Minor White’s foundational belief about art and photography was that the camera was a tool for self discovery. All photographs act as a mirror. He emphasized that an artist’s primary subject is ultimately themselves, “The artist has something to say — himself.” When Minor White noted that “all photographs are self-portraits,” he meant that inevitably your personal biography—your experiences, loves, and struggles imprint themselves on your work.
Early in May I nearly died. I had a pulmonary embolism that put me in the hospital for three days. Although I am okay now my doctor’s say I was awfully lucky to have come to the hospital when I did. Blood thinners and pulmonary scans are in my immediate future but I will hopefully live to see many more days. All this combined with the passing away of my father on New Year’s eve had me pondering questions of existence and mortality. I still feel quite vital but I feel the breath of the inevitable gently blowing.
While resting at home I was really taken with the peonies in my backyard. How they bloomed beautifully and proudly proclaimed their colorful existence only to gently start to fade and quietly limp to their end. I feel like the peonies that are still full of color but are just starting to droop. A tinge of brown on their edges.
Force Of Seeing 