Like a family recipe, I’ve honed in on my image making process. I use the same process no matter what camera or style I’m shooting in. This helps to limit my decisions in the field and ground my concepts / themes with a visual consistency.
How to make art:
Work in portfolio format, building a narrative through single images.
Carefully choose a process that resonates with the concept. Never use process for process sake. For “A Mirror / A Window,” I’m using a traditional 4x5 black and white capture and silver gelatin output. This was chosen for its emphasis on craft and tries to create a point of agreement with the viewer from the outset.
Find a subject matter that ties to a personal memory.
…I was maybe 5 years old at K-mart hiding from my mom in between a rack of clothes drinking an icee my older sister found in the store; pretty sure she put me up to this for the laugh; ahh older siblings.
Use a tripod, straighten the horizon, then clean the composition of anything that does not add to the narrative; especially cars.
Compose using Sugimoto / Elmore Morgan jr balance. Hiroshima Sugimoto is basically my Elvis, I love his simple compositions and have incorporated this subtly into my practice for years.
Depending on process add either drama with deep black or even subtle pastel light.
Stop down, set the timer and expose.