The Copyist

In 1969, I was given what is now an out-of-print, cult volume published by the Sierra Club and Ballantine Books (1967) titled On the Loose, by Terry and Renny Russell.  These brothers took the ultimate trip of self-discovery around the Sierras and western United States in 1964.  Despite the fact the resulting book looks very 60s and "peace, love, dove" in nature, it remains a treasure and an environmental treatise of its time.  Terry died as a result of a rafting accident in June 1965, shortly after bringing the manuscript to the Sierra Club offices.

One of the wonderful features of the book is the use of quotations from a wide variety of sources, and the one bit that has resonated with me throughout the years is "After the first Artist, only the copyist."  This may well be paraphrased from a number of sources (the Bible included) but like the spontaneously generated flatbread, the quote is universally infinite in its interpretation.

I admit it.  As a photographer, I am a copyist.  In response to a comment and request (thank you, TTT), I am including several of my most recent "copies" in today's blog.  I absolutely love the way sculptor Craig Dan Goseyun has created action in his Apache Mountain Spirit Dancer.

On the verso of the On the Loose title page is the statement "The photographs in this book are of the lowest fidelity obtainable.  They are as far from the photographer's vision as cheap cameras, mediocre film, and drugstore processing could make them."  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image

Eye dazzler

When I look at a building or architectural element in detail, I frequently wonder about the intention of the architect or designer.  Did he or she consider how the sun would fall on the structure, creating a constant interplay of light and shadow?  My husband, an architect, assures me that they do.  Current wisdom and knowledge of Stonehenge and the Sun Dagger on Fajada Butte at Chaco Canyon reflect the knowledge of and changes in sun angle throughout the year.  Is it also true of a ramada or sun shade design?

Fellow photographer Steve Immel and I recently spent a day photographing several parts of Santa Fe, including Museum Hill.  I had not been there for roughly fifteen years, and seeing it again, as if it were the first time, I must compliment everyone who was involved in the design and construction process.  A great deal of thought was put into the design of each building, and in connecting the various museums, providing landscaping and seating in both sun and shade.  Our mid-morning visit was littered with eye-dazzling light and shadow, courtesy of ramadas in the courtyard.

The joinery between the stuccoed pillar and beams in the photograph below almost looks Mayan to me.

A stunning bronze titled "Apache Mountain Spirit Dancer" by Craig Dan Goseyun, draws your eye in for so many different reasons.  Here is a close up of the dancer's skirt, composed of pieces of extruded metal which create flowing shadows of their own.

As spring progresses, shadows are changing, and the sun is moving at its fastest pace of the season.  A reminder to myself and fellow photographers that an early start in the morning, a break at midday, and more shooting late in afternoon and evening is the best shooting schedule.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image