intimate/personal space #2 ~ it's a process
Friday, January 23, 2009 at 08:44AM 
Purple couch, green throw, and a remote • click to embiggenUnlike yesterday's intimate/personal space picture, purple couch is a constructed picture.
bed #1 was an untouched found picture - no artificial favors added. purple couch was a result of thinking about what might constitute an intimate/personal space as opposed to looking for one. At this point in the proceedings, I suspect that the series will be comprised of a mixture of found and constructed scenes as well as a few that are found with a little bit of constructed added.
To that end I have begun to make a list of potential intimate/personal spaces. The list will serve 2 purposes; 1) a simple reminder of scenes for which to be on the lookout, and, 2) not finding same, constructing them.
As mentioned, one of the primary driving forces behind this activity is the desire to make more person-oriented pictures. IMO, making these pictures without a person in them leaves the viewers of the pictures with many more options and possibilities available to them in reading the pictures - much more open to interpretation and added meaning(s), much more ground for emotional and intellectual movement.
In addition to the aforementioned desire, another strong motivator is the desire to make constructed pictures. The bulk of my professional picture-making life was spent constructing pictures. Constructing scenes - small to large, simple to elaborate, still-life to people - for the purpose of creating a specific impression of one kind or another in the viewer's mind and emotions.
To state it simply, I really liked doing it and I really miss doing it. So, one way or another, I'm going to keep doing it.
Question: I know that I have asked before but I'll ask again - have any of you constructed any pictures? If not, any desire to do so?
PS yesterday's diptych was 500×1000 pixels, today's is 600×1200 pixels. I prefer the larger presentation but that said, it fits nicely on my screen. Any problems with anyone with the bigger size?
gravitas et nugalis
Don's space • click to embiggen
Featured Comment: Don Cooper wrote: "I was thinking this would have been a great idea when I was in Vietnam. Everyone had their own "space" where their bunk was. Guys would have their bunks, a desk or table, ammo boxes for shelves and cabinets, some would stain the wood with shoepolish, have pictures, things from home. I wish I would have thought of that, each one its own story."
Hey Don, thanks for sharing this very intimate/personal space with us.
gravitas et nugalis
Featured Comment: Paul Maxim wrote: "Here's an idea: Why not place the "pepper glop" next to the remote (as long as you're doing "constructed" stuff)? You could call it "decayed space" or something."
my response: an interesting idea. I'll have to sit and ponder (see intimate/personal space #3) it for a while. Although I'm not sure what the wife will think about ... what a minute. What am I saying? I know exactly what the wife will think about it.
Reader Comments (7)
Just because this photo is constructed, don't think the photographer is not intimately familiar with each of the items...
Nope. Photography for me is finding things, places, people, and recording them. To construct something and then photograph it seems to take time away from photographing and so seems a little pointless. I'd rather paint, sculpt, weave, knit, crochet, cook, mount bookshelves than construct something that has no function other than being the subject of a picture.
I have constructed photos. I have 3 somewhat recent ones, but I've not shown them as they are quite personal...
I think this is a great project. Everyone has their own personal space. As far as constructing, I may have moved some items around while taking some family shots but that is it.
I was thinking this would have been a great idea when I was in Vietnam. Everyone had their own "space" where their bunk was. Guys would have their bunks, a desk or table, ammo boxes for shelves and cabinets, some would stain the wood with shoepolish, have pictures, things from home. I wish I would have thought of that, each one its own story.
Interesting idea Mark and the photo of Don's personal space in Vietnam is extraordinarily powerful. Thanks for sharing it Don.
And what a "process" it is.
Here's an idea: Why not place the "pepper glop" next to the remote (as long as you're doing "constructed" stuff)? You could call it "decayed space" or something.
I've working on an interiors project for about a month. Also just this morning I started think about a constructed series: small objects which so far in my mind comes off like small scale product photography. This clearly needs some refinement and a second approach in black and white of stuff/clutter of a specific class which for the moment will remain unsaid. Also have a raft of flower portraits.