DISCORDANCE 2005 - 2015
“Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” ~ Dylan Thomas
Once in while I look back at the images that I have taken since I became immersed in photography. I think this is an important exercise in whatever artistic and creative endeavour one does, that is, to review and recollect your development and progress. In 2005, I caught the Eurostar to Paris having enrolled myself in my first ever photography 'masterclass' with Ralph Gibson for 3 days. We shot nudes and architecture.. For three whole days, yes, nudes and architectural studies. I was hoping and expecting to be shooting street photography, trundling through the Parisian cobbled alleys, catching the cafe society, and all things French. Nope, Two whole days, were spent in a hotel room in the Lutetia in Babylone Sevres and a vintage theatre in Montmatre. photographing two models in available light. One day was spent in St Germain photographing Parisian buildings in the harsh Spring light.
The Personification of Nature, as Goddess Earth, and it's many constituents, has deep roots in ancient Greek and Nordic cultures. The nurturing aspects of Mother Nature, Eve or the deities in many ancient cultures and myths are seen to connect the divine and the earthly planes.. Eastern cultures have similar Goddess deities, but their roles are often undetermined or mythic.
Last month, I dug these images out from my archive and wondered what to do with them. I hated the straight-forwardness of the studies.. They were bland and uninteresting. But I knew I liked them, and wanted to create something with them, So I sandwiched them into layers with my more recent photographs of woods, tree and seascapes. Voila. The days spent with Gibson gave me an invaluable insight into fine art photography.
Light.
Master the light with nudes and architecture and everything else will fall into place.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” ~ Dylan Thomas
Once in while I look back at the images that I have taken since I became immersed in photography. I think this is an important exercise in whatever artistic and creative endeavour one does, that is, to review and recollect your development and progress. In 2005, I caught the Eurostar to Paris having enrolled myself in my first ever photography 'masterclass' with Ralph Gibson for 3 days. We shot nudes and architecture.. For three whole days, yes, nudes and architectural studies. I was hoping and expecting to be shooting street photography, trundling through the Parisian cobbled alleys, catching the cafe society, and all things French. Nope, Two whole days, were spent in a hotel room in the Lutetia in Babylone Sevres and a vintage theatre in Montmatre. photographing two models in available light. One day was spent in St Germain photographing Parisian buildings in the harsh Spring light.
The Personification of Nature, as Goddess Earth, and it's many constituents, has deep roots in ancient Greek and Nordic cultures. The nurturing aspects of Mother Nature, Eve or the deities in many ancient cultures and myths are seen to connect the divine and the earthly planes.. Eastern cultures have similar Goddess deities, but their roles are often undetermined or mythic.
Last month, I dug these images out from my archive and wondered what to do with them. I hated the straight-forwardness of the studies.. They were bland and uninteresting. But I knew I liked them, and wanted to create something with them, So I sandwiched them into layers with my more recent photographs of woods, tree and seascapes. Voila. The days spent with Gibson gave me an invaluable insight into fine art photography.
Light.
Master the light with nudes and architecture and everything else will fall into place.
