The Power of One:

Posted on May 14, 2012 by David Farmerie

Al playing the violin in Market Square, Pittsburgh.

His name is Al.

As Stephnie and I were walking through the streets of Pittsburgh, earlier this morning, I felt the desire to stop in Market Square – a public area of patio – style tables and chairs, surrounded by shops, restaurants, and corporate headquarters.

It was nearing lunch hour, when we first sat down. Little by little the passersby grew in numbers. The bustle of the area rose. Then sat a man, dressed in a heavy flannel work shirt, jeans, sneakers with no socks, and a violin. He places a moderate-sized plastic container, a few feet from his feet, that would be the receptacle for tips.

His repertoire was mostly Vivaldi. The sound made its way through the square and, as I found out later, even down through the streets 2 blocks away. The sky was heavily overcast, showing a constant threat of a downpour, which made the brightness of the music even more appropriate – and welcomed.

Much to my surprise, many passersby placed money in his plastic container. One woman of years stopped, with great intention – six, or eight, steps beyond him. She struggle to open her wallet, but managed to remove a one dollar bill from its grip, then paused – apparently in thought, then placed the one dollar bill between her lips, freeing her hands to remove a five dollar bill instead, then placing the one back in its original place. After clasping her wallet, and securing it back in her purse, she turned and walked back to the violin player, placed the five in his container, bid him a good day, and walked off to meet her bus.

I sat and experienced how his playing affected people in a positive way. It brightened their day. It moved them in some way – nearly each and every one who passed. Those who occupied the tables – from business suits, to the homeless – each were captivated, in some way, by the music.

I wanted to spend time talking with Al, but I was not willing to interrupt what he was there to do. Instead I simply shook his hand, and thanked him, then went on my way.

Until next time…

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Weekend Roadtrip – Part 2 of 2:

Posted on April 30, 2012 by David Farmerie

4.29.12

While driving home from the road trip to Dale Hollow, I was on fire! My creative soul was  cranking beyond capacity. My system was wonderfully overloaded. And I wanted more. I suggested to Stephnie that I wanted to photograph the T-Rex, the following morning. That would mean leaving the house at 4:45 a.m. and driving north for an hour and a half. She asked if she could ride along, and I agreed.

Sunday morning the alarm went off at 3:15 a.m. It had only been a few hours earlier that I set the alarm, rolled over, and closed my eyes to sleep. With a sloth-like motion I moved my body up, and out of the bed. Shuffling into the kitchen, the light was blinding as I flipped the switch upward. Moments later the kettle was heating water for my tea.

By 4:45 a.m. we were pulling out of the driveway, headed for Kentucky – and the, not-so-elusive, T-Rex. I wanted to be there just as the sun tipped above the horizon, giving me that beautiful new-morning light. The weather forecast assured me of partly cloudy skies – perfect for my task.

At 6:15 a.m. I exited the interstate, turned left, pulled onto the side of the road, and abandoned the driver’s seat. I had no time to waste, as the sun was already peaking above the horizon. I slung the camera bag over my shoulder, then the camera, and then, to secure it all, the tripod. I walked as fast as I could down the entrance ramp, then for a hundred yards, or so, along the interstate, then up into the tall – and very wet, grass. Immediately I photographed with the Nikon – hand-held, as I didn’t want to waste time by setting up the tripod.

The sky was mostly cloudy, which was adversely affecting my light. Regardless, I was there, and was willing to wait for those brief moments of pure light. I had been wanting to make this image for, at least, the past two years, but always putting it off – hoping to just catch it while en route to Pittsburgh.

Once I had an image made, I set up the tripod, mounted the Hasselblad to it, composed for the square format, and released the shutter. I repeated this process several more times – each time moving for a new angle. Switching between formats was still a bit challenging, especially when it came time to change film – rapidly. I found myself fumbling a bit.

In the end, I had made several views, and the T-Rex image was in the bag.  I called Stephnie, who was waiting elsewhere with the car. Moments later she arrived at the edge of the interstate. I reloaded my equipment back into the car, climbed into the passenger seat, and headed for home.

Until next time…

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Weekend Roadtip – Part 1 of 2:

Posted on April 30, 2012 by David Farmerie

4.28.12

This past weekend was truly phenomenal. After an intense few weeks I needed some windshield time. The problem, for me, was that I didn’t want to be behind the wheel again – having just made the quick turnaround trip to Pittsburgh, and will be heading back again in a couple of weeks.

Stephnie suggested a road trip to Dale Hollow – a natural area with a man-made lake. I was steadfastly reluctant but, in the end, agreed to go. Stephnie was willing to drive, which was incentive enough. I grabbed a camera, threw it over my shoulder, and headed for the car.

With the exception of one stop at a McDonald’s drive-thru, for two iced teas, we spent the next three hours driving through one small town, after another. Windows down, sunroof opened wide, the camera secured between my thighs, I let the curves of the road lull me into a trance, and the wind blow away life’s tensions. Conversation was at a minimum, replaced by music through the car’s speakers.

Eventually we arrived in the town of Celina, Tennessee. We entered the town via the main street. Surrounding the courthouse was a vintage hot rod show. It was the perfect scene, I thought, for me to make a photograph of.

We drove to the opposite end of the street, parked the car, and immediately I went into photographer mode. Ever step I took was with purpose, as my eye scouted the palette before me. But I also found myself becoming nostalgic, as my eyes fell upon a 1966 Chevelle. As I approached the car I was transported, immediately, back to another time – a time when I was far younger, and life was far different. As I gazed into the interior of the car, I was brought face to face with the interior of my Chevelle – albeit a year newer than this one, yet the interiors were the same. At once, I could smell my interior. I could feel myself sitting in the seat. I could feel the power of the engine as I started the car. But that was all a very long time ago.

I continued to walk around making photographs. It was a perfect setting for my New Americana series. I came upon a 1970 Roadrunner with its hood open. As I stared, first at the car, then at the engine, I saw myself standing with my childhood friend, Leon Tempalski, while we worked on his Roadrunner – and dreamed of days ahead.

An hour, or so, later – as we left Dale Hollow and headed for the interstate, we passed three abandoned vehicles along the side of the road. Each were covered, heavily, in the dried vines of Kudzu, making for a striking scene. I had Stephnie turn the car around and park on the opposite side of the road. Even before the car came to a stop, I jumped out and made my way across the highway. Once again my eye engaging – composing the scenes as I walked. I took in everything – every nuance, and felt them as they stirred within me. There was such beauty in what I was seeing. There was such majesty in these ruins – and they were perfect for my Boneyard series.

Eventually we made it to the interstate. Within the first mile I spotted a billboard out of my peripheral vision. I knew what I had scene, even though it was just a quick, passing, glance. Immediately I asked Stephnie to get off at the next exit. As soon as we exited I turned life over to my gut, for direction. Go to the next light, I told her, then turn right. Within a half mile, I repeated the request. Then, within a quarter of a mile a turn to the left, into a large, vacant, parking lot.

At the edge of the lot was the tall, cylindrical pole, that supported the billboard high above.  When I looked up, I saw it! It was, indeed, the billboard I glimpsed from the highway. Much to my surprise, it was a revolving billboard – one where the message changes every few seconds. It was meant to be….

Within a few minutes I had the photograph made – another perfect image for New Americana.

Now it was time for dinner, a coffee, and a drive home under a darkened sky filled with stars.

Until next time…

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A Little Brunch and a Lot of Hope:

Posted on April 22, 2012 by David Farmerie

When I was about 21 years old, I went off on my first assignment to Poland. There I met a man who had been a “Holocaust Survivor.” I spoke with him, via my translator, and listened to his story. He even showed me the tattooed serial number on his forearm, for validity.

A few months later I began dating a girl who lived in the Jewish section of Pittsburgh. Through her mother I met several others who were survivors, as well. As time went on, I finally moved to the East End of Pittsburgh and, in doing so, found myself surrounded by survivors – many of whom I established wonderful friendships with – and who’s stories I listened to intently.

This afternoon Stephnie and I spent four hours, over brunch here at the house, with a family who survived the atrocities of the Rwandan Genocide of the mid- 1990’s.

Stephnie had known, before hand, much of their story of near death, and escape. I chose not to know the details,[before meeting them] for two reasons;

First, and foremost, I wanted to get acquainted with them based on who they are – now.  Secondly, the information that is generally known, of the Rwandan genocide, is enough to know that anyone’s survival was nothing less than miraculous.

And that is what prompted this post.

This is a family that, much like the Holocaust Survivors I came to know, has looked forward. They have certainly not forgotten their past, but they do not continue to live in it. Instead they have chosen to help others. Together, along with several others, they have created an NGO that is committed to eliminating genocide in the world. Instead of preaching messages of anger, they lecture on Hope. And instead of focusing on their own culture, of Rwanda, they have chosen to focus on the world.

During our four-hour brunch there was never talk of the atrocities that they endured. There was only discussion of how we can work together to change the world.

Currently much of their focus is on the genocides occurring in Congo, which was the original purpose of our meeting. Several weeks ago Stephnie and I met with Claude, who is the eldest son of this family. He was interested in what Stephnie and I wanted to do in Congo – and subsequently offered the assistance of their NGO. By the end of today’s time together, it was clear that the relationship will be much more, and I have realized that I will be spending a great deal more time in Congo.

But I have digressed a bit, from the original message of this post – and that is… Hope. We, especially as Westerners, find ourselves continually moving from one drama to another. Many, within our culture, spend day after day complaining about this issue, or that. We hear complaints of how ‘not enough is being done to help “me” ‘. Yet this afternoon I heard countless stories of people who, against all odds, persevered – moving their lives, and their situations, forward – never asking from anyone but themselves, and never giving up on “Hope”. And that was the message – the story, that I always heard from the Holocaust Survivors. They survived, and persevered, because they never gave up on “Hope”.

I am grateful, beyond words, for having had the opportunity that I had today. And I, too, was boldly reminded, of where my focus needs to be… and never waver.

Until next time…

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Remembering:

Posted on April 11, 2012 by David Farmerie

Several years ago – well, ok, closer to 34 years ago, I conceptualized, produced, and directed two music videos for a band by the name of Styx. This, of course, was before the days of MTV, and the videos were designed to be played, on a very large screen, at the back of the stage during a performance.

For the past few years I have had one of the songs; Suite Madam Blue, on my ipod. Periodically I will listen to it – LOUD, as I did when conceptualizing, and then later, editing, the video. Even now, I get transported back to that time, each time I listen to it – and the power of the video still replays fresh in my memory.

The second song; Crystal Ball, is one that I have never downloaded to my iPod, and the record album has long since disappeared. From time to time I will think about it, and even think about downloading it, but in the end, I always forget.

Tonight, about an hour ago, while preparing my music list for tomorrow’s road trip to Pittsburgh, I thought of it – and immediately downloaded it. The moment I heard the chorus begin, my entire reality shifted. I was, as if by the twitch of Genie’s nose, back in the editing booth, headphones on, the song blaring, and putting together the sequences (long before computers). Even the smells around me changed. I could smell the studio, and even sense, strongly, the emotional place I was in at the time.

While downloading from iTunes, I also decided to download another Styx album – one that I had not done any video work on, but did spend considerable time on that tour, and with the band members. I was amazed that, as the first song played, I began to sing along and new every word – every inflection, throughout the entire song. As the acoustic guitar played, immediately I saw Tommy Shaw practicing – wearing is stylish cowboy boots and being transported away by the song.

So I listened to Crystal Ball, one more time – just to take it all in, and now, as I finish writing this post, I look ahead to sleep… and my 3:00 a.m. wake up call.

Until next time…

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Vision Realized:

Posted on April 3, 2012 by David Farmerie

Many of you will remember the project I spoke of, several weeks ago, aptly titled “4 Days and a Pack of Squares. The excursion yielded several wonderful images, however one has eluded my satisfaction in the printing process – until a few days ago.

Initially I printed it on a porous fiber paper, but quickly realized that it did not complete my vision. In short, my abilities regarding paper pre-visualization are still a work in progress.. I tested several other papers, and none were giving me the results I desired.

Then, I spotted several sheets of paper, from a Hahnemuhle sample pack, that I had never tested. Immediately I leafed through and tested Hanemuhle’s Photo Rag Baryta.
Voila! My vision had been attained – and beyond!

Could it be that I have a new favorite to add to my stable? Most definitely, YES!.

That prompted me to experiment even further – this time with a series of black & white portraits. My choice of paper, initially, was Hahnemuhle’s Sugar Cane. The results were as I expected – spectacular!  From there I moved to Hahnemuhle’s German Etching – a paper that I have long believed would be a great portrait paper, yet never got around to proving it.

That has changed. Yesterday I printed three images on the German Etching. Earlier today, I printed to more. I am blown away! This paper has given me more than just great reproduction – it has given me the additional visual, and tactile, qualities of the unprinted portion of the paper, adding an overall quality, to the finished print, that left me simply staring.

Until next time…

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Revisiting Old Loves:

Posted on March 31, 2012 by David Farmerie

Saturday 10:47p.m.

Earlier today I began testing papers again. In the process I was was drawn, [once more] into revisiting old images. Perhaps, at least in part, the impetus was a residual of yesterday’s lecture to students from Union University. But there is a far deeper impetus at work here – one that I am not quite ready to share just yet.

Envy from Seven Deadly SInsInitially I began by revisiting and image that is only a few years old – closer to 4 years is probably more accurate. It is an image from the Seven Deadly Sins series that I was commissioned to create. Since the very beginning of the editing process, I felt that there was more – but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Over the years I contemplated this body of work numerous times. Today, for whatever reason, I was drawn back to it – but this time with a concept. My concept was simple; re-edit the image in black & white. For me, the skin tones of the model [who, by the way, is Jamie LaShell], lend themselves perfectly to this concept. I began with “Envy” – the image title, not the actual sin, and with very little editing she emerged from the paper.

The second image was much older – closer to 12 years, give or take. The image was from my work in Yucatan, henequin workersand is of two workers in the hennequin processing plant. The image has always been close to my heart – visually and sentimentally. As I began editing the image I was astonished at how much the digital darkroom was an advantage. I was able to do what I wanted to 12 years ago, but didn’t have the skills back then.

Editing this particular image also brought to mind a thought that has penetrated my cortex before – on many occasions; how would I photograph the subjects of the Yucatan Peninsula now? Even in the editing process I was aware of changes in how I see, perceive, and feel. I would love to see how this would show in the work. I see these changes – these evolutions in my creative process, in the work that I currently create – however, I would find it fascinating to see it with a subject that I photographed long before this current evolution… especially a subject that still holds great emotional importance to me.

Perhaps a much longer road trip is in order.

Until next time…

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On The Road Again – Final Post:

Posted on March 21, 2012 by David Farmerie

All in all the 17 hour photographic excursion was a good one. In the end, three final images were made – and only one of those was planned. The early morning image of the flag is growing on me more, and more, each time I view it – and so far I haven’t done any editing on it.

The second image, a 1/2 life-size statue of an elephant, painted University of Tennessee orange and with a large “T” on its side – glowing in the midday sun, went from a passing thought (literally changing my mind as I passed it and then ‘forced’ myself to turn around and look again), to the realization of its importance as a strong representation of this “Americana”.

Record Shot Made With iPhone ©Copyright 2012 David Robert Farmerie

The third image – the one, and only, image that I had conceived of, and planned ahead of time – (and was, in fact, the impetus for me driving back that way), was of a 4×4 [monster-truck-style chassis, with giant monster-truck-style tires] and sitting atop the chassis was a brown, older model Mercedes body. This image I had planned down to the exact time of day that I needed to return. Everything else, in the excursion, was based around this very subject. As I arrived in the tiny town, the light was perfect in its position. My guestimation was dead on.

With the exception of the first image – the one of the flag at sunrise, everything was shot, exclusively, on medium format film. All three images were made with the Hasselblad, however the image of the car was also made with the pentax 645.

From my recent photographic excursion, a few weeks ago, with my dear friend, Nick Dantona, I talked about the ease with which I seemed to return to the square format of the Hasselblad. Today, when photographing the orange elephant, I realized that my limits had not been fully explored, or pushed, during that previous excursion. Suddenly I was faced with conflicts, within the square frame, forcing me to stretch and push my visual language. In the end I nailed it (or, at least, I like to believe I did without actually seeing the negative), which brings me to expound on a point previously made in another post; As much as I love having returned to the realm of shooting film, I am finding it more, and more, frustrating having to wait so long to view the results.

Even in the Hay Day, before digital was even a notion, film was regularly processed and proofed within hours. Now it is days – sometimes even weeks. Regardless, I have certainly, and completely, fallen in love with film – in fact, it is wonderfully clear that I never fell out of love. It has merely been an absence.

Until next time…

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First Image of the Day:

Posted on March 21, 2012 by David Farmerie

3.21.2012 (part two)

The first image of the day was made at 5:42 a.m., just as the sun was thinking about peering above the horizon. One of the things that I have become aware of, since focusing on The New Americana, is that some things never change – and that is just as important to this project, as all the things that have.

Winding along route 30, one of Tennessee’s countless backroads, the road undulated up and down, and side to side. The darkness, in addition to my overtired eyes, made navigating difficult. Lightness began to appear along the distant horizon Colored in a muted pink, it was just bright enough to bring out crisp edges of the object in its visual path.

©Copyright 2012 David Robert Farmerie

As I crested the pinnacle of a rise in the road, the pavement leveled a bit, and off to my left was an American Flag tied to a thin pole and secured to the cables that supported and large power line pole. The flag flapped with a ferocity, as if excited at the dawning of a new day. I turned the Expedition around (twice) and found a place to pull over. I made the first photograph with the digital Nikon, and then broke out the Hasselblad.

I am waiting for the sun to pass across the sky – probably another five hours, so that I can make the photograph that was the intention for this trip. I considered spending the night at one of the cabins at Rock Island, but I am reconsidering. Perhaps that is best saved for another time.

Until next time…

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On The Road Again:

Posted on March 21, 2012 by David Farmerie

3.21.2012

The Salon meeting was ‘phenomenal’. In fact it may have been the best one to date. Much was established, but the most important may have been the topic for this year’s group photographic project. The theme is “Self Portrait” through a series of images that portray who we are based on our life’s experiences. Normally we would have decided on a topic, and begun the work, in January but we are just now regrouping from the Southern Light exhibition.

I left Nick’s house about 11:20 p.m. and began my photographic journey. Part of the excursion is with The New Americana in mind. Another part is to revisit Rock Island and parts of Fall Creek Falls. More than anything, it is another opportunity to shoot film. The fire has been re-ignited and my desire to experiment, and even to see if there are boundaries to be pushed.

It is now 2:08 a.m. and I just finished a couple of eggs and am working on a refill of coffee – fresh-brewed I’ve been told. I’m surprised that this Waffle House is as quiet as it is – three people besides myself, but it is a blessing. The other blessing is that I am only 30 minutes from Rock Island and the sun won’t be up for another four to five hours. Now I just need a secluded place to pull the Expedition over so I can grab a few winks.

Until next time…

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