Photography often involves identifying interesting subjects beyond the obvious beauty. A moment in a Chester, CT, fairground bathroom, with striking lines and light.
A lot of photography is about recognizing what might make an interesting image, which is not always the most obvious, beautiful subject matter. Sometimes it’s seeing some lines, a splash of light that works in a certain manner, or just that situation where you think you might be able to elevate what you’re seeing a little bit by framing it just right. There really are a lot of different elements that can make a photo one that our eyes want to come back to.
Today’s image came from a rather interesting moment when I walked into the bathroom at the Chester, Connecticut, fairground, bright and early, before most agility competitors had arrived. Something just struck me…
The Bathroom
Granted, fairground bathrooms are not the prettiest architecture or interior scenery that make us want to pick up our camera and photograph it to our heart’s desire. When I turned my head and noticed the lines and the light striking the side of the barrel and the floor, it caught something in my mind to cause me to go get my tripod and camera to capture this scene. I did get some odd looks when someone else walked into the bathroom, as photographing in a bathroom is not what one might expect (it was rather early).
This wound up making a fantastic print, which hangs in our bathroom at home, so I get to see it pretty frequently and still havent’ tired of it yet.
A Fresh Perspective
Photography is more than just a vehicle for capturing the world around me; it provides me with a palette and a set of brushes, with which I paint not only what I see, but also look to express the emotions that are evoked by the scene in front of me in that moment.
Growing up in the Netherlands exposed me to a wide cross-section of visual arts that laid the foundation of my photographic view of all that surrounds me. Early influences were the Dutch Masters of the 17th century, to whom I was introduced by my grandfather during museum explorations; favorites among them are the scenes of quotidian life depicted by Jan Steen and Frans Hals and the vivid landscapes of Jacob van Ruisdael.
My classical high school education was supplemented by the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum, where I spent many a lunch hour exploring its great collection. Here I was introduced to surrealism with a particular love for the approach taken by Salvador Dali; Dali also rekindled my appreciation for the work of Hieronymus Bosch, who often showed the folly of us mortals.
Universal Connections
My approach to any photographic subject is to look for understanding first; in this I look to establish either a connection between the viewer and the subject or capture the connection of the subject with its surroundings. The captured image then aims to portray this connection from a perspective that is part of my personal interpretation.
This interpretation is often a form of externalized introspection, which may alternately display the connection of isolated beings and items with their environment or highlight the whimsy of the profound world, in which we find ourselves. The universe is full of connections, many of which are waiting to be discovered; part of my journey as a photographer is to document these connections.
Any assignment, be it an event, a product shoot or a portrait session is always approached through communication with the client; this is where the first connection is established. Ideas are exchanged and a collaborative plan of action forms, ultimately resulting in a set of images that aim to exceed the expectations of each client.
And, lest we forget, it is important to have fun while practicing the serious business of photography!
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3 thoughts on “Thursday Throwback – 4”
What a great example of finding the beautiful in the very ordinary! Thanks for sharing.
What a great example of finding the beautiful in the very ordinary! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you. This one still makes me smile.