Bill Delanney/Nothing & Doug Stockdale/Bad Trip-Sad Trip
Friday, May 18, 2007 at 08:31AM 
Bill Delanney wrote; About four years ago, after a long illness, I decided to simplfy my life. I stopped watching TV, movies, and the news. Photography was something that had interested me in the past and I thought it would be fun to do again. Found the simplist camera I could find, started reading about subjects that interested me. Making those changes has had a big impact on my personal life. My approach to what I make pictures of are only the things that interest me. I don't have to make a living selling pictures. I'm not looking for perfect.I don't see perfect. I've never seen perfect. I find as much intrique and discovery in normal everyday things much more than traveling to the Grand Canyon or looking at or for calender type pictures. I don't make a picture until I discover something out there that moves me inside. I have to feel something. Those are the subjects I'll stop,relax, sit with and then I either get a "feeling" or I don't. If something tells me to make a picture, I will. Sometimes, nothing happens and I just move on. It's almost a "spiritual" feeling. I can sense something, but I can't define it. I kinda just blend in-I don't try and evaluate or really think- it just happens. It seems I'll see something and feel a connection somehow. The beauty of the holga and the pinhole is I don't have to think about anything. Sometimes I click the shutter or open the pinhole and sometime I don't. It's hard to see sometimes, I can't go looking for it... It just finds me. I want my pictures to take me to another place. My pictures are my memories of that place.
Douglas Stockdale wrote; This project results from of a number of my personal experiences. My first experience was from my childhood riding with my father in Arizona, I had commented on the three white crosses that I saw at an road intersection that we had just passed. He told me that the crosses were for the three people who had been killed in accidents at that corner and that the state had put them there as a reminder to other drivers. That apparently left a strong memory.
Now many years later, I had, while traveling in some remote sections of the country, the sudden recognition again of the roadside memorials, but now they are very individualistic and unique. These are no longer nondescript white crosses but memorials, some very elaborate, some very plain, erected by those who are still here in memory of those who have left.
I have presented Bill & Doug together here for several reasons. First, lest anyone think I have gone off the deep-end regarding constucted pictures, I offer them as fine examples that found referents are still alive and kicking with considerable vigor. Second, both have projects/series that are little gems of focused vision.
Bill Delanney has several mini-series portfolios which are simple delights. The above pictures are from Pictures of Nothing. Also of special interest to me are Heavenly Food and a wonderful look at Barbershops. Bill's pictures are an excellent example of the power of simple observation coupled with focused concentration.
Doug Stockdale's project, Bad Trip-Sad Trip, also gives testament both to the power of simple observation and to the added kick of words. The fact that I read these words a few days after Mother's Day seemed to give them that much more impact.
Much thanks to Bill and Doug for their submissions to The Landscapist. It's a privilege to present their pictures and I would like to extend an invitation to both to participate in the Guest Photographers Forum on a continuing basis.
Reader Comments (3)
Mark, thanks I accept your offer and appreciate your comments. I am still not sure what my requirements are my participation in the Guest Photographers Forum, but I guess I will soon figure that out :- )
Best regards, Doug
Welcome to Bill and Doug, I enjoyed browsing the projects on both web sites. I especially enjoy having company in the monochrome camp! My guess is that I would find the images shown, so interesting to me as presented, would be much less so in color. Of course, photographers working in color might not have made these shots in the first place. Since I also enjoy the color photography posted here, it suggests there is a different eye for appropriate scenes for the two modes.
I concur w/ Steve, it's great to see some monochrome work. Bill I do really like the idea of photographing "nothing." While driving around today, I saw a couple more examples. It's a great way to see the landscape.
Doug, the "Bad Trip-Sad Trip" group of photos is a really powerful idea. I'd love to see some prints of this. I'm in awe of you who are able to put technique so far to one side that you are able to work w/ a holga or a pin hole. It shows a level of comfort that I have yet to achieve.