Reading, Writing & Research Methodologies 01 - Sam
What My work is a series of portrait photographs, taken of a variety of people in the city of Rotterdam, on public streets. This is practice that I have been doing for quite some time, also in other cities that I have lived in. I shoot the photos in different mediums both in digital and with analog (medium format or 135). The choice of medium often depends on practicality, comfort and convenience of the area I choose to explore. The photos reflect and highlight the vibrant styles of locals and non-locals, the communities, cultures and/or subcultures they belong to, and how these people bring this into the open space. The portraits use a full body framing of the subjects, thus a wider angle than typically associated with portrait photography. A focus on lighting is given as much attention as is possible in the short encounter with my subject, depending on the time they may have in the moment. The hope is to have their style pop out of the image, but remain embedded in the urban surroundings of which we met. In creating an archive of portraits and moments with people, I hope to expand this into something that could be presented in a gallery or book, but also containing non-portrait imagery that draws connections to the humans, their personal backgrounds and the time and place of photograph. Thus, a less-editorial presentation.
How The photos are conducted in often spontaneous but also thoughtful manner. When I see moments or people in the streets that grab my attention, I approach them with a friendly smile, explaining my project and my interest in taking their photo. Much of the process relies on my own well-being. I must find myself in a proper mindset to be willing and able to approach others with a camera in hand. When I am not feeling social or confident, this is difficult. Oddly enough, forcing myself out of this lack of confidence by approaching someone is a great solution for me to feel better. Similarly, the capturing of these photos happens in a visible, public setting. An element of timing, in regards to time and physical space is required. I do not pre-arrange to meet any of the subjects. They must happen to be on the same street I am, and I must be willing to approach them for the photo to happen. I know how I hope to have the final photos look like, so while I am on a certain street I begin to calculate my best placement for subjects in relation to architecture, light, comfort (for myself and subject) and feasibility (busy foot traffic, cars etc).
Why I very much see this practice both as artistic creation and as socio-mental meditation. Artistically speaking, in approaching these (temporary) strangers, I am invoking an alternative form of interaction with the surroundings and residents of a place I currently call home, but also a place that serves as a canvas. This canvas allows me to appreciate and investigate people, reproducing images to be shared and proliferated. It allows for me to reflect on public space as a form of personal theatre for everyday life. This is drawing inspiration and theory from the work of Erving Goffman who also studied the social structures of humans in public settings- how people present themselves around others, exist within it and take to the proposal of having their image reproduced in said moment. Personally, the act of interacting with these strangers itself is a form of social exercise I find necessary in many ways. It allows me to root myself in a (somewhat) foreign place, as I have done in the 4 different countries I’ve lived in over the last decade. Being an outsider, it is a soft way of ‘forcing friendship’ and meeting others. Sometimes it works the other way, when people do not enjoy my proposal.