Tree in Pepe's Garden 2 [Capitol Hill, Seattle] Holga 120N w/Polaroid Back and Polaroid 690 Film

I've been enjoying poking around in Flickr a lot lately, and instead of just looking in on my friends, as I have done in the past, I've also been following a few random photographers whose work I really enjoy. It's such an odd feeling, like peeping into people's windows, this peering into the lives of strangers.

I find myself wondering "what kind of person makes images like these?" "What do they care about?" "What do they do for a living?" "What do they enjoy?" "Where do they live?" "Who do they love?" "Who *are* they?"

Some people (including many of my closest real-life friends) tell nearly-all in their photo streams; they share photos of daily life, themselves, their friends and jobs, and some even write blog-style posts to go with their stories. Others tell almost nothing, and it's these people who fascinate me the most.

I find myself slowly wondering through one photo stream in particular, someone whose work I find to be breathtaking, a combination of real life's grittiness juxtaposed with soft glowing beauty. He gives away very little about who he is in his words or photo stream, so my mind is left to imagine what kind of person makes those photos. My imagination is stopped short, though, by the complete lack of details to fill in any of the blanks, leaving me only with perpetual curiosity.

What does our art tell others about us? Can we gleam truths about another's psyche from what they show with their lenses? Does their choice to elaborate with words or let the images speak for themselves mean something? Does their choice of camera, film, and digital mediums reflect their personalities? If there are no people in their photos, are they lonely? How much can I learn about a person through the view through their lens alone?

Post a comment