Catching Up: Year to Date
I’ve been selfish with my images and haven’t shared much since the new year. I thought I’d take the time to show some work and ramble a bit. Onward!
Chloe Ronco and I produced a handmade photo book together! There are three editions total, one of which was made for Dust Collective. The book is a mix of my own work and Chloe’s, the covers are each one-of-one cyanotypes toned in fenugreek seeds, and I hand-bound each book in the Swiss Binding fashion. Pictured above, Chloe and I tried to place very thick flowers into our contact frame, unfortunately resulting in disaster. Thank you, Chloe, for your incredible work.
Mission in mind, G and I went snowboarding more this season than in any previous year! It wasn’t as much as we’d like, but we set the new bar high and we look forward to next season.
I spent much of the cold and wet season photographing the natural landscape in an attempt to outrun the ever-present discomfort of shortened daylight. The winter landscape can be phenomenal. More on landscapes another time.
I found that I had been cropping more of my photographs to a 4:5 ratio, and that it was in my best interest to bring out the real deal once again. I photographed my camera setup (digitally) at each site to keep track of movements.
This image was made at Ringer Park on the nature trail during construction. The crews had placed guards around the trees they planned to keep, and I appreciated the contrast between a seemingly natural landscape and man’s intervention, both positive and negative. Shot on Ilford HP5 with the Sinar Monorail 4×5 camera.
The large format camera is capable of acting as a macro in almost any circumstance where the photographer can extend their bellows. Here is a somewhat close shot of a tree fork. I’ve got to spend more time with the large format, to be more like Barbara Bosworth.
It snowed constantly this winter, and it always rained the next day. The slush was belligerent and continuous, but the fresh snow has always provided me with my most unique nature photo opportunities. I’m glad the geese were with me.
A moment of opportunity, thick icicles formed on some fence vines in the great thaw.
I’d like to work on a collection about the stories I create behind the things I find on the street. Flannel pajama pants strewn haphazardly across an ice drift alongside Allston Street, adorned curiously and humorously by an empty Red Label shooter. Although the picture is easy to paint of one’s activities, perhaps wearing the pants, I can only imagine how the pants were left behind in the deep Boston Winter.
What is in a good nature image? Is everything sharp? Is everything even visible? How should the weather be? What are the rules? This may be one of my most successful nature images to date. I find myself staring curiously into the twists and branches, enthralled by the contrast, and concerned.
Hand, Michael Angelo Groccia.
Hands, Michael Angelo Groccia.
Face, Michael Angelo Groccia.
We visited my mother in Chicago and spent some time around the city before we drove out to the Frog Ranch.
My mother in her home with G, surrounded by (mostly) my drawings and paintings.
My sister at home.
My work has changed this year. I find less excitement in contrast that I can “add”, and much more in the contrast I can find. I’m astounded it’s taken me this long to get here. Here are some wet Rhododendrons.
I’ve been going to church. They were kind enough to have me as a photographer, and I’ve been invited back. It’s been an incredible time so far.
With the arrival of spring came flowers quickly. I call this Ozzy Rock. It has changed this year with the addition of local artwork, but he’ll jump onto it just the same.
We take warm weather very seriously. You can see from G’s clothes that it was not yet warm outside for our first picnic of the year, it just wasn’t bitter cold anymore. Ozzy loves the transition weather, so he enjoyed himself.
We spend most of our free time outside these days. We all like it better that way. The Boston Winter puts a beating on us that reminds us to appreciate the warm season, and so we do. Constantly.
Until next time, enjoy the warmth.