Searching for Subjects
As I have taken a more intentional approach to making photographs since the start of the year, I have been constantly thinking about who and what to photograph. For a long time, I have been pretty fascinated with the idea of photographing Lake Ontario, looking south towards the US from Woodbine Beach (ok, directly south is really like the Niagara area, but you get the idea). Something about being north of the border, looking back towards our family, friends, and past, has lingered in my mind for many years now.
Earlier in January, I went for a quick walk on the beach to see what this might look like. It was freezing cold, with flurries and dense, intermittent cloud cover. I made a few photographs of the water, waiting for the right light. Nothing was all too interesting. Then I decided to climb one of the lifeguard stands to see how the perspective would change.
I really like how this change in perspective really made it feel like you are standing on and in the midst of the water. Of the dozen or so photos I made, this one is most compelling. I really like the subtle dark shadow in the center of the water that acts as a leading line your eye can follow south (maybe there is a metaphor in there, too…). This may be the start of something new. We’ll see.
After making these photos and jumping down from the lifeguard stand, I was pretty surprised to see how dynamic the stands actually were. From the graffiti to the worn, bent metal to the added safety piping. They almost acted like a sculpture on their own (ironically, Winter Stations is an art competition at the beach every winter that invites artists to make artworks that incorporate the lifeguard stands). This photograph really stood out to me for all the thrilling reasons of the lifeguard stand, but also the hint of a city beach with the smoke stack in the background. I also really like the image's black-and-white tonality.
This first day out, really spending time looking and thinking about making interesting, unique, and technically sound photographs with intention has been a really great catalyst for me. I’ll certainly be back to the beach to see what else comes of these ideas. This will very likely be an ongoing subject I photograph. Either way, new ideas and subject matter are brewing as we speak.
KTG