#2 Meeting with Wendy McMurdo (part 2)

After Wendy gave me some other photographers to reference she made a comment about my own photography,

Fig. 1: Slade 2020

I've been studying the importance of imagination and 'play' in childhood and Wendy mentioned that so far my images only reflected MY  OWN imagination.  

She recommended I look at contemporary photographer Gemma Willis and her work with postpartum.

Fig. 2: Willis 2018.

Gemma is a recent graduate of Falmouth's program.  Her final images are very real and in the moment with lighting that enhances the emotion and increases the punctum.  

I can't stop thinking about Wendy's comment about my images and looking at Gemma's work I am inspired to get my images more real and closer to the source.  It will definitely be a different approach for me- and be somewhat out of my comfort zone, as it likely means getting images in intimate settings such as children in their own home. 

While I was looking up Gemma's website I also happened upon the project of Wing Lun Cheung and his work with cubicle tenants and the homeless.  His images are also very moving and eye opening.  

Fig. 3: Wing Lun 2019.

There is something about the 'real' that can't be denied.  

Figure 1. Bren SLADE. 2020.

Figure 2. Gemma WILLIS. 2018. Available here: https://gemmawillisma.wordpress.com/category/fmp/

Figure 3. Cheung WIN LUN. 2019. Available here: http://theforgotten.space/