I've had this long black coat for maybe 15 years. It was a bit over sized for me when I first got it, but I've managed to fit quite nicely in it still. It is one of my favorite pieces of clothing I have and usually only where it on special occasions.
Earlier this year, I was out at North Light II Studio, thinking I could manage the 50º temps we were expecting that day. However, I didn't take into account the temperature in the shade, which ended up being significantly colder. I knew the length and the comfort of the Black Coat was just what my chilly subject needed as we were in between shots. Turns out she looked really good in it so I snapped a few photos, then snapped more. It turned into about a 10 minute session where I got quite a few nice photos...
During another shoot I had a few days later, I purposefully brought the Black Coat to use with another subject I was shooting. With each person that wore it, I told them to wear it anyway they wanted and to just go with the flow.
Here are 3 renditions of the Black Coat...
March 02, 2011
When the Ending Doesn't Have an End
Music | Induction by Broken Spindles
The exhibition that started this project has selected there artists and unfortunately, I was not a part of the show. Françoise and I had all ready decided we would try and shoot more of the head pieces to continue the project and here are 2 more.
click to view gallery
Though I didn't get into the exhibition with the wet plates, I have no regrets at all in pursuing this project. Having brought myself the opportunity to work with Françoise, Cain and Ray, I have a series of 3 great images to put into the portfolio. It has also initiated me to start printing again, which led me to a few print sales. Working with Ray, I found I may have the opportunity to share studio space where these images were created...
Getting into that exhibition would have been a nice ending to a journey that began when I saw the first show 3 years ago. Though January was when I found out about the Call for Artists, I took on what I thought would be a difficult uphill challenge just to see if I could accomplish something from start to finish. They say the destination is secondary to the journey and I've learned that is correct. I'm not one of the artists that will be in that show, but what I started a little more than a month ago, I'm still walking thru the trip.
The exhibition that started this project has selected there artists and unfortunately, I was not a part of the show. Françoise and I had all ready decided we would try and shoot more of the head pieces to continue the project and here are 2 more.
click to view gallery
Though I didn't get into the exhibition with the wet plates, I have no regrets at all in pursuing this project. Having brought myself the opportunity to work with Françoise, Cain and Ray, I have a series of 3 great images to put into the portfolio. It has also initiated me to start printing again, which led me to a few print sales. Working with Ray, I found I may have the opportunity to share studio space where these images were created...
Getting into that exhibition would have been a nice ending to a journey that began when I saw the first show 3 years ago. Though January was when I found out about the Call for Artists, I took on what I thought would be a difficult uphill challenge just to see if I could accomplish something from start to finish. They say the destination is secondary to the journey and I've learned that is correct. I'm not one of the artists that will be in that show, but what I started a little more than a month ago, I'm still walking thru the trip.
February 26, 2011
Jes
Music | Love Chant
Serendipity often leaves nice moments and good experiences behind. And so again, she came and opened up a small opening to enable me to photograph Jes who recently came back from Rome, only to be leaving for LA in the next few days. My desire to shoot a wet plate of her will however have to wait, but we still were able to get some great shots. Via facebook, I found she was still in town, and had some time. Promptly, 4 hours later we would meet to shoot.
An unusual cloudless sky, but frigid temps kept our movement limited, but focused. We only worked together once before for portraits of her little bro and herself about 3 years ago. I had confidence that she would be able to project in front of the camera, solo.
click to view gallery
Serendipity often leaves nice moments and good experiences behind. And so again, she came and opened up a small opening to enable me to photograph Jes who recently came back from Rome, only to be leaving for LA in the next few days. My desire to shoot a wet plate of her will however have to wait, but we still were able to get some great shots. Via facebook, I found she was still in town, and had some time. Promptly, 4 hours later we would meet to shoot.
An unusual cloudless sky, but frigid temps kept our movement limited, but focused. We only worked together once before for portraits of her little bro and herself about 3 years ago. I had confidence that she would be able to project in front of the camera, solo.
click to view gallery
February 23, 2011
Artists, Creating, Something from Nothing...
Music | Angel by Weekend Players
Stepping out of the subject matter I tend to shoot, Françoise Weeks asked if I would photograph her latest creations that were going into an upcoming show. I'm finding it important to being with and working with other artists, if for nothing else, to gain perspective.
click to view gallery
The small sampling of what I shot here still shows the attention to detail, but flow and freedom in which all the various elements come together as well. I'd love to see the process... of creating happening. Magical both as a piece and process... But that is what artists do... make something out of nothing...
Stepping out of the subject matter I tend to shoot, Françoise Weeks asked if I would photograph her latest creations that were going into an upcoming show. I'm finding it important to being with and working with other artists, if for nothing else, to gain perspective.
click to view gallery
The small sampling of what I shot here still shows the attention to detail, but flow and freedom in which all the various elements come together as well. I'd love to see the process... of creating happening. Magical both as a piece and process... But that is what artists do... make something out of nothing...
February 10, 2011
Push
Music | Jericho by Weekend Players
Close to the middle of January, I found a Call to Artist for a show that will be exhibiting alternative forms of photography. It is the same show I saw 3 years ago which I appointed as one of the most important shows I had ever seen in Portland. My eyes were opened to the amazing technique of wet plates. It was at that point where my interest became focused.
Last year was really the first time I was able to explore the medium, which I still have not mastered. There are so many variables and so many things to comprehend in order to merely get an image on plate. Throughout last summer, I shot, but came no where near a plate I felt great about that stood up on its own.
With that in mind, I decided to go after this Call, short notice, lack of skills, lack of confidence... Inside my head, I knew I wanted to use this opportunity as a spring board, a new beginning to push me out of where I am into a different way of thinking.
Since the exhibit was about alternative photography, far removed from modern technology, I decided to not only use the wet plate as the medium to my images, but to use subject matter without any modern adornments. What would beauty look like without fashionable cloths, jewelry, material objects...?
I've been wanting to work with Françoise Weeks, one of Portland's premiere floral designers. I knew of her work and always thought I wanted to collaborate with her. This was the project. I was overjoyed that she wanted to meet with me to discuss the project and then work with me.
A muse of many years, Cain was the first person I thought of to be the subject of this project. I'm always assured at least one great image everytime we get together.
I know most of my hurdles from this project are my own mental blocks. Having looked back at this, from the perspective of one day passing since the shoot, I realize that just getting the wheels turning was the hardest part. My hours spent with Cain, Françoise and Ray, who let me use his studio was a ton of fun!
My main goal at this point is to keep moving and push my mental insecurities.
Close to the middle of January, I found a Call to Artist for a show that will be exhibiting alternative forms of photography. It is the same show I saw 3 years ago which I appointed as one of the most important shows I had ever seen in Portland. My eyes were opened to the amazing technique of wet plates. It was at that point where my interest became focused.
Last year was really the first time I was able to explore the medium, which I still have not mastered. There are so many variables and so many things to comprehend in order to merely get an image on plate. Throughout last summer, I shot, but came no where near a plate I felt great about that stood up on its own.
With that in mind, I decided to go after this Call, short notice, lack of skills, lack of confidence... Inside my head, I knew I wanted to use this opportunity as a spring board, a new beginning to push me out of where I am into a different way of thinking.
Since the exhibit was about alternative photography, far removed from modern technology, I decided to not only use the wet plate as the medium to my images, but to use subject matter without any modern adornments. What would beauty look like without fashionable cloths, jewelry, material objects...?
I've been wanting to work with Françoise Weeks, one of Portland's premiere floral designers. I knew of her work and always thought I wanted to collaborate with her. This was the project. I was overjoyed that she wanted to meet with me to discuss the project and then work with me.
A muse of many years, Cain was the first person I thought of to be the subject of this project. I'm always assured at least one great image everytime we get together.
I know most of my hurdles from this project are my own mental blocks. Having looked back at this, from the perspective of one day passing since the shoot, I realize that just getting the wheels turning was the hardest part. My hours spent with Cain, Françoise and Ray, who let me use his studio was a ton of fun!
My main goal at this point is to keep moving and push my mental insecurities.
February 07, 2011
Great Advice!
Music | Make Me Wanna Die by The Pretty Reckless
John Harrington - How to Stay Profitable in Today's Economy via A Photo Editor.
... but who will follow it?
John Harrington - How to Stay Profitable in Today's Economy via A Photo Editor.
... but who will follow it?
January 09, 2011
Stop to Smell the Roses, Moving to find them...
Music | BaBopByeYa by Janelle Monae
I brought out the Rollieflex with the intention to shoot. Bag, meter and camera by my side in the car... On my way home from a brief meeting, within a split second, I saw my first subject speed by as I drove. For another split second I questioned if I should turn the car around and take a closer look. Without thought, brakes on, scanning for an area to make a U turn, the direction of the car suddenly changed...
click to view gallery
Out of the bag, meter and camera in hand, I step out and get my general reading from the meter... 320 asa, f:5.6 @ 125. I want this image to have more mystery and stop down another 3/4's. It wasn't too difficult to line up the first shot as it was the view that initially grabbed my attention in the first place... A simple and almost anticlimatic, click of the Rollie and I was off to look for other angles...
After collecting a few other photos, I knew a great app in my camera phone that would work well with this particular subject matter. Back in the car and back out again, I find the same and other angles to shoot. Often times with digital, I try and keep in the mindset of shooting like I would with film... I won't look at the results of what I shot until only after coming home. A memento of the panache of what it used to be like... But today with my phone camera, I wanted to see if what I had in mind was working...
When something is working, you just go with it. No thinking. I had come to the area I was in by happenstance and so it would be I would drive around without much thought. My only inclination was to drive on roads I've never been on. On almost all my stops for a shot, I pulled both cameras out. I know for certain they will be very different from each other.
I had a very fruitful hour or so. I knew it all started with that bus. I knew that it all started by turning the car around and get the process going. A time to smell the roses or in this case, shoot the dilapidated...
I brought out the Rollieflex with the intention to shoot. Bag, meter and camera by my side in the car... On my way home from a brief meeting, within a split second, I saw my first subject speed by as I drove. For another split second I questioned if I should turn the car around and take a closer look. Without thought, brakes on, scanning for an area to make a U turn, the direction of the car suddenly changed...
click to view gallery
Out of the bag, meter and camera in hand, I step out and get my general reading from the meter... 320 asa, f:5.6 @ 125. I want this image to have more mystery and stop down another 3/4's. It wasn't too difficult to line up the first shot as it was the view that initially grabbed my attention in the first place... A simple and almost anticlimatic, click of the Rollie and I was off to look for other angles...
After collecting a few other photos, I knew a great app in my camera phone that would work well with this particular subject matter. Back in the car and back out again, I find the same and other angles to shoot. Often times with digital, I try and keep in the mindset of shooting like I would with film... I won't look at the results of what I shot until only after coming home. A memento of the panache of what it used to be like... But today with my phone camera, I wanted to see if what I had in mind was working...
When something is working, you just go with it. No thinking. I had come to the area I was in by happenstance and so it would be I would drive around without much thought. My only inclination was to drive on roads I've never been on. On almost all my stops for a shot, I pulled both cameras out. I know for certain they will be very different from each other.
I had a very fruitful hour or so. I knew it all started with that bus. I knew that it all started by turning the car around and get the process going. A time to smell the roses or in this case, shoot the dilapidated...
December 15, 2010
The Print...
Music | The Gift of Freedom by Charles Webster
This morning, I picked up a print order for one of my clients at the lab. It is a bit out of the way, but I enjoy picking up prints. I remember back when I was a kid, I'd have to wait a week or more to have the local drug store send out the film to a processing lab. Just after paying for my purchase and not even hitting the door to leave, I would have all ready torn into the envelope, careful to not let the negs fall out and start going thru what I had just shot. One... Two..... Three...... Start counting the keepers from the garbage.
I love that anticipation. For that week, you knew you had something to look forward to. And when the day finally arrived, your anticipation level was so high, hence the open envelope almost immediately after touching your fingers... You still had change to receive as you shuffled thru the first few photographs...
Sometimes weeks would go by before you finished shooting off that roll of 24 frames. Almost guaranteed that at least a month or more went by if you got a roll of 36 frames. Suddenly, as you look thru those images in July, you see images of snow and the frigid feeling of winter suddenly comes back to you.
And unlike now, where everything is viewed on a screen, the tactile feeling of a print is so much more emotional. The print changes before your eyes as you tilt it to remove the glare, or move up close to see more detail. That intimacy of physically handling the print is what I love. That feeling will always be with me. I have memories of going thru albums on the living room floor with my family and laughing and giggling about our recent history... I wonder if my kid will have memories of being in front of the computer screen, looking at images when she is older...
This morning, I picked up a print order for one of my clients at the lab. It is a bit out of the way, but I enjoy picking up prints. I remember back when I was a kid, I'd have to wait a week or more to have the local drug store send out the film to a processing lab. Just after paying for my purchase and not even hitting the door to leave, I would have all ready torn into the envelope, careful to not let the negs fall out and start going thru what I had just shot. One... Two..... Three...... Start counting the keepers from the garbage.
I love that anticipation. For that week, you knew you had something to look forward to. And when the day finally arrived, your anticipation level was so high, hence the open envelope almost immediately after touching your fingers... You still had change to receive as you shuffled thru the first few photographs...
Sometimes weeks would go by before you finished shooting off that roll of 24 frames. Almost guaranteed that at least a month or more went by if you got a roll of 36 frames. Suddenly, as you look thru those images in July, you see images of snow and the frigid feeling of winter suddenly comes back to you.
And unlike now, where everything is viewed on a screen, the tactile feeling of a print is so much more emotional. The print changes before your eyes as you tilt it to remove the glare, or move up close to see more detail. That intimacy of physically handling the print is what I love. That feeling will always be with me. I have memories of going thru albums on the living room floor with my family and laughing and giggling about our recent history... I wonder if my kid will have memories of being in front of the computer screen, looking at images when she is older...
November 22, 2010
Why Words?
Music | Invitation by The Lucky Thompson Quartet
Like music, paintings or any other of the arts, I appreciate the work itself with my own interpretations. Sometimes I have none, and would like to have some background on a piece. But there are those images that I am beholden to, just by 1st impressions...
Like music, paintings or any other of the arts, I appreciate the work itself with my own interpretations. Sometimes I have none, and would like to have some background on a piece. But there are those images that I am beholden to, just by 1st impressions...
November 07, 2010
Haley
This is both a test and post from my phone I am try to figure out. I shot this photo and the effects were created using an app within the phone... I'm finding this technology quite amazing and I wanted to see how simple this process is. So far so good and simple...
November 03, 2010
Stop the Bitching and Move on...
Music | It's Good to be in Love by Frou Frou
I need to move forward...
http://conscientious.tumblr.com/post/1447220689/just-a-thought
I need to move forward...
http://conscientious.tumblr.com/post/1447220689/just-a-thought
October 28, 2010
keeping up...
Music | So Easy by Royksopp
Between 2 blogs, a twitter and just recently a tumblr account, it is amazing I post anywhere. I noticed I have not posted here in quite sometime, so I thought I'd post my my recent shoot...
I love basement walls... I'm still in search of the perfect basement, a bit dirty and dingy, a wooden stair case on one side and a bare swinging light bulb, dimly lighting just a corner, everything else fading to black...
But not for this shoot. Anna's place is quite neat and clean, but the concrete wall and floor with the window still intrigued me.
Between 2 blogs, a twitter and just recently a tumblr account, it is amazing I post anywhere. I noticed I have not posted here in quite sometime, so I thought I'd post my my recent shoot...
I love basement walls... I'm still in search of the perfect basement, a bit dirty and dingy, a wooden stair case on one side and a bare swinging light bulb, dimly lighting just a corner, everything else fading to black...
But not for this shoot. Anna's place is quite neat and clean, but the concrete wall and floor with the window still intrigued me.
September 28, 2010
Good Bye Light...
Music | Polvere di Gesso by Giamaria Testa
It is all about how light falls and surfaces reflect. There is light that dances off surfaces, wrapping gently around curves, slowly fading to black, creating shadows that define shape, creating form. There is light that is hot, direct and forceful, creating harsh reflections, hard delineating shadows, extreme contrast...
Here at the North Light Studio II, I'm happy to be able to work with the soft light falling from the north and some from directly above. But as the light falls to the south and clouds mostly taking over the skies with the passage of autumn to winter, my special light will falter to a flat directionless light. The seasons come and go and now I'll have more anticipation to work the North Light Studio II for next year...
It is all about how light falls and surfaces reflect. There is light that dances off surfaces, wrapping gently around curves, slowly fading to black, creating shadows that define shape, creating form. There is light that is hot, direct and forceful, creating harsh reflections, hard delineating shadows, extreme contrast...
Here at the North Light Studio II, I'm happy to be able to work with the soft light falling from the north and some from directly above. But as the light falls to the south and clouds mostly taking over the skies with the passage of autumn to winter, my special light will falter to a flat directionless light. The seasons come and go and now I'll have more anticipation to work the North Light Studio II for next year...
September 16, 2010
Re-Alignment
Music | Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers
I've tried to go at it alone and learn on the run... There is great satisfaction of finding solutions to problems yourself. But as my inconsistencies with my wet plates grew to great displeasure, I knew it was time to call in for help. My good friend Ray Bidegain has again come to recalibrate my head to bring some sanity to my mind.
After some great conversation over one of my ever improving lattés, we went to my work space so I could show him my set up. As I had initially thought, my issues were in the processing stages. Immediately, Ray picked up on some problems that I was having, diagnosing and coming up with obvious and simple solutions. Having a second set of eyes and another more experienced brain makes a huge difference. I saw immediately no streaks or drip marks on the first plate. We only needed to do a total of 3 plates where I think I can achieve a much higher level of plates.
This specific plate has been doctored up a bit, because of and snakey mark and dust... but there are no strange dip marks or pour stains... I'm a happy boy...
I've tried to go at it alone and learn on the run... There is great satisfaction of finding solutions to problems yourself. But as my inconsistencies with my wet plates grew to great displeasure, I knew it was time to call in for help. My good friend Ray Bidegain has again come to recalibrate my head to bring some sanity to my mind.
After some great conversation over one of my ever improving lattés, we went to my work space so I could show him my set up. As I had initially thought, my issues were in the processing stages. Immediately, Ray picked up on some problems that I was having, diagnosing and coming up with obvious and simple solutions. Having a second set of eyes and another more experienced brain makes a huge difference. I saw immediately no streaks or drip marks on the first plate. We only needed to do a total of 3 plates where I think I can achieve a much higher level of plates.
This specific plate has been doctored up a bit, because of and snakey mark and dust... but there are no strange dip marks or pour stains... I'm a happy boy...
September 15, 2010
Practice, Scream, Practice, Scream - Scream
Music | All Through by OOO
Times like yesterday afternoon, when not a single plate photographed was really worth saving, makes me want to scream. It is apparent that I need tutoring at this point because after 3 months, I've come no where near a perfect plate and when curve balls are thrown at me, I'm not sure how to counter. This is where history and knowledge beyond the techniques come in handy. I haven't learned yet what I need to know. I can go thru the motions, but that's it...
I tried using my espresso maker the other day. Haphazardly put in some espresso, water and let her go. Out comes a very good cup of café. Next, a latté... Not bad! I was never taught how to make the proper espresso. I went through the motions, but still know nothing more than when I first got the machine. After a few days and a lot of practice, I've become pretty good. My latte is tasty and I'm happy with what I've created.
Zen and the art of creating takes knowledge, practice and more practice. I just wish my wet plates came out a good as my latté...
Times like yesterday afternoon, when not a single plate photographed was really worth saving, makes me want to scream. It is apparent that I need tutoring at this point because after 3 months, I've come no where near a perfect plate and when curve balls are thrown at me, I'm not sure how to counter. This is where history and knowledge beyond the techniques come in handy. I haven't learned yet what I need to know. I can go thru the motions, but that's it...
I tried using my espresso maker the other day. Haphazardly put in some espresso, water and let her go. Out comes a very good cup of café. Next, a latté... Not bad! I was never taught how to make the proper espresso. I went through the motions, but still know nothing more than when I first got the machine. After a few days and a lot of practice, I've become pretty good. My latte is tasty and I'm happy with what I've created.
Zen and the art of creating takes knowledge, practice and more practice. I just wish my wet plates came out a good as my latté...
September 06, 2010
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!
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!
Questioning Judgement...
Music | Noiseshaper by Dunk
On my way through out the new process, I can see the possibility of getting caught up in specific aspects of the technique... Bad composition but great pour and clean plate, or everything is perfect with the exception of a light leak in the film holder... We tend to want to concentrate on the positive. I don't think I have let my ability to rate and want publish a photograph, either online or elsewhere blind my judgment to the entirety of an image. I can honestly say I have never come close to producing a perfect or even 75% near perfect image on a technical basis. However, in terms of composition, the ability to communicate an emotional state, or merely feel I have something to say in a photograph has never been an issue. If I feel the visual content of an image is strong enough, it sometimes can override my lacking of technical skills. This is especially true with my adventures with the Wet Plate Collodion process...
However, I was writing to a friend of mine and was shocked to see what he wrote about the image below...
"those pics of xxx and xxxxxxx are scary"
"...you took pretty girls and made them ugly"
"dude, that ain't pretty"
"look at it, there's no other way to interpret it... xxxxxxx looks like an old hag from the Oklahoma dust bowl and xxxx looks like forced child labor from the '20s"
And... last but not least, he also said his wife said I should take it down!
I hope I can take criticism for what I do, like the way I did for this... I sincerely appreciated his honesty. I think for me the shocking response to the photograph made me compelled to write about it here. It is interesting to be able to communicate what one feels about an image. It brings out something in both the artist and viewer...
On my way through out the new process, I can see the possibility of getting caught up in specific aspects of the technique... Bad composition but great pour and clean plate, or everything is perfect with the exception of a light leak in the film holder... We tend to want to concentrate on the positive. I don't think I have let my ability to rate and want publish a photograph, either online or elsewhere blind my judgment to the entirety of an image. I can honestly say I have never come close to producing a perfect or even 75% near perfect image on a technical basis. However, in terms of composition, the ability to communicate an emotional state, or merely feel I have something to say in a photograph has never been an issue. If I feel the visual content of an image is strong enough, it sometimes can override my lacking of technical skills. This is especially true with my adventures with the Wet Plate Collodion process...
However, I was writing to a friend of mine and was shocked to see what he wrote about the image below...
"those pics of xxx and xxxxxxx are scary"
"...you took pretty girls and made them ugly"
"dude, that ain't pretty"
"look at it, there's no other way to interpret it... xxxxxxx looks like an old hag from the Oklahoma dust bowl and xxxx looks like forced child labor from the '20s"
And... last but not least, he also said his wife said I should take it down!
I hope I can take criticism for what I do, like the way I did for this... I sincerely appreciated his honesty. I think for me the shocking response to the photograph made me compelled to write about it here. It is interesting to be able to communicate what one feels about an image. It brings out something in both the artist and viewer...
August 18, 2010
More Beauty...
Music | Mad World by Alex Parks
Jen was back in town for another few days and for the 2nd time, I have been fortunate enough to photograph her again. I love our collaborations together. We don't talk much and as I imagine our future sessions together, we may not have to talk at all... Being comfortable in silence is just as important as verbally communicating our opinions, desires and instructions.
However, I appreciate Jen more so because she can push me when she has her own ideas to keep the shooting going. I didn't have a lot of advance ideas coming into the shoot. It was more of a flow and go day. Of the 7 plates we shot, only one was a disappointment and that was more my judgement call than anything else.
I'm starting to feel connected to this art. Still way more to learn, but having some grasp, little to very little, I'm feeling so excited about shooting and creating more plates...
Jen was back in town for another few days and for the 2nd time, I have been fortunate enough to photograph her again. I love our collaborations together. We don't talk much and as I imagine our future sessions together, we may not have to talk at all... Being comfortable in silence is just as important as verbally communicating our opinions, desires and instructions.
However, I appreciate Jen more so because she can push me when she has her own ideas to keep the shooting going. I didn't have a lot of advance ideas coming into the shoot. It was more of a flow and go day. Of the 7 plates we shot, only one was a disappointment and that was more my judgement call than anything else.
I'm starting to feel connected to this art. Still way more to learn, but having some grasp, little to very little, I'm feeling so excited about shooting and creating more plates...
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