Last night’s writing prompt was to write for 10 minutes straight about a prominent place in your life identifying all senses. The intention was to prepare for today’s photo shoot.
When asked to think of a prominent place, mine is not necessarily a specific location but a specific element - water. Primarily lakes but I am open to seas as well (they can do the trick in a pinch). But the thing about a lake is the calmness of the water, the beauty of its stillness - small ripples or sometimes “glass” - as my waterskiing friends like to call it.
The more I know myself, the more I know how the water calls to me and asks me to take notice. One of my favorite things to look at is when the sun casts sparkles on the lake outside my living room window. I take every chance I get to make the rest of my family appreciate it too. That’s usually an early morning phenomenon. Or how about when the sun sets over the lake and all of its deep greens and blues are brought to life?
How about its ability to bring relief to every part it touches - little by little - or all in one giant splash? Not to mention, the weightlessness of floating, gently rocking from side to side. The water making space and cradling you at the same time.
And that earthy smell- somewhere between mud and rain and trees and fish.
I have been a swimmer all my life and there is true accomplishment in the triumph of swimming across the lake. Maybe I’m not the fastest to cross but who cares? I did it! Again and again! So disappointed to miss that opportunity this year. But I’ll be back.
The first part of the shoot was to walk the grounds of the farm to collect imagery that we will later use and print for encaustic collage. I feel right at home photographing nature and hobbled through.
The second part was to photograph a female model in nature. She was lovely and had amazing costumes that we could dress her in and direct her how to pose. This is not my element. I wanted to feel inspired but I had a hard time wrapping my head around why I would take pictures of a girl who I don’t know and share no connection with. I sheepishly mentioned to another student that maybe I’d ask someone to take photos of me since, well, I know me and certainly share a connection with me. And instead of a costume, I could wear my Grandmother’s house coat that I currently use as a smock.
She said, “I’ll do it! Who gives a $#I#” - and we were off!
