It’s winter in the northern hemisphere, a time of decreased daylight. Some people get the winter blues and use a SAD lamp to alleviate Seasonal Affective Disorder. I am one of them. Others pick up their cameras to capture the beautiful blue light of winter. I am also one of them. You see, there is an upside to the winter blues.
In the winter months, the sun’s angle is lower and this affects the spectrum of light. The light has to travel through more of the atmosphere, directing more blue light to our eyes.
So, if the impulse strikes you, pick up your camera and turn those blues around.
Windows allow us a view into an inner world or an outer world, depending on where we are situated. And we can see through windows, yet they are also reflective. In this sense windows are mirrors.
When I take photos I often look for visual tricks that may give the viewer a double take. I like creating a sense of ambiguity for it ties in with how I see the world. There are many constants, yet so many flaws and inconsistencies. The best we can do is try and enjoy the ride (and in my case, document it.)
When I take a walk with my camera, I’m always on the lookout for the unusual–odd scenes, quirky juxtapositions. To me unusual things are more visually interesting. They demand our attention in different ways than traditional beauty does.
Do you remember those unforgettable Hipgnosis album covers? If you are around my age, you probably spent a lot of time in your teenage years listening to LPs and studying the album covers. You would play side one, then flip over to side two, all the while contemplating the meaning of the prism on the cover. The album art was often straightforward–an attractive portrait of the singer or band. But sometimes it was surreal and enigmatic–very artsy, and unusual.
When I got a camera some years later I remembered those cool Hipgnosis creations (by Storm Thorgerson) and looked for photos with similar moods and juxtapositions. A discarded door on a sidewalk, an odd reflection in a mirror, a blank sign–this lead me to produce a series titled: Wish You Were Here. Thorgerson was good at isolating odd elements in the image, much like the painter René Magritte. It was clear what you were supposed to notice, but an intended meaning was not so clear. This ambiguity can draw you in and keep you looking for a long time.
Wish You Were Here is available through Blurb Books .
Happy New Year, everyone! It’s early in January and many people are looking with optimism on the year to come. Many have made New Year’s resolutions to make improvements to their lives. A study has shown that there is a large failure rate with resolutions–about 88%, but that doesn’t stop us from giving it a try. After all, it’s better to try and fail, than not try at all.
This year I resolve to become a better listener and to ask more questions in conversation. I want a closer connection to my family and friends, and a stronger sense of belonging to the world. Also, I’ll strive to help the environment in any way I can.
Time is fleeting. For me, it’s important to document it in photos because people die, and things change. We make resolutions and hope for the best. Happy New Year.
I want to wish you all Happy Holidays and Season’s Greetings. Best Wishes to all those who follow me on social media. I hope you can kick back and enjoy the holiday season.
I’ll share a music video by the lovely Meaghan Smith–her rendition of Silver Bells. It was filmed at the skating rink in Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto, a place that is near and dear to me.
