Expressions from the same place

It is good to have an opportunity to appreciate of one's work. In the exhibition currently at Voila Gallery (www.voila-art.com) in Wickford. I am witness to a turning point I have sought to achieve for many moons. I see a balance between the quiet reflective works and the "I am fascinated by the place image"; the source is consistent. It is my personal vision.

 

Once upon a time there was a question debated, is the camera making the experience for me, or is the experience itself the objective. When I made "Sunrise through the Pilings", there was something compelling, but there were also distractions begging to be included into the frame. What makes this image so important to me, was that I did not look for the answer within the frame, the image was the in the appreciation of just being there.

 

So with this experience near at hand, that we embark on the Profundo Journeys Hungary/Austria photography workshop. This trip has been many months in planning, from the travel logistics to the lessons prepared. There is something intriguing to me about this part of the world, and I am hoping to return with many images reflecting this spirituality. I hope to post images on facebook, so stay tuned!

Musings, March 2012

March 2012

Yesterday, as I updated my facebook timeline, and invited everyone in my address book to visit my Cindy Wilson Photography page, I realize that I too have an obligation to be more present with my posts. I really enjoy writing, and I take photos all the time, but it is the putting myself out there on a consistent basis that makes me feel a wee bit vulnerable. After all, what if I stall? What if I write something of great import to me, and find it falls flat in the public arena. No matter, like photographing every day, posting becomes easier with practice, so here goes.

One idea I've been exploring is the idea of total intuition, making an image before the rationalizing of the subject begins.

This image, which is exhibited at the Photography Annual show at South County Art Association, was an afterthought. Actually, it was my first impression, but I did not make the image until the very end. I kept trying to visualize and make grander things that were contrived, to achieve perfection where it didn't exist. Finally I let myself come back to this reflection of an explosion of branches on a mist shrouded pond. Originally in color, I found the graphic qualities much more engaging than the color, so here is the black and white intuitive reflection on Bellville Pond.

 

It is from teaching that basic tenets of image making refuse to go away.  Another idea I have been exploring is the practice of breaking out of my tendency for deep depth of field in landscape. I have always had deep fascination for places of nostalgia; old mills, faded advertisements, subjects with a story to tell.

In this image, from Sakonnet Point, I am immersed the timelessness of a traditional New England fishing port. I loved the faded color and texture of the latched door, and the boat puts the door in context, gives it an identity. But what additionally makes the image significant to me is the shallow depth of field; the boat doesn't need to be in focus to be recognized.  The two planes of interest, the warm wooden door, and the cool harbor in the distance are treated differently, yet come together to make a dynamic whole. I am grateful for the opportunity to teach, which gives me the excuse to reap the rewards in the foundations of photography.

There's no Place like Home

   
After exploratory trips to Hungary and Ireland this fall, experiencing the excitement of new lands and cultures, planning the details of both travel photography workshops (www.profundojourneys.com) there is no place like home. 

  I have turned my camera to our local landscape, which has been the beneficiary of mild weather and beautiful light this fall. So often I take for granted the beauty in the familiar; we who live in Southern RI have incredible riches within a moment's travel. I have many opportunities to be out with my camera, but it is always the early morning and late afternoon that resonate.  

  One of my favorites has always been morning fog, but I also am captivated the painterly qualities of late afternoon light and by reflection on the surface of water. 

   There is no feeling like being an audience to the splendor of light in nature. It is all around me here in Rhode Island.  Each day has something unique; often the best images come after I turn away from a scene and look back one last time, with a fresh eye.

 

New opportunites and discovery

I am getting ready for our 2^nd Profundo Journeys Autumn Light photography workshop & retreat, this year in Jefferson NH. I am very excited about the photo prospects of spending five days immersed in what promises to be a glorious fall display. Together with six students, Eileen Muldoon and I head to the White Mountains to explore landscape light and form in this natural and pristine pristine setting.

One of my personal assignments for the workshop is to talk about form in photography. Form is an aspect of image making I have becoming more conscious of, but has always been intuitively in my work. So, to speak about it as an educator has me thinking about it as subject. 

Coincidentally enough, my work has been moving in this direction. As I survey the recent images that have the most impact, they are all about form. Some of these images are also represented in the Member's Invitational show at the South County Art Association. Thursday, September 29 through October 22, 2011.

In the fall of 2012, Profundo Journeys heads to Ireland. Since Eileen and I are not only instructors, but also tour advisors, it was necessary to make a trip to plan the trip. Thus, the second week of September found us in Ireland on a whirlwind tour of possible sites for photographing, lodging and experiencing the culture of the Irish. With all of our research in hand, we are now in the process of planning the itinerary for this two week photography workshop.

In November, we travel to Hungary, Slovenia and Austria for the same planning. This upcoming workshop is April 27-May 10 2012. We are extremely fortunate to have but one seat left for this journey to a mysterious, profound part of the world. Look for images to follow on our website at www.profundojourneys.com.

Recently, I have had the opportunity to not only engage with students in private lessons, but also have been offered the opportunity to teach at the South County Art Association. This class in Basic Digital Photography begins October 6 and runs for 6 weeks. Please contact the SCAA at 401-783-2195 for further information. The class will include instruction about camera settings, exposure and composition. We will also be photographing in the field for one class, to put all those new concepts into practice.

With 22 years of exhibiting artist membership, I have been honored as the Wickford Art Association artist of the month for October. I have been a member of Wickford for 22 years, have exhibited in the Wickford Art Festival for 18 years and am a past President and board member. Gallery director Sarah Tallerico conducted a skillful interview that will be on the Art Association web site in October http://www.wickfordart.org. 

Finally, a family photo that is dear to my heart. Here is Ram Band sophomore son/Uncle Jack with his first niece Emily after the URI football game Saturday September 24^th. What incredible good fortune we have in life!

 

 

 

Summer Magic

         Summer has always been an incredibly busy time for me professionally. In addition to the weddings, portraits, boat photographs; I also try to keep my personal work alive.  My revised website www.cindywilsonphoto.com highlights all of my endeavors.

         Our family is blessed with the birth of Emily Lourdes Wilson. She has become a favorite subject as I follow her growth in photographs. I enjoy most the intimacy of available light in our weekly portrait sessions.

         Family and senior portraiture has become a mainstay of my summer photographic activity. I allow more light, spontaneity and compositional awareness than ever before in my family portraits. This most definitely parallels the growth I am experiencing in my personal work.

         What better way to prepare for the wedding of a daughter than by having 20 years of professional wedding experience? Kate and Ben were married on July 22 and together with my friend and colleague Matt Ellsworth (www.ellsworthphotography.com) we captured the day in over 1500 images!

        

         This year, my artwork has been a priority, and I can feel my work change as my awareness intensifies. The lessons learned in the Death Valley Contemplative Landscape workshop with George de Wolf February 2011, are truly making an impact, now 6 months later. I find myself drawn to form and light as never before; I feel in my landscapes the same intimacy as in my closer more abstracted work. It is exciting again to be photographing especially by the water. The infinite changes and reflections of the surface give rise to the magic of seeing old friends in new light. 

         Finally, the summer has been filled with the planning of our regional and international travel workshops. Eileen Muldoon (http://www.imageloftphoto.com) and I, partners in Profundo Journeys Photography Workshops, have been alternatively working on itineraries for Hungary and Austria in April/May 2012, and Ireland in September of 2012. In October, we travel to Jefferson, NH for five days to experience the joys of Autumn Light in New Hampshire. This area, once a highly recognized summer resort in the White Mountains is home to waterfalls, mountain trails, traditional dairy farms. Add the vibrancy of New England foliage to the mix, and it is a photographer’s paradise. Eileen and I have space for eight students in this workshop, and it promises to be an incredible opportunity to grow artistically with fellow photographers.We have posted information on these trips on our website: www.profundojourneys.com.

         It is my good fortune to be living three passions rolled into one path; the research and travel aspect of the workshops, the teaching and sharing of knowledge, and in following my true path to photograph in new and intriguing locations.

This weekend I will be participating in my 18^th Wickford Art festival. My booth is right in front of the  former Wilson Scott Galleries at 14 Main Street, #235. The cover of the festival brochure is “Channel Fog”, one of my most favorite pieces.

Optimism for the show is high. I look forward talking about photography, travel and personal vision as well as publicizing the upcoming Profundo Journeys photography workshops to New Hampshire and Hungary.

What generates the excitement this year? I will be showing work that is going in a direction I have been moving towards for a few years now as if by osmosis.

The study of light is still important as if a distant shoreline, but now the flow of my photography has been to look closer and closer. I am all about being more aware of the renewed world around me as if another door has opened.

What are the characteristics of this newness? Light , water, form and stillness; there is an intuitiveness whose deep connection results in clicking the shutter; the world is mirror that reflects the stillness in my soul. This makes it self more apparent everyday and it is very exciting to be standing by the water practicing eternity. A couple of examples are posted here; “Red Pelican Reflection” and “Coot”. Come by for a visit. Saturday & Sunday July 9 & 10.

 

Comfort Zone

For the upcoming Art League of Rhode Island show (Portsmouth Arts Guild July 14-August 14, 2011) “Comfort Zone” I have decided to go to my comfort zone; which is the study of light and stillness in the landscape. These images are reverent, reflective and intuitive. They are about the contrast of the hand of man, serenity, and the power of nature.

Additionally, in preparation for the Wickford Art Festival (Wickford RI, July 9 & 10, 2011), there is always the temptation to show what has sold in the past. I love my treasure chest of proven sellers; lighthouses, sunsets and Block Island images. This year, I will display images to which there is the flow of vision through many years of photographing. On the surface, they have different subject matter, but they all spring from the same well.