This week I have spent much of my time with the camera rephotographing old pictures of Skye. Although I enjoy doing this, as a historical and technical exercise, the style and aesthetic of this type of photography does not really appeal to me. I think this is because in re-producing someone else’s images I have less opportunity to be creative and to capture the world in the way I see it and wish to represent it.

At the end of Informing Contexts I took some colour seascape images. I quite liked them, although my tutor felt that the technique of intentional camera movement had been done before. These are some examples of those images that are currently being exhibited on the Isle of Skye at Gallery An Talla Dearg:

I received some very strong feedback from peers and fellow photographers at the time so thought, in the spirit of being experimental, I should try taking some more. While I started with quite subtle movements and a shutter speed of 1/8 of a second I found that I was not really capturing the essence of Skye that I am after. I tried different movements – horizontal, diagonal and up and down. Then I experimented with quicker movements and ones reflecting the topology of the scene. These are some examples that I have not yet processed:

I think these more recent examples are more successful and do convey some of the turbulence, dramatic light and shade and spirit of Skye.

As I was reviewing these images I was reminded of the words of a Neil Diamond song Be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKZQTXY3ZnA:

“Lost

On a painted sky

Where the clouds are hung

For the poet’s eye

You may find him

If you may find him

There

On a distant shore

By the wings of dreams

Though an open door

You may know him

If you may . . .”

For me, these words captured what I am trying to achieve. I now plan to go out with my camera again before leaving Skye, listening to Neil Diamond, to see if I can perfect my technique and my intentions.

As I have said many times before, I am not trying to produce a literal representation, I am after the essence – literal representations of the Island are everywhere – produced in a postcard vernacular. These literal images and this aesthetic dominate and inhibit the revelation of the essence of this beautiful place through photography.   This is why I am trying something different.

This is work in progress so please do let me know which images you particularly like or dislike.  Feedback is always welcome.

 

References

Diamond, N. 1973. Be. From the album Jonathan Livingston Seagull