“To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place … I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.” – Elliott Erwitt

Going back multiple years, I’ve noticed a great number of photographs I’ve taken are all about spaces, and especially how shadows and lines interact with those spaces. I’ve always been aware how I’m always attracted to the way light creates dark contours, whether the silhouettes fall on buildings, a chair, the sidewalk, or the walls in my home. I think that’s the key to why I love photographing interesting buildings — they always have or throw deep and interesting shadows.

Strathcona Hotel with shadows of Elm Trees in Edmonton, Alberta
shadows on my wall
Oyster Bar in Gibsons, BC

“Shadows sculpt light, they give it its boundaries and its shape … Shadow is what holds light in its place and helps us to see it.” – Sean Tucker

Something else I’ve been contemplating lately is facing my fear — fear of photographing strangers. I’m planning to embark upon a year long photo project that will take me to those fears and walk all over them (the fears that is — not the people!!). The idea is to incorporate both photographing strangers plus the spaces and shadows in one undertaking without (hopefully) allowing one to overtake the other.

Cumberland, BC
market in Italy
Three Friends, morning walk, Sidney BC

A photographer whose work I admire, Sean Tucker, has some interesting video discussions on YouTube that have really motivated me to move forward with a new photography venture. The other photographer whose work I admire, and whose Ted Talk has inspired me, Martin Bond Photography for his Cambridge Diary photographs. The third in the trio of inspirational photographers is the work of Fan Ho which goes back to the 1950’s and ’60’s and always mesmerizes me.

Something else that I have observed is how cinematographers are so adept at projecting mood or causing the viewer to pause and wonder. They do that with shadow. Photographers often feel like we’ve lost detail by having too much shadow. My view on shadows and their presence in my photos has transformed. I’m intending to begin embracing shadow, similar to the way cinematographers utilize them in the movies. They often use silhouettes, darkened rooms or faces, with light simply kissing or framing the most important features.

As I move ahead with this project (which I will commence October 1st), as with anything new, there are bound to be plenty of mis-steps, images that fall flat, and other as-yet unknown mistakes to learn by. The pandemic and all the extra time it has afforded me, makes me realize I need to keep evolving with my photography, even if what I experiment with isn’t necessarily appreciated by everyone.

Although I do plan to include some of my project images here, I’m still debating which venue to utilize for ‘showcasing’ my journey. Some photographers use Instagram, some use Facebook, and others use Flickr. Flickr is by far my favourite space because of the friendly community I’ve come to know since 2006. But it may not be the ideal spot for posting my project images. I find Instagram very archaic in its use. And, although I strongly dislike Facebook for various reasons, if using the “Group” or “Page” options, I won’t have to be bombarded with memes and fake news, so it does remain one of my possibilities.

Workmen on a break, Rhodes, Greece
cleaning fish, Rhodes, Greece

So, that’s what is new for me. I hope you will choose to follow me as I take this year-long journey, one click-at-a-time.

taken in the first week of a different ‘new’ adventure

I thought the most beautiful thing in the world must be shadow.” — said Sylvia Plath.

4 thoughts on “My upcoming project: shadows and streets”

  1. I love these. One of my sons lives with his family in Strathcona and I’ve noticed exactly the detail on that handsome old hotel while walking on Whyte Ave.

  2. Excellent examples of shadow dancing across these facades! The street photography, which I tend to shy away from, is full of life and colorful. Thank you for introducing us to these photographers and their links.

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