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Each one of us is a work in progress, always changing and evolving. Everything that happens to us; everything we come into contact with, changes us in some way. Conversely, we also play a part in having an impact on everyone and everything we come into contact with – for ill or good.
There’s something very powerful in that notion. It’s quite a responsibility, to be fully aware of what we take in and what we put out.
As I continue my work on this blog and in my workshops, I’m always asking myself what it is I want to say and how I want to connect. It’s been an ever deepening process and it’s good to look back and see how we got to where we are now. In this two part series, I will share how my photography (and life) has evolved and I hope that it makes you think about your own evolution.
The Beginning
I’ve been a visually sensitive person since as far back as I can remember. Before my camera days, I kept scrapbooks filled with pictures and newspaper clippings of my obsessions – figure skating mostly and people I admired. After graduating from College, my mother gave me my first 35mm camera. I was heading out on an adventure to western Canada and I had a lot of fun with that camera, documenting my trip and time in Vancouver. Once I had kids, they become the focus for my lens.
It was during that time that I read a book about Ansel Adam’s life that blew me away – his photography, yes, but mostly the way he lived his life. Adams followed his passion and also used his photography to help preserve the greatest wilderness areas in the United States.
After visiting Adam’s beloved Yosemite National Park in 1995, I immediately registered for a black and white darkroom class at the local art centre. Eventually, I set up my own darkroom in the basement of my house. The magic that everyone talks about when an image suddenly appears for the first time in the photographic solution ignited my passion for photography. And, it has not wavered since.
Over the next 5 years, I took more darkroom classes (even one in colour) and attended my first photography workshop in New Mexico. I was intent on learning everything I could about photography and becoming proficient at making beautiful prints.
Fern Montage (Orton Effect), 2001
The technical side of photography was my primary focus.
Life took a new turn after attending my first Freeman Patterson workshop in 2001 (and again in 2005). Patterson and his workshop partner, Andre Gallant, taught me visual design and opened my eyes to new ways of seeing.
At this point, photography was a serious hobby. I didn’t want to lose my passion for it by doing commercial work. However, friends started asking for prints (and wanted to pay me for them). I did my first exhibit in 2005 called “God is Light.”
For the next few years, I focused on using my photography to explore environmental issues – as I completed a Masters degree on the subject. In 2007, I decided to do a 365 day project as part of my studies. I would take a photograph every day on the subject of discovering a sense of place in my hometown of Indianapolis. This project taught me the value of daily practice and how to photograph a theme.
Photography became a form of self-expression.
In 2009, I took the plunge and started selling my work through a cooperative art gallery. While not financially lucrative, over the next three years I learned so much from the other artists in the gallery, as well as what sells and what doesn’t. During that time, I also began writing and blogging online. I set up an online store. I was still focused on creating prints that would sell or be pleasing to others – outcome more than process. I still didn’t completely trust my own instincts.
Photography, both the craft and the art, helps me to be. It allows and enables me to live creatively, which is to honour creation and my own existence. As I consciously pursue my craft, my concerns, anxieties, fears, loves, hopes and dreams bubble up from my unconscious. In this meeting of the conscious and the unconscious, I can acknowledge my woulds and experience healing. ~ Freeman Patterson, Shadowlight
Does this resonate at all with your story as a photographer?
See Part 2 – Contemplative photography and a new way of seeing the art of photography.
Yes, your story does resonate with my own story as a photographer, especially your work in a dark room. I remember so clearly what it was like to see those images appear as if by magic on that paper as it sat in that tray. The smells of the chemicals, the safety light, the aromas of all things camera.
It takes a long time, I think, to find our photographic “voice” if you will. I am only just beginning to hear my own…and it is exciting and frightening all at the same time.
Looking forward to reading Part 2!
Yes, it can take a long time to find our photographic voice. I’m glad you resonate with the darkroom experience. It’s interesting to think that very few will have that same experience ever again.
How lovely to read about your photographic journey over the years, Kim. All very enriching to be sure!
It’s so true that we’re all a work in progress and I can feel the changes within myself according to what experiences I am living in my own life.
The ups and downs are part of our creative journey and I feel that my photography is witness to that.
We can only express what we are in the moment. We are what we see at every given time according to our point of view, ever-changing, which leads us where we need to go.
Thanks, Sandra. And, so wise to say that “we can only express what we are in the moment.” I don’t think that I have necessarily become better, although we do hope to improve with practice. All phases of the journey are necessary and important.
P.S.
I love your images, especially the first one of the path leading to the lighthouse which speaks to me particularly at this moment.
Thanks, as always, for visiting, Sandra. You know I love your images too. Birds of a feather …
I really enjoyed this read. I remember very well a picture I took when I was about 10. It was a portrait of my sister and I used a lamp to help light it, and was fascinated with the effect. My 1st darkroom experience was while
i was in the Peace Corps in Romania. My host family father couldn’t speak English but we shared a love for photography. He helped me buy the chemicals and showed me how to develop the film in the bathroom. I loved it, and all the great photo ops of that country.
When I came home 4 years later I took every photography class offered by the local college, and some online ones as well, including yours. Nothing gives me more peace than exploring life with a camera!
How exciting Kathy to have your first darkroom experience in a foreign country. I hope you are exploring with your camera again very soon.
How interesting to read your story – your evolution into the photographer and visual artist that you are today. Your writing and images are always so inspiring – now even more so, with the understanding of how you got here.
I’m glad the background helped, Brenda. It’s always interesting to look back and see the journey.
Your photography has always spoken directly to my heart and inspires my Inner Contemplative. I have no experience with photography and forever felt shy as a result. You showed me a way to approach life with a camera that made it okay to capture images that made me ‘feel’ something, rather than seeking to capture ‘the perfect shot’.
I have a knack for seeing what’s around me differently than others – perhaps from a soul/spirit perspective than a 5 senses one. I’m starting to take photos that illustrate a state of feeling I’m experiencing at the time, and it’s making me very happy. I’m using my iPad camera at the moment, so the picture quality isn’t great – but I am often capturing essence – and I look forward to going deeper with that. (And one day evolving to a better camera and an understanding of technique.)
I am so grateful for the work you do and the ways you inspire me. Your Saturday Letter is something I look forward to every week, and you always make my heart sing with something that you’ve shared. This week, I’m grateful to learn of the Humans of New York – I love everything about it.
Looking forward to Part 2 of your evolution … Sally
I so appreciate your support, Sally. I will never forget “meeting” you through your wonderful wisdom post at Amy Oscar’s site. Your thoughts on “symbolic sight” and the way you responded to each and every commenter still blows me away. I was changed by that.
http://amyoscar.com/wisdom-series-awakening/sally-gentle-drew-spirit-sleuthing-symbolic-sight-and-you/
I loved reading of the beginning of your journal. We have taken quite different paths but somehow have ended up in the same place. As an old Taoist saying states, “There are many paths to the top of the mountain but the view is still the same.”
Funny how that happens, Patricia. You are mentioned in my part 2 evolution. 🙂
Enjoyed this so. Could relate so much. Looking forward to part 2. I just signed up for your abstract class. Can’t wait! I’ve been wanting to take one of your classes for a long time…just now getting to a good time. Most of my emphasis is on my blog http://www.gothamgirlchronicles.com where I showcase my life in NYC through my photography and writing. I will blog about this class in my more personal blog, wwww.thenextfewyears.com where I blog about my photography path and dipping my fingers into mixed media along with dealing with the ugly disease that my dad has..Alzheimer’s. I LOVE abstract and can’t wait to learn more. Thank you!
Hi Robin, I’ve explored your wonderful blog(s) before and just had fun revisiting. I’m so glad you’re signed up for Going Abstract and can’t wait to see your abstractions of NYC or wherever else you happen to be.