Throwback Thursday – 30

It’s fun to look back at some of my photography from a while back. As with any craft, we tend to get better through practice, especially when we look back at our images with a critical eye. As I review some of my portfolio, there are images that still connect with something in me. It’s fascinating to see how my perspective and skills have evolved over the years.

Today’s selection is one of those images that holds a special place in my heart. This particular shot was taken during my time in a conceptual photography class, where I was encouraged to push the boundaries of my creativity and think outside the box. The assignment was to convey complex emotions through visual storytelling, and this image was a product of that exploration.

I often find myself drawn back to this image, feeling a sense of nostalgia for the challenges and triumphs of that learning phase. It serves as a reminder of the importance of experimentation in the creative process and how every single project, whether a success or a failure, contributes to our growth as artists.

The inspiration for this shot came from a vivid recollection that I have of a striking black and white tree study by Piet Mondrian, which I encountered at the museum that bears his name in The Hague. Although I have searched extensively for the image, I have not been able to locate it, leading me to wonder if this vision exists purely in my imagination. The mental picture I hold is evocative—trees, seemingly bent by the relentless force of the wind, lining a desolate road, creating a sense of solitude and introspection.

For this particular shot, I employed a creative approach by hot gluing a fork to a paperclip, which I then bent to form a makeshift stand. This unconventional technique allowed me to achieve the desired effect of the fork standing upright. I carefully threaded the paperclip through gray paper, enhancing the illusion of it standing all by itself as if it were a living, breathing entity amidst the stillness of the moment. To capture the essence of the scene as I envisioned it, I aimed to use a narrow light source that would evoke dramatic shadows and highlights. Therefore, I opted for a single candle as my light source, which provided the perfect amount of illumination and warmth to the composition.

Once I dimmed the lights in my studio, I was ready to bring my vision to life. I created a 30-second exposure, carefully managing the environment to minimize any unwanted air movement that could disturb the delicately arranged setup. This long exposure would enable me to capture the subtle nuances of light and shadow, transforming the simple object into a poignant representation of nature’s resilience against the elements. The result, I hoped, would evoke the same emotions found in Mondrian’s work, merging the realms of memory and artistic expression in a unique and personal manner.

Author: jansenphoto

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! View all posts by jansenphoto