The Images That Made Me | No. 4 — Donna Hopkins

Conversations by Mark Forbes from his book Collected Memories, published in 2024, is one of the images that made me. More accurately, his photograph validated the way I see the world and gave me reassurance to continue to trust my own intuition. I look at a lot of photographs, always with respect and admiration, often being moved by the work, but only rarely with the pull to create something similar. Or the recognition that I have already created similar work—though often not as good—but still on the right track. Studying this image makes it possible for me to create images that are stronger and more meaningful. Good photographs are a scaffold, a framework, for me to build upon.

This photograph of a quiet place to sit is like heaven for me. I am easily distracted by noises, irritated by harsh lights, and pained by uncomfortable furniture. Corners like this one—filled with natural light or the softness of light from a lamp, chairs soft and plump, with table for coffee or tea—make for an intimate setting for thoughtful conversation. I seek spaces like this one, preferring them to any restaurant, coffee shop or counter, in real life and in my photographs. I picture myself in this vignette and I feel right at home.

This may be one of the images that made me, but Mark’s entire body of work in Collected Memories is the style I am most drawn to these days. Medium format film and Kodak Portra color are my love languages. Truly.