I see. As I mentioned, seeing more of the images in the project could answer my questions. And in looking on a larger screen I may see the elements of water better. To your larger question, I completely empathize with you on feeling lost (my word) in the project. There is no guarantee that you will find clarity with more photo shooting, but it's likely that you will remain lost if you stop shooting now. A "click" Will happen with more work, is my belief, and you will find a selection and a sequence that works.
i love the photos but i think you are looking at the whole thing from the wrong angle. as humans we always go back to the same question: what is more important - the destination, the journey? to me you are on the journey now and the most important is that you are enjoying it. so keep enjoy the journey and don't worry about destination, time for that will come.
I have taken up photography in the last 15 months and my mindset on it is evolving quickly. I've settled into experimental / abstract photography with some sense of it being about the inherent uncertainty of things from the imagery perspective but sensing a bigger lesson from the photographic mindset and process...which I've started to put to words.
Keep at it and you'll find which direction to take. As Perfectlight says, maybe it's the journey that matters or maybe you need to take a break from it to find it's purpose. Either way, I like the black and white treatment of these pictures.
Fantastic photos, Marcel! The last one, of the horse, and the third one from the bottom are stunners.
Looking forward to the finished product. Eat your breakfast, skip lunch, and do light walking at least 15 minutes a day. The rest will take care of itself.
"I really like this project and I love to go out and take pictures" Maybe that's just it? Maybe this says more about you (as photographer / somebody who loves to explore this part of the world) than it's about the Betuwe. Idk, just rambling here ;-) Maybe you'll find out ... eventually.
I sometimes think it's best not to have too clear of an idea or a vision or what to say. Sometimes there is more power in an impression, a fragmented vision, a stuttering word.
Well done photos. Is see abandonment and/or death in some and life in others. One poet I follow talks about ‘obeying the emerging form’. Keep going with what your heart tells you to do and it will come. I look forward to seeing more.
It seems from these few photos from your project, you are straying from a documentation of your relationship with water, which you mention in your intro. The car, the building structure, the sofas/furniture. How do those fit into that theme? Or is your theme now evolving away from the water and specific to the lands? .The title "Riverlands" seems appropriate, if the projects in fact explores not the relationship of you with water, but with the lands between the rivers as you say.
Just my initial thoughts. Your next newsletter may answer my questions.
I love these. I think it's fine that themes are not revealing themselves at this stage. Or even if you never manage to come up with a central narrative or collection of themes. You may look back at them years later and realize something that was hiding in plain sight, or you may not. It doesn't diminish the value of the work.
Love the photographs Marcel. I like the point that sometimes we don't know where we are going with a particular series or a set of photos. We just keep at it...
What a fascinating idea, to present the evolution like this! I can't wait to see how it unfolds. I've certainly had the same experience, and I'm wrestling a little bit with two projects as we speak.
I see. As I mentioned, seeing more of the images in the project could answer my questions. And in looking on a larger screen I may see the elements of water better. To your larger question, I completely empathize with you on feeling lost (my word) in the project. There is no guarantee that you will find clarity with more photo shooting, but it's likely that you will remain lost if you stop shooting now. A "click" Will happen with more work, is my belief, and you will find a selection and a sequence that works.
i love the photos but i think you are looking at the whole thing from the wrong angle. as humans we always go back to the same question: what is more important - the destination, the journey? to me you are on the journey now and the most important is that you are enjoying it. so keep enjoy the journey and don't worry about destination, time for that will come.
Love it and now subscribing!
I have taken up photography in the last 15 months and my mindset on it is evolving quickly. I've settled into experimental / abstract photography with some sense of it being about the inherent uncertainty of things from the imagery perspective but sensing a bigger lesson from the photographic mindset and process...which I've started to put to words.
I look forward to following your journey.
The imagery is very moving.
The work bears some resemblance to Robert Adams shooting Colorado farmland. Studying his work might provide some insights for you.
Keep at it and you'll find which direction to take. As Perfectlight says, maybe it's the journey that matters or maybe you need to take a break from it to find it's purpose. Either way, I like the black and white treatment of these pictures.
Fantastic photos, Marcel! The last one, of the horse, and the third one from the bottom are stunners.
Looking forward to the finished product. Eat your breakfast, skip lunch, and do light walking at least 15 minutes a day. The rest will take care of itself.
"I really like this project and I love to go out and take pictures" Maybe that's just it? Maybe this says more about you (as photographer / somebody who loves to explore this part of the world) than it's about the Betuwe. Idk, just rambling here ;-) Maybe you'll find out ... eventually.
You have some nice images there to work with.
I sometimes think it's best not to have too clear of an idea or a vision or what to say. Sometimes there is more power in an impression, a fragmented vision, a stuttering word.
Well done photos. Is see abandonment and/or death in some and life in others. One poet I follow talks about ‘obeying the emerging form’. Keep going with what your heart tells you to do and it will come. I look forward to seeing more.
It seems from these few photos from your project, you are straying from a documentation of your relationship with water, which you mention in your intro. The car, the building structure, the sofas/furniture. How do those fit into that theme? Or is your theme now evolving away from the water and specific to the lands? .The title "Riverlands" seems appropriate, if the projects in fact explores not the relationship of you with water, but with the lands between the rivers as you say.
Just my initial thoughts. Your next newsletter may answer my questions.
I love these. I think it's fine that themes are not revealing themselves at this stage. Or even if you never manage to come up with a central narrative or collection of themes. You may look back at them years later and realize something that was hiding in plain sight, or you may not. It doesn't diminish the value of the work.
It will be interesting to observe how you navigate this process. Thanks for sharing.
Fascinating imagery - love the depths of noir
great document!
Love the photographs Marcel. I like the point that sometimes we don't know where we are going with a particular series or a set of photos. We just keep at it...
What a fascinating idea, to present the evolution like this! I can't wait to see how it unfolds. I've certainly had the same experience, and I'm wrestling a little bit with two projects as we speak.