For this blog post i would like to talk about the past few years. Like i mentioned in my previous post, i havent written in a while- so i would like to catch up on that.
Here is a gallery of the images, or you can go to the actual gallery page and view them there:
I would credit this project with being my second cohesive photo series. I had more before this one and the very first. But these are the ones with the substantial amount of images (this one has around 30, only 20 of which are available for viewing pleasure).
In this series, each picture represents a particular story about various characters. Usually, they are shown with the little Flash Fiction i wrote to accompany them, but I do not have them available at this moment (might change in the near future). The pictures center around the characters shoes- placing them in different situations and mundane acts.
As a whole, I loved working on this series. There were highs and lows, but I really grew while working on it. My thought process changed: i was able to work through stress, or issues. I was able to keep going, knowing that i had a goal. And for that, i am very thankful of this project.
Up next is a small series I worked on: simply titled Carnival.
In Carnival, there is only about 8 images (here there is 6). A Very small series done with a Holga/Diana cameras*. It is my favorite body of work i did with the cameras. The series really centers around the loneliness of the carnival attractions. Forgotten by time. A world that doesn't appreciate them like they used to. Very depressing images.
Moving on: Free Eggs
*Holga/diana cameras are plastic lomography cameras. Very fun. Not sharp-and analog plastic body's. All images are scanned.
Free Eggs was a series i worked on during a difficult summer. I had a lot of doubts about myself and photography. In fact, i think it was the longest hiatus i have yet to take on the craft. I remember, i was working at Target Portrait Studio and was feeling overall drained by the lack of appreciation by its clients. The series idea came to me while working. Target had just opened its grocery store area and was giving away "free eggs." All week people were coming up to me asking about these free eggs and where they could get them. I knew that was it. It was inspiration i wasn't even remotely looking for.
The subtle tonalities of gray vs. white, with harsh blacks made this a great experience. I was shooting white eggs on white paper (that most of the time i allowed to change to a slight gray. But their is always they separation from falling off into the background.
I have a concept based off the photographs stating that the eggs are actually symbolic for humans and life. More or less the fragility of existence. The situations and spaces i crafted around the eggs represent our environments, or worlds that we collide each other. I actually have different interpretations of each picture, but im not going to go into that here.
So where am i? Oh yes, i finished Free Eggs in October of 2011, and started working on much smaller projects (for classes and what not)
The next major project to come about was in Feb. 2012: The Clown Variable.
Out of all my projects, this is by far the most daring for me to accomplish. Not only did it revolve around other people, but i needed a team with me more or less for each image. Usually, I sit in a dark room by myself and play with items. Big Step for me in this Project.
Let me talk about the background of this project before delving into it. I was in my senior year at Paier College of Art. I was about to embark on my final semester as a student (well....for a bfa that is). Senior Degree Project is basically your senior thesis project. Usually, with these types of projects you have all semester to work on them, but thats not the case with Paier. We had about 2 months. And let me tell you...i worked my tushy off in those 2 months. Well, prior to this, i never really worked with portraits. So i figured, it was time. I really wanted to go out of my comfort zone; knowing that i was leaving school and these opportunities wont come as often. So, when asked about what i wanted to do for my senior project- i responded (regrettably) with wanting to center it around clowns. (Its down regrettably because right before that, my professor said, he doesnt want it down on clowns...) But continuing with my idea, its about anything but clowns. Sure, at face value its all about the creature- but can you take things at face value anymore? you shouldnt. :)
I knew for this to work, i would need a team. Specifically, i needed my cousin Harmony Chamberlain to be on board with the project. She had done plenty of work regarding makeup, so i knew she was my team mate in making this work. I forced and bribed alot of people to model for me- and some were willing just cause. It was a great time. I am really pleased of how it came out.
The Clown Variable is about human interactions and taking things at face value. We judge by the external characteristics or surrounding rather than the overall true perception. The entire series is asking the question if this is right? Why must we be so quick to judge one another.
At the same time as working on the above series, i was crafting another: Naked.
The next series was my summer. Majestic Monuments
I have always loved this kind of photography. where emotion is gathered from the objects: or in this case, the buildings. Easily my longest series (roughly about 42images), and longest spanning body of work (took from May to October).
The final series that will be in this post (and my last finished one) Organic Revolution.
This series spawned from Naked. Fruits and vegetables have always been a prop i tend to use in various pictures, but never really centered an entire series around them. In fact, i didnt understand how i would, until this idea came to mind. I am a futurist. I feel technology will eventually be the downfall of the human race as we know it (as in, we might end up being augmented in some way that we dont necessarily represent the human race anymore). These pictures are about the transformation of this. At first we are coexisting with the machine, but near the end we will become one.
So thats my journey to this point. Im in search of another series right now. Actually, i have tried some "leads" i had on my next series, but im not sure if they will span out. I'll let you know in coming posts.
Sal