REFLECTIONS

Within the very general category of locations I like to photograph, there are the sub-texts. For example, I like to take photos in the woods and I like to shoot in the city. One of the sub-text categories in the latter is store window reflections. What's interesting to me is that I don't primarily seek out the store windows, as much as come upon them within the general, bigger location. As with a lot of what I photograph, and have posted here, the trends and directions of my photography only become clear to me after taking the photographs. Having a body of work that spans some 40 years, I do have the luxury of looking back and assessing images that although taken years apart bear strong connections. In a sense, it is not too far removed from what Minor White described as "found photographs."

Below are three photos of store windows. The first one was taken a little over 39 years ago, on Kodak Ektachrome. The last one, 2 months ago, digitally, with a Canon Rebel Xsi and Tamron 17-270mm zoom lens.

Retail District, Boston–8.1973

Out of the Closet, Atwater Village, Los Angeles–4.2007

Dreamless, Salem, Oregon–8.2012

On previous posts, I've mentioned that I try always to limit post work to what can be done in a traditional darkroom. Usually, I'll reveal anything I have done otherwise. And, if I photograph something in monotone (black & white), I almost always process and display it that way. This is one of the exceptions. I shot this as a monotone jpg. with a color RAW file. When I clicked on the RAW file I realized I liked it better. But, as I say, minimal Photoshop work was done. except dodging and burning, and some exposure control. I've entitled it Dreamless as a bit of a private joke having to do with my sleep habits. 

Oregon State Fair

I took a bunch of snaps the night my wife and I went to the Oregon State Fair. I don't go on the rides and the fair food is deemed unsafe by cardiologists. We go every couple years. It's a great place to people-watch, see a lot of animals and experiment with light.

Hooded Sheep, 8.30.12

Along the midway, 8.30.12

Cotton candy. Cold drinks. The tilt-a-whirl... the inferred influence of Ferlinghetti, Robert Frank and Bruce Springsteen are all over this one. From the Coney Island of your mind to the boardwalk in Asbury Park. Strangely, this, to me, is a timeless, American image.

The Zipper, 8.30.12

Ferris Wheel, 8.30.12

Kilowatt Smile, 8.30.12

So much of photography is simply a matter of timing and luck. This is the second of two exposures I got of this couple about to be spun. The first is dark. She's not looking at the camera. When she saw me, she beamed. Amazingly, I got it.

Are You Going to Heaven? 8.30.12

4 selects

Turner Memorial Tabernacle, 9.5.12

If you've followed this blog, you know I very rarely "manipulate" my images. I try to limit my Photoshop work to basically what could be done in a darkroom, i.e., dodging and burning, exposure control, contrast, etc. So this one is a bit of a departure. The building and the angle seemed to lend themselves to an "antiquing" process. My little watermark is also kind of dated.

Daisies, 9.15.12

This one is a case of the camera ensuring I get the shot! I originally took this in monotone, but with the setting for a large jpg file, plus the RAW file. When I saw the muted palette of the RAW file, I decided I preferred it. I did nothing else to it.

Fading Flora, 9.15.12

This one was taken the same day as the one above, but I left this one in monotone. I used my Canon 105mm macro lens, giving it that extreme depth of field. A great lens!

Broken Window with Wasp's Nests, 9.29.12

This one reminds me a little of a Minor White image, which, to me, is never a bad thing.