Found Fields: a self-published photo book

My latest self-published photo book is titled Found Fields – available through Blurb Books.

Found Fields refers to my approach when taking photos: scenes found in my field of vision. Photographers often call it being a gatherer rather than a hunter—finding scenes by chance, rather than intentionally hunting them down. Many of my photos are taken during my daily routine, or just going somewhere ordinary. Of course, I’m attracted to novelty–going to new places, seeing new things. But I also love seeing familiar scenes, places that I have photographed many times before, and discovering once more that nothing ever looks the same way twice.

Over the years I’ve learned always to carry a camera, and, even more important, to take time to study details of the world around me. In refining my vision and technique, I also strive for images that, I hope, carry some deeper meaning.

The photos in this book show some themes that I have been exploring for a long time now (societal issues; climate change; the failure of capitalism), along with wonderment, and, sometimes, the sheer absurdity of life. I think of the photos collected here as being both optimistic and pessimistic, in roughly equal measure. Ultimately, though, I have a great deal of hope for the future, and I trust these images reflect that. Photography has always been magic for me, and the camera a loyal memory maker.

Found Fields
Photographs by Avard Woolaver
Softcover, 54 pages; 50 colour photos
20 x 25 cm / 8 x 10 in.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, 2022 – © Avard Woolaver

.

Brooklyn, Nova Scotia, 2023 – © Avard Woolaver

.

Windsor Forks, Nova Scotia, 2015 – © Avard Woolaver

.

New Minas, Nova Scotia, 2012 – © Avard Woolaver

.

Amherst, Nova Scotia, 2013 – © Avard Woolaver