Still in the Shadows (February 2015)
It has been my aim to develop my creative ideas in a systematic way alongside developing my photography skills.
Having a young family, my time and resources are very limited and my opportunities to work creatively for myself have to be snatched at a moment’s notice so I have found it difficult to put my ideas into practice. As I have continued with my photography I have found that I have definite tendencies towards themes and styles but there are often limits, for example, portraiture excites me greatly but requires access to (willing) models who are more difficult to come by than I expected and very unlikely to be available at short notice.
With a little advice from dear friends and a lot of thinking about what I would really like to do, I came up with a very simple plan which fits perfectly within my life as it is at this point in time.
My project, which I have entitled ‘Still in the Shadows’ has already begun to allow me to develop progression in my work at a pace and in a manner which suits my life and my commitments.
I have allowed myself a small area for a black set which will remain as far as possible a permanent feature for me to return to whenever I can. Here I will be able to explore my interest in shadows and light and although I will not be taking portraits, which would be my ideal pastime, I hope to explore the life in inanimate things instead. By using simple objects from around my home which I may have bought, collected or been given I hope to explore the meaning and life within them and bring the light that they hold for me to the viewer.
I have set myself rules and goals so that I can be focused and precise in what I want to achieve but which will encourage me to stretch the boundaries of my work as I progress with the project:
I may choose 1 object or set of objects per sitting.
I may use one light source.
I must try to bring new life or perspective to the object I am working with and encourage an emotional attachment to it which might not otherwise be seen.
A session lasts until I am interrupted.
I may only choose 1 picture from each session to become part of the project.
As is always my aim, I hope to capture the beauty of the everyday. I have started very simply…
It has been my aim to develop my creative ideas in a systematic way alongside developing my photography skills.
Having a young family, my time and resources are very limited and my opportunities to work creatively for myself have to be snatched at a moment’s notice so I have found it difficult to put my ideas into practice. As I have continued with my photography I have found that I have definite tendencies towards themes and styles but there are often limits, for example, portraiture excites me greatly but requires access to (willing) models who are more difficult to come by than I expected and very unlikely to be available at short notice.
With a little advice from dear friends and a lot of thinking about what I would really like to do, I came up with a very simple plan which fits perfectly within my life as it is at this point in time.
My project, which I have entitled ‘Still in the Shadows’ has already begun to allow me to develop progression in my work at a pace and in a manner which suits my life and my commitments.
I have allowed myself a small area for a black set which will remain as far as possible a permanent feature for me to return to whenever I can. Here I will be able to explore my interest in shadows and light and although I will not be taking portraits, which would be my ideal pastime, I hope to explore the life in inanimate things instead. By using simple objects from around my home which I may have bought, collected or been given I hope to explore the meaning and life within them and bring the light that they hold for me to the viewer.
I have set myself rules and goals so that I can be focused and precise in what I want to achieve but which will encourage me to stretch the boundaries of my work as I progress with the project:
I may choose 1 object or set of objects per sitting.
I may use one light source.
I must try to bring new life or perspective to the object I am working with and encourage an emotional attachment to it which might not otherwise be seen.
A session lasts until I am interrupted.
I may only choose 1 picture from each session to become part of the project.
As is always my aim, I hope to capture the beauty of the everyday. I have started very simply…