Unnamed Twelve, 2017 — Side Slide :: (click to see more)
So much of how I photograph has become second nature. Most of what I shoot is my family with my cell phone. They’ve become much more self conscious and aware that I’m making photographs so I’ve had to get stealthy. But even that is difficult because my so called stealth…. isn’t THAT stealthy. Seriously, there’s only so much you can do to disguise your actions when you have a cell phone in your hand.
As with most of my work I’ve adopted and refined methods so I can get the shot or video clip I see. It’s the same with the projects I work on. It takes some iteration to refine the process until I’m consistently getting the images I’m looking for. And often along the way I’ll discover new perspectives and opportunities for exploration – which is totally cool.
Mauve Blue Smear With Pink, 2011 – Light Signatures :: (click to see more)
To Strive, To See, To Find And Not Yield – Ulysses, Lord Alfred Tennyson
Recently my grandmother quoted this to me as an explanation of my character. It’s a quote from Ulysses by Lord Alfred Tennyson. I have to say I feel a solid resonance with this quote. I think it explains me well but… stubborn might be another way of putting it… without the positive aspects of course. But, hey, perhaps stubborn could be considered an element of not yielding.
My grandmother knows me well – all my life – and has watched me grow from a child with all my many foibles. I must disclose that I believe I’m her favourite grandson so perhaps that adds to her praise. All the same, I am interested in seeking out and discovering new things and new ideas. This is at the core of why I photograph what I do.
It’s taken me years to get to this point, but now I am able to begin a new idea with a mental picture of what I’m looking for and use that as a departure point. I’m really glad that I’ve finally been able to visualize beforehand in the manner that Ansel Adams described in his photography book trilogy (that I eagerly read so many years ago). I’m not saying that I am actually able to achieve exactly what I visualize but I’ve been able to get close and it has given me guidance and a starting point.
The part of me that seeks to find and see takes that starting point and goes crazy with the possibilities. This for me is the truly exciting part of creating something. The opportunity to allow chance or chaos to participate in the process so that something completely unforeseen can emerge. And wow does it ever. I love it. It’s very empowering to make something new and beautiful that fits your vision and imagination.
