Last images in Somerville, Mass.

Moving

In four days, on Monday, August 15, I am moving from Somerville, Mass. to Syracuse, NY. I'm moving to Syracuse to centralize making in my life by studying for an MFA in photography at Syracuse University. Since graduating from high school in May 2000, I have moved 5 times. Here's a portrait of that progression that lists my geographical locations and the numbers of years I spent there:

Helmstedt, Germany: 1
Utica, NY: 2
Brooklyn, NY: 3
Hubbardsville, NY: 1
Las Cruces, NM: 2
Somerville, Mass.: 2

I'm sad to leave Somerville, where I have learned a way of seeing and finding images in my environment that is exciting to me and doesn't feel finished yet. (In some ways, it actually feels like it is just getting started.) I'm scared, as I was when I moved to Massachusetts, that in Syracuse, my new home, I won't find anything to photograph. Deep down, I know moving and pursuing an MFA is the right choice for me and that the solution to my unease is to walk around and start making images as quickly as possible. It's the most exciting thing about being an artist, a wild freedom I cherish about the pursuit- that I cannot predict what will happen but am committed to continuing to explore, that the solution to my fear lies in making something I cannot imagine.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Today in Somerville it hailed.

When it rains or the overcast weather rolls into Somerville, Mass., I find myself taking more risks when I shoot because I doubt any of the images will be "keepers". Usually though, a couple are and the process of re-seeing my immediate environment in the less contrasty, grey light helps me find new subjects by refocusing my attention on places I previously overlooked.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Monday, August 1, 2011

I shoot most days. Moving forward I will share some images from these walks that I am happy with or wonder about but that will most likely not be included in the polished portfolio projects on my website.

Duality

I tentatively titled this project 'Coming and Going' and decided to limit myself for a little while to the use of two identical, 1", circular mirrors in each image. Structuring/finding the dialogue between the two mirrors and then the mirrors and whatever surrounds them is enough material to work with while this branch of inquiry develops.

Monochromes, shape, circles, twins, separation, boundaries, edges, trying with the images in the series to create a space for the viewer to knit together the relationship between the three primary elements (mirror 1, mirror 2, the surrounding space). Positioning the mirrors, my body, and the camera to get to the image. Moving around a lot and noticing how small changes have a large impact on what I see in the viewfinder.