photographs by Sally Mann
Since I’ve taken up photography full time, I have immersed myself in the field completely. Guess what? One does not become successful overnight. There is a process and much work involved in acquiring all the skills and finding the right path.
I’ve been learning how to assist experienced photographers, I’ve been taking classes, I’ve been shooting portraits and other personal projects, and I have also been spending a great deal of time studying the work of photographers I admire. It’s like being back to school, but one that offers all the classes I’d most like to attend! The good news is that I can push myself as much as I want to… And when it comes to learning and being professional, I am definitely a perfectionist! I aim for the stars…
One of the things I enjoy the most is watching documentaries about an artist’s life and process. So it is wonderful to finally have some time to research and watch some great movies to inspire my Photography. I recently rented an excellent one called “What remains”, about the work of Sally Mann. “What Remains” explores portraits of Sally’s immediate family, landscapes of Virginia (where she lives), and other projects on war, death, decomposition and self.
photographs by Sally Mann
Sally is such a brave and thought provoking photographer, but I especially loved watching her just as a curious individual, with a passion for taking pictures. It is so lovely to see the real person behind the images and what drives that person to create a certain body of work. Sigh. Such depth in the many different layers that make each of us unique and interesting. I wish we all knew how to allow the space in our lives to come into our full creative selves! It is breathtaking to watch when someone has reached that level of openness… They really become superhumans, superheros!
photographs by Sally Mann
The real treat for me was to watch Sally directing the members of her family as they posed for her, and also, to see her taking her large 100-year old view camera into the woods. Ahhh… Something that she does on the regular basis… Embodying photography not as a job, but as a way of living… Hmmm… Like us! :) It really hit home in the sense that regardless of where our work lands, we are doing what Sally does, after all. Looking for beautiful things to see and record. I love it!
And I was completely captivated by her mini lab in the back of her truck too, with all the equipment and chemicals needed for the ‘wet plate’ technique. She makes large (40″x50″) black-and-whites using a 19th century process, in which glass plates are ‘coated with collodion, dipped in silver nitrate and exposed while still wet’, giving it an ethereal painterly look! Amazing! Such a breath of fresh air and love for the craft, in the midst of all the visual clutter and speedy processes in these fast-paced times…
If you want to know more about Sally Mann, there is info widely available online. Here is a great page at PBS with portifolio and videos. Her latest work is also featured on the latest Aperture mag. Enjoy!
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I’ll be back on Wednesday to share some Shining Star magic with you! The Shining Star details are coming on its own website, but in the meantime, you can email me at gypsygirlsguide@gmail.com for info and bookings right away.
By the way, I’ve also added some new prints to my Etsy shop. Take a peek here.
Inspired by Sally Mann
April 13, 2009
Sally Mann’s work is quite original and provocative; some of it disturbing, like life. You’re so right about photography being a process. We can’t possibly learn everything overnight; it’s important to keep adding to and honing our skills and broadening our perspective, as well as learning how to use different equipment. xoxox
Love Sally Mann. Always have. I don’t think I’ll ever be as good a photographer as her, but then, I consider myself an amateur, and that’s okay. I can still be inspired by her beauty and aspire to her talent.
There is a quote, it goes something like, “If you want to shoot for the stars you have to aim a little above them”
Love the post. Once again, inspirational. Thanks for living your truth so fervently it gives others permission to do the same.
Please think about taking these down for safety reasons.
I agree with Teaworthy. With great respect and gentleness, these girls are obviously very young, and these images are very sexy. I’m disturbed that people will find these titillating and not for the art. Feels creepy to me.
Thanks for your comments, guys. And I am sorry if this post affects you in a negative way. Like I said to teaworthy in a personal note, I respect everyone’s opinion and concerns. However, I am not showing anything that is not widely and worldly known, as well as vastly available in the internet. Sally Mann’s work came to recognition in some ways for the very reason that it is highly controversial and provocative. I’m not getting into the right or wrong here and I can’t be concerned with how it might be ‘used’, as I would be in a situation where I’d never be posting again about anything. I posted her work because as an artist, I respect other artists who are able to reveal their unique point of view despite of anyone’s reactions. In addition, watching the film for me was completely about seeing her process of making Art. To be honest, none of these issues came to my mind at any point, because seeing how she works, makes the results somewhat irrelevant to me (although the results are incredible). What I love is to see how one gets consumed by inspiration and wildly brings it to life.
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