One of the most effective ways that I learn to see differently is by studying the work of photographers whose work I admire. An accompanying benefit is that I continue to develop my own voice and style. The simple act of identifying art that I love, photographs that resonate with me, colors and styles that make me feel deeply…all these things contribute to my growth as an artist. I am always on the lookout for people and things that nourish me in this way.
This morning I spent some time with the photographs of Katherine Wolkoff, especially her body of work, Taken From a Cat. These types of pictures and this way of seeing are not part of my repertoire at this moment, but they are, for me, aspirational photographs. It’s easy enough to take a fine picture when the scene is set so that the subject is clearly defined, but what about when the subject is more subtle? What happens with the scene is not so carefully arranged? What about when focus stops being the focus? How do we convey themes and subjects in less concrete ways? These are the questions I am pondering.