Embracing Ignorance Through Photography and Curiosity

Yesterday, I found myself in a slaughter-house cooler, maneuvering among hanging hog and beef carcasses. The suspended meat was on a rail system where workers could move them around, as needed. I made a few exposure and felt rather comfortable as I remembered that it was 98 degrees outside.

I was on the road for Sidetracked: Travels Across Undiscovered Florida. Ask anyone in these parts, "Where's the beef (or, pork)?" and you probably will be directed to Braddock's Slaughter-house. Here, everyone is family or thought of as family. Friendly and knowledgeable, I learned quite a bit during my session. This wasn't difficult as everything I knew about steak and pork tenderloins was that they were neatly packaged at the local grocery ready for me to buy. There was a lot to discover.

There is a difference between a butcher and meat cutter. Who knew?

I listened to stories while pork chops, sausage and beef steaks were being cut. While Audie, the meat cutter, had all ten fingers, you did not want to distract him from his job.

There was a use for the "ticker, licker and the fly swatter." You figure it out.

Having a genuine curiosity about other people's stories is like the basics of photographic composition. Explore the subject from every angle and look for the details — curiosity leads to new discoveries and that's what a meaningful life is all about.

Changing Lenses and Changing Perspectives

I was invited by The Barberville Pioneer Settlement to participate in their Celebration of Old Florida event by demonstrating the traditions of photography. I enjoy these events because it allows me to talk about the 4 x 5 large format view camera and the use of film/analog in today's digital-dominating technology.

I set up the 4 x 5 and made a few selected photographs of passers-by using the film camera exclusively. Not once did I use a digital camera and show the subjects the resulting image on the camera's preview screen.  It didn't pre-visualize the composition using the digital camera — it was all or nothing with the 4 x 5.

What made this event and photo opportunity so memorable, besides meeting a diverse crowd interested in history, was that I decided to create images a little different than my usual approach. Typically, I utilize an environmental portrait approach to create photographs of people. I show the surroundings as they relate to the individual. I was curious to see if I could create meaningful images by focusing on faces.

To do so, I would need to change my lens and work close to the subject's face. This isn't easy to do because the 4 x 5 is intimidating, even when working at a distance. Have a large camera only a few inches from the subject's face feels like a major personal space violation.

I also needed to address the issue of depth-of-field at that close of a distance — there wasn't much. I had to carefully focus on the eyes and hope the subjects remained very still.

By expanding my curiosity to change lenses, it changed my perspective. As all people do, I get comfortable with what I know best, even when there may be a better way. Changing perspectives leads to creativity and thinking something different and that can make all the difference.

A Photo-Motivational Kick

"You enjoy making photographs, don't you? You're a photographer, right? Just hit the road and start shooting." Cindy had to give me a photo-motivational kick in the pants this morning (hey, it happens). I headed north to a place I had heard of, but never visited — Princess Place Preserve in Flagler County.

What I discovered on the property was a 19th-century estate / lodge and Florida's first in-ground swimming pool. The artesian-fed concrete structure was a welcome respite from the 90+ degree summer days.

The lodge was an interesting piece of architecture that utilized cedar and palm tree trunks as columns on the front and back porches with tall windows situated to provide cross-ventilation back in the day. The interior was closed and appears only to be open for tours on certain days.

I spent time photographing various compositions of the porch details and wide-angle views of all the structures. Princess Place is a conservation area providing hiking trails (equestrian, too) and numerous photography opportunities.

My curiosity led my to this place and, though I didn't realize it at first, relieved the stress and lack of motivation I was experiencing in the morning. I was agonizing over problems and the minutiae of issues that I could not resolve. Having a sense of curiosity provided an attitude adjustment and is a good habit to develop to gain new perspectives and possibilities and to just relax.

Photography and Curiosity in The Lone Star State

I'm fascinated about history. I am currently reading a biography of Ulysses S. Grant and I have a stack of history books on the table waiting to be read. When I travel, I have to find about the history of the area. What prominent citizens lived there? What industries shaped the city or community? Were there events that contributed to the success or demise of the area? What was the cultural identity? After finding that information, I then try to explore that history through photography. 

When traveling, everyone photographs the iconic landmarks — Big Ben, The Eiffel Tower, The Statue of Liberty. When I was in San Antonio, I went to see The Alamo and I was rather disappointed. It was in the middle of downtown and, as you might expect, had lots of tourists. I knew I would photograph The Alamo. It was predictable and easy; but I ended up disengaged and frustrated. It was boring. Myself, and every other tourist was making pretty much the same kinds of images

I made my obligatory photographs but I heard there were other missions along some back roads out of town. Lugging my 4 x 5 and tripod, I discovered the beautiful architecture and history of lesser-known San Antonio missions and shot more sheet film during this adventure than any other photo shoot in my career. There was no one else around — just me and my sense of curiosity.

I believe curiosity allows me to be open to the surprises in my life. I always want to know what is around the bend in the road and what is around the next street corner. While I consider myself an introvert, I enjoy talking to strangers and finding out what they do for a living, what off-the-beaten paths they recommend or where they like to eat lunch or dinner. Being uncomfortable is not a bad thing. When I'm comfortable, I am content and not open to possibilities. When I am curious, I seek the unexpected. Curiosity made all the difference.

Photography, Curiosity, Light & Color

When I moved to Florida in 1984, I had a plan. I was going to the beach every weekend; I was going to learn to scuba-dive; I would go salt-water fishing as often as possible; I would play tennis every day; I planned to travel extensively through my new home state.

Well, I actually only make it to the beach occasionally, I never learned to scuba-dive, I gave up fishing, and sports injuries gradually kept me from playing tennis. But, I started to travel through Florida for work and pleasure and continue to do so. The state has much to offer the resident traveler from history to nature.

Being from Illinois, we hunkered down quite a bit during the winter months. My cabin fever started in January. Obviously, living in Florida offers year-round travel possibilities. As I traveled the state, I noticed the light and color in the subjects I photographed was "different" than in Illinois. More than the tropical pastels associated with Florida, there was a different quality to the photographs I made — more vibrant and intense colors and the southern light seemed to be more dramatic.

Curious.

When I was completing an assignment for clients, I would photograph in whatever style was demanded, usually color. But in my personal work, I photographed in black and white (Illinois coal miners, farmers, landscapes, etc). But the color and light of Florida was appealing and I was curious to see how my personal work would reflect my photography choices. I found subjects that were all about light and color. There are probably better explanations from experts and professionals about why I found Florida's light and color so engaging — but I was just fascinated in this new direction in my personal work.

During those first couple of years in Florida, my curiosity led me to new photo opportunities and experiences from Ybor City to neon. I eventually returned to black and white photography for my personal work and my curiosity is leading me to new discoveries.

Everything starts with curiosity.

Photography, Curiosity and Taking Wrong Turns

I took a wrong turn this morning. Well, not exactly.

I was wandering around downtown DeLand, looking for things to photograph — people, architecture, signs, street scenes, back alleys, etc. and I ended up walking in front of the local landmark, the historic Volusia County Courthouse. Built in 1929, the architecture is gothic, neo-classical with a cupola and clock tower. Everybody photographs this iconic structure. I have photographed it numerous times myself, from every conceivable vantage point and composition including one from the rooftop of a building a mile away.

I turned to walk away from the structure but hesitated and decided to check out the inside of the courthouse. I had been inside before, but, with camera in tow, I really wanted to look for new and interesting photographic possibilities.

With fresh eyes to consider various perspectives, the interior gave me several photo opportunities. It is an elegant structure; bright with numerous distinctive architectural elements from stained glass to ornate columns.

In addition to the architectural features, what distinguishes the courthouse interior is the art. There are several paintings depicting local and state history and a few fine-art photographs. The paintings offer different styles and are intricate in detail. I made quite a few photographs and learned about Florida history from the painting descriptions.

Following my curiosity about the courthouse interior led to new photographs and discovery. Curiosity means wanting to know more. Being curious about things that you may usually ignore and finding the extraordinary in your usual surroundings can lead to breakthrough ideas.

So, it wasn't really a wrong turn I made this morning, just different. And that makes the difference.

The Coolest, Hottest Photo Session

I recently had the opportunity to find out what the inside of a clock tower looks like. I followed Kathy, a history resource specialist, up a few steps to the balcony of a historic courtroom. She unlocked a door and we entered.

Another staircase met us; these more daunting than the ones we just navigated. A small bead of perspiration began forming on my forehead as I had my 4 x 5 camera case in one hand; another camera bag filled with a DSLR, lenses, film holders, light meter, and digital recorder over my shoulder; and my tripod in my other hand. It would require two trips up the narrow, steep stairs.

Kathy went first to open a hatch at the top of the stairs. "Come on up," she said.

I took my shoulder bag and tripod up, first. Not too bad. I went back down and grabbed my 4 x 5 case.

Two steps back up and I thought maybe using the 4 x 5 wasn't such a good idea, after all. The sweat began rolling a little more profusely. I made to the top, set the 4 x 5 case down and expected to step inside the clock tower.

What I found, instead, was another set of stairs, more steep and narrow. Ugh!

Kathy led the way and made it to the top. I started up and about half-way, my head met a steel beam. I didn't utter a sound or the words that I wanted to scream.

"Oh no! I forgot to warn you about that," Kathy said.

With more effort and sweat, I made to the top step and set my case
and tripod down. Triumph! Until I realized my 4 x 5 case still remained below.

I went back down the steps. I picked up the 4 x 5 case and looked up the staircase. I hesitated as the salt sting of sweat now reached my eyes. I took one step at a time and finally had everything I needed at the top.

I climbed off the stairs, stood up and looked around. It was a magnificent space. Four giant clock faces, gears, wooden beams and pulleys.

It was bright and provided nice light for making photographs. And hot. We couldn't spend a lot of time up here before the heat would be unbearable. So, I quickly got to work making some preliminary images, carefully maneuvering around the room.

Finally, it was time to set up the 4 x 5. I placed it carefully on the tripod, found an appropriate composition to photograph Kathy, took a light meter reading and exposed 4 sheets of film.

Finished, I packed up everything and made it back down without incident.

Was it worth it? Definitely ! Sure, I could have used a digital camera, but it was more about the experience. My curiosity led me to eagerly accept the opportunity to see the inside of a historic clock tower. I was pleased with the resulting image. Everything starts with curiosity.