Unbelievable! I’m so grateful for days like today. I really am. All of my photographs in this flora series are constructed. I have figure out what I’m going to do and why. I have thoughts and ideas, usually on our walks in the mornings, about what kind of photograph I want to make. What photograph best describes, literally or conceptually, the story I’m telling. All of these are constructed from live plants and other objects and materials relevant to the work. I’ve figured out this direct color positive process: what time of day is best (quality and color of light), what processing times are best, etc etc. I can get exactly what I want with it. The control is wonderful!
Days like today, where I see the image exactly the way I want it in my mind and it appears exactly like that in the darkroom. They are rare days, but wonderful when they happen. These are examples of what I’m talking about. I wasn’t going to share them, but I decided I had to in hopes of encouraging anyone struggling with making work that means something to you. Keep going! Keep making photographs—try new things, new light, a new process. Find what works by actually doing it!
