Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Furcht

NudeEdward Weston1927

"There is nothing to fear but fear itself." -FDR

In sixth grade, during a video on the Great Depression, the screen locked onto Dorthea Lange's Migrant Mother, and these eight words of wisdom filled the classroom. Since that moment, this has been a favorite of mine and I try with all of the brainpower I possess to live by this statement.

So what is fear? "A distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, or pain, whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid." As human beings, we have this great mental capability (whether we're aware of it or not) to control emotion. However, we're only human and at times our minds have a tendency to slip into dark corners.As a photographer, one thought causes me trepidation. During my commute that has become seemingly longer over the past few weeks, my mind is left to wander. Ask yourself, what could possibly be the worst thing that could happen to one whose passion lay in images? A true tragedy it would be should one finding ecstasy in tricks of light, the contrast of the world, find themselves in complete darkness. A harrowing thought it is.This thought has crossed my mind several times lately, after first presenting itself in a Modern Art reference book two weeks ago. Paul Strand's Blind Woman (below)stared up at me, an ironic and thoroughly interesting subject he chose, might I add.

Blind WomanPaul Strand
1916

There is an image hanging on a wall of the darkroom in which I admire immensely. It is titled Nude 1927 and was shot by Edward Weston. After further inquiry about Weston, I discovered that he had lived my fear; in 1946 he was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease. No, he was not blind, but how do you load, shoot, judge, develop when you have increasingly limited control over your movements? He shot his last photo in 1948 of Point Lobos.

I start with no preconceived idea - discovery excites me to focus - then rediscovery through the lens - final form of presentation seen on ground glass, the finished print previsioned completely in every detail of texture, movement, proportion, before exposure - the shutter's release automatically and finally fixes my conception, allowing no after manipulation - the ultimate end, the print, is but a duplication of all that I saw and felt through my camera. -Edward Weston

Just something to think about, folks. Though I've found my passion, perhaps you have no idea. It's probably a good idea to analyze your greatest fears. What would you be absolutely lost without? Ponder, and have a good one.