I remember a good friend once told me that when he was growing up his mother would always photograph significant events in his family’s life. It sort of became a family joke that an important event did not take place until his mother took a picture of it. He also went on to tell me that he never saw any of these photographs but that did not matter because the action of having his mother go through the motions of creating a photograph was enough to validate the event. After my friend told me this story I immediately identified with his premise; the act of taking the photograph can have as much impact in our life as the resulting physical evidence.
As a landscape photographer I believe the activity of photography is as important as the final product. I know that I spend much more time at a given location than most casual tourists. I arrive at the location well before dawn or stay well after sunset. Most of my time is not spent in the actual act of photographing but rather looking and observing the place where I am at. I see many groups of tourists come and go during a typical photographic outing.
I believe that the visual exploration with a camera of a landscape (urban or natural) offers a deeper understanding of the land, environment, and the human/nature relationship than most people ever delve into. This exploration can offer wonderful windows into our hearts, mind and soul.
Check out Click! a project by the Smithsonian Photography Initiative about how photography changes everything.
It has been a busy fall as I continue my studies at St. Scholastica. The gallery had a tremendous turn out for our “One Special Place” exhibit, helped by the feature on Art Hounds MPR radio (thanks Julie Caruso.) Last month I completed a project in Southeast Minnesota for The Nature Conservancy a great organization that is alway a joy to work with.
This month’s newsletter includes a short article about proper histograms for printing images, and the featured workshop at the Madeline Island School of Art.
Stop by the gallery if you get the chance on your next trip up north.
Sincerely,
John Gregor
November 2011