The PRC

I was thankful to be able to work at the Photographic Resource Center for a few months during the Spring. The PRC is a great little gem of a gallery that you would pass by and not even notice, if you were in a hurry. But the PRC does so many wonderful things, and when I was a part of their photo auction in October, I got to meet a lot of big time photographers that live and work in Boston. They also have great gallery shows, fun programs, and lots of great information.

Currently they have a show up about time called "Keeping Time". It's really a wonderful show and worth taking a trip to go check it out.

Their website is at http://www.bu.edu/prc/

The above photo is in the show and is by Sharon Harper. There is a website about her at http://www.ves.fas.harvard.edu/harper.html

Sally Mann was missed

So this past Thursday at the MFA Sally Mann gave a talk about her work. I got tickets for it wayyyy back in the summer hoping to go see her, and perhaps get the chance to talk with her. She is from Lexington Virginia which is about 20 min from my home in Virginia; and I had hoped to talk to her about how she was able to succeed in a place that is so small. (Not to mention the fact that if I were to ever move back, I might have that connection.)

But unfortunately fate stepped in. Or rather I should say, I stepped wrong, and now have a neuroma in my foot. A neuroma is basically a very angry and inflamed little pinched nerve that has me now hopping around like some sort of rabbit and making me have to lay on the couch and keep my foot elevated. I feel like a slug.

I now have to have crutches, as well as shots and maybe even surgery....let's pray not.

But what I am most sad about is missing out on the chance to meet someone that I admire, and who I might just have something in common with. Even if its just location and photography.

Oh well.

I guess I can still look at her new work "Deep South" and really dream of being home. (The picture below is an image Raphine, not far from where I used to live.)

Honky Tonk Photography

The first year that I was in Boston was probably the best year I was in school. Everything seemed so new and exciting. I got the chance to see Henry Hornstein's show his work, "Honky Tonk" at BU. Being from the south, it made me feel at home in a very VERY northern atmosphere. Plus it made me think, "Why in the world did I come here, when there is so many interesting subjects at home?"

I bought two of his books, his Honky Tonk book and his book on Black and White Photography. He wrote "Remember expose for the shadows!" in the Black and white book, and "To Bonnie: The Honky Tonk Girl" in his other!

California and Ansel Adams

This past summer I was able to go to northern California with the family. We went the regular sorts of places like San Fran, Big Sur, to see the Redwoods...but the place that we stayed the longest it seemed was Yosemite. While we were there we stayed in a huge tent, where we all were able to sleep together. We also of course hiked quite a few times, (one day for about 8 hrs!) and got a chance to see the beautiful waterfalls, in all their glory.

While we were there I got the pleasure of seeing Ansel Adams actual printed work at the Yosemite gallery. I have always admired his work, but actually seeing them printed made me appreciate them more. Plus when I was able to watch a small video about his life, I realized that he just seemed like the kind of guy you'd love to hang out with.

After feeling in quite a slump photographically after school, seeing his work really inspired me and made me take quite a few images while we were there. Unfortunately most of my film got exposed (GAH!) but I would love to go back someday, and just soak in all the possible photographs.

Below is an inspired image I took of William in the tent where we stayed for 3 days.

In the Most Unexpected Places

My huband and I went to the Arboretum during their Fall festival, and defiantely enjoyed the food, music and environment recently. We were walking around the tents looking at all the exhibits about apples, and how to plants certain things in certain places, and all that jazz, when we picked up the most recent "Edible Boston". Although he was interested in it for the articles about cooking and local foods, I couldn't take my eyes off the photos.


The photographer Michael Piazza just has this way of making the most mondane things, very beautiful and interesting. I think I still have the issue laying around here somewhere.

Plus he also seems super DUPER nice, which is always a plus. I hope that in the future I can learn a little from him about his photography and inspirations. To visit either go to....

http://www.michaelpiazzaphotography.com/ for Michael's work

Or...

http://www.edibleboston.net/content/ for Edible Boston's website.

Who inspires who?

After talking with Jocelyn Mathewes online about her work, I was interesting to know who had inspired her. Her response was, "I can think back in college to seeing Duane Michaels' work and thinking, "Wow, that guy knows how to say something with his work." He struck me as thinking outside the box in an artistic sense."
I remember thinking the same thing in my Photo History class when I saw his work. Looking at her work of the "Holga Triptychs" and at some of his work, I can see how he has influenced her. Even though the camera work may be different, some of the images have the same type of feel. Its very cool to see. (Duane Micheals is above, Jocelyn's below.)

Talk About Getting that Photo

Margaret Burke-White was as adventurous as I always wished to be. An image of her getting that photo up top!

She also met people that I wished I could have met. Her image of Gandhi, image below.

Christopher James

Most people can understand how teachers inspire, or can be your worst nightmare. I've everything had under the sun when it came to teachers. College was great for me, and I learned a lot. I met a lot of great people, but if I think of my overall college experience.....well I wouldn't call it paradise. But we can talk about all that another time.

One of the few shining moments however, was when I took a class with Christopher James. One of the best classes that I had the WHOLE time I was in school was when Christopher had a class where he talked about his work and showed us some of his images, and the stories behind them. My personal favorites were his stories about India, and the people he met there.

The image that I think inspired me later on in my own work later on (perhaps in the back of my mind somewhere) was the one of the "Dying man" a man at the moment of death (Above). The image seemed more real to me then most I had seen all through school. It had has this sort of otherworldly feel to it. He worked with the smoke to give it that otherworldly feel, and I hope that I was also able to do it when I was taking photographs of my Dad a couple of years later. (The color to the right).

You can see his other work at www.christopherjames-studio.com

Jocelyn Mathewes

I was sent Jocelyn's website from a person a church when I was struggling in school to try and figure out how to include my love for the church and photography, without being too.....how to say....pushy? Jocelyn is Orthodox and has found a way, very simply and beautifully, to be able to do both without compromising either. Its very lovely in an understated way. Her "Women with Icons" is special to me. Definately worth checking out....

http://www.jocelynmathewes.com/index.php

Griffin Photography Museum

Some of the nicest people I've ever met. I wished that I lived closer so that I could work there all the time! The little museum feels like home, warm, hard wood floors, log cabin kind of feel. They have the best photography exhibits, without the snob appeal. It's in Winchester MA, and is worth the drive.

http://www.griffinmuseum.org/

Porter Gifford

I may have been their nanny, but on slow days I got to ask a lot of good photo questions from Porter, so I got a lot of good advice......

He sent me this link to his new halloween work, and its lovely! I like the new music that he's put to this and his baseball set. http://portergifford.com/public/halloween/ http://portergifford.com/public/baseball/

Plus his work is very good! So check it out!

http://www.portergifford.com/

Traveling Photography 2

Traveling Photography

Dorothea Lange's way of traveling photography. Anyone want to take a trip and just photograph?

My beginning in Photography

So although I have other blogs and I highly doubt anyone might read this, I'm going to focus on photography or anything that might interest me. I hope to keep my general thoughts to a minimum, since I tend to ramble.

So here you go!

The reason that I began photography Dorothea Lange's "Migrant Worker"