‘Three Season Dance’
Yes, you guessed it, this is my first collection which holds a theme through three images.
First of all, from my experience projects can often start way before you realise that a particular set of images can be placed into a collection. Yes, the one I have recently created gave me that light bulb moment, saying to myself, “why did I never see this before?”
I questioned this only because I had hindsight, but back in time when I was standing with my feet pointing toward the scene, I purely photographed this subject with an intent to express the emotion and more obviously the season’s change. I had forgotten about the ambitions to return with a complete focus on capturing this very frame in different seasons and therefore conditions. But would that preconceived idea beforehand allow me to create meaningful images when the driving force to create is not backed on emotion but rather a goal or target, a mission to achieve something specific?
This isn’t how I work, unfortunately, I can’t connect to anything I manufacture too much, over editing or planning etc
All things considered, I prefer the natural spontaneous and calmer approach to my photographic collections rather than striving to start something which wasn’t there, to begin with.
I often mull over one of my favourite photography quotes, “There is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept.” - Ansel Adams
If I just have fun in the landscape and capture the changing conditions and my reactionary feelings toward the scene, the projects will come in time, no matter the length of time that it takes or even how large or small the project actually comes to be. The more natural I am with my approach to photography and perspective on nature in front of me the more reflective my work becomes, the more I get drawn into the image relighting that old flame, re-imagining the adventure, remembering things that are not there presently. Without time, emotion, and ambition there is no photography for me.
Of course, if I have a few images already and have the ignition of inspiration to create a sequence of synergising images, I don’t think about it too much and let the thought roll onto the back of my head to mature with time, it may then pop up again with a larger collection of images and in result to make a successful series without tampering with my natural approach.
It was back on an extremely humid summers day, whilst walking a dog. Just wandering around my local hill which is covered with various woodland growth ranging from broad ancient oaks to new skinny birch. Coming down slight banking as the breeze zipped past my clothes cooling me down I noticed the trees. Not just any trees, but two juvenile birch trees. (Light Bulb). Instantly those three photographs came to mind, a collection which had been sat “completed” for some time without real knowledge. I just needed time, time to evaluate that the three images have a consistent theme but a difference in emotion and look to them which keeps the interest in this triptych collection.
Three Season Dance - Documenting change
Summer - An energetic mid-day dance among the natural fans, blowing constant warm air frilling up the leaves as the upper limbs twist and turn whilst the sun hangs high in the calm blue sky. Not a care in the world, a feeling full of halcyon.
Autumn - Late birch dancers put on a display ahead of the elegant rusted curtains making the background glow as the last light of day delicately paint red onto the flexible lean trunks.
Winter - Hardy birch dance proudly along with the dusting of confetti which falls from the shrouded clouds above as they complete a grand pas de deux together, recycling their inner warmth, surviving winter with grace.
Thank you so much for getting this far and taking a look at my first collection. Hope you enjoyed it. More to come.
Take care
Josh