We look at so many photographs on the web, on the backs of our little digicams or phones and in print. Some minimal fraction of those images surprise us because the photographer has shown us a subject we’ve never seen before; or shown us a familiar subject in some unfamiliar way; or has managed to harmoniously arrange, within the square or rectangular frame, all the visual elements of photography (the rendering of light, color or mono-tonality, the composition of form, shape, line) while representing a compelling subject or event.
Photography, by its very nature, takes an infinitesimal slice out of infinite time and space; whether we expose for 1/10,000th of a second or 1/24th of a day; whether we fill the frame with a view of our own planet or the head of a beetle. Why do images made with a lens fascinate us so? Why do some of us spend decades searching for yet another two dimensional “view” of our three dimensional world?
(click image for larger view)
Leica R8/DMR, 65 mm Elmar on R Bellows
Why did I make this photograph? Because: I really enjoy the process; the looking hard; the hands and eyes on equipment; the light; the variations; the post processing; and finally — the simple pleasure of looking at the image — that extremely thin slice — allowing my eyes to roam around it. For me this image has qualities akin to a beautiful charcoal drawing. It’s also very personal. I’ve thought about photographing this, or similar event, for years. Yesterday, when I finally attempted to capture some of those thoughts, it didn’t go at all as imagined. The photograph I had in my mind did not appear. That idea served only as a catalyst to work — to arrive at this unimagined photograph. While working I enjoyed memories of reading Edward Weston’s day books; and how he chose and worked with his pepper; finally placing it in a tin funnel to arrive at the final, iconic photograph.