Awhile ago, I read that every serious photographer needs to have a 'Body of Work'. Because that's what I want to be, I decided that I had better figure out exactly what a Body of Work is, and then get busy creating one.
As far as I understand it, a Body of Work is built around one general theme, and as we focus upon that one idea, we can watch it unfold in it's own way, as well as watching our own skills and preferences unfold. For me, it's also about the discipline of 'showing up'! And honouring a personal commitment ... an aspect of Self that can still use some work....
Life on the Canadian Prairies, in winter, always creates a challenge for the photographer... mostly just overcoming the instinctive urge to stay warm and stay inside. Consequently... the act of 'showing up' means at least a half hour of preparation time. First, I have to convince myself I am going outside, no matter what the conditions are. That usually takes awhile. Then all the appropriate camera gear and necessary elements to battle the 'quick freeze-up' have to be organized and assembled. As time has passed, and I have (remarkably!) remained committed to my B.O.W., I've developed a nice little system for getting out the door, usually without forgetting a whole lot of really important stuff.
I wanted my B.O.W. to be outside.... and I wanted it to be close, so that I would be more likely to 'show up'. And I wanted it to be something interesting and not particularly challenging, so that I would show up on days that I didn't feel like being challenged.
So, in November, I chose 2 locations, both close to home, and with the help of my helpful and capable man, who created permanent containers for each of my tripod legs, using metal tubes in the ground, for one, and for the hillside setup, he attached tin cans to plywood, so it can easily be re-located in the future, if necessary.
Now here's the meat of the story... the main idea of my Body of Work is to photograph these 2 locations on a regular basis, and at least, once a week, more often when the weather changes or the light is really lovely. And I'll be doing this for a year.
What I hope to create is a sense of the flow of the changes that happen, every day, actually... as Nature moves through her cycles. Every shot is taken from the exact same place, with exactly the same settings and focal range. All of them are being shot in a series, so they can be High Dynamic Range if they look better that way.
By next fall, I hope to create a simple slide show with the best of the shots... and with any luck at all.... we will be able to witness an entire year in my back yard, and on a nearby hill, as it sleeps, stirs in the spring, wakes and reaches it's summer glory, then slips back into rest again beneath the snow.
Doesn't that sound cool???
I would love to hear what you have to say about my Body of Work....there must be someone out there who has an opinion they want to share....
The photos above and below were both taken (by my trusty assistant) at my hillside location.
