In 2008, I explored Conceptual Photography, enjoying the course despite my instructor’s criticism of my predictable work. Here I share a sample…
As in last week’s episode, we’re back in the year 2008. At the time, I decided to take a course in Conceptual Photography to stretch my visual thinking a bit. While I enjoyed the course very much, the instructor was not impressed with my work. He found my submissions to be a bit obvious and predictable (he was right). However, there were a couple of images that I created during that class that I still enjoy.
Here’s one of them…
Solitude of Age
This was a bit of a fun shoot, as I wanted to get this rather pinpoint light source to get this shadow. After some experimenting, I lit this scene with a single candle. Using a long exposure and keeping the air pretty still gave me the result that I wanted.
The imagery is obvious with the bent back of age and the bright years behind, but I still enjoy looking at this composition.
And, in case you wonder how I got the fork to stand still… I used continuous paper to get the background and put a very small hole in it. Through that hole I threaded a stand made from a paperclip that I hot-glued to the back of the fork.
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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