©2013 Russ Widstrand

I’ll be the first to acknowledge that not everyone gets my work. Alas, our culture is wired for experiences these days, I on the other hand, am wired for thoughtfulness. My orientation toward photography revolves around three ideas: Macro Observation – the search for underlying connections and currents in art and society. Intention – the willful visioning and purposeful execution in creating one’s art. Concept – thoughtful approaches to photography that are not encumbered by notions of beauty. This image would be an example of the later as it relies on typography for its raison d’être. Here, the application of paint identifies a location for a utilitarian purpose. I find more significance in this word and its placement than its original intent. The word “LOCATE” defines for me an awareness of where I stand, and quite literally says look where you are, perhaps also inferring some notion of disorientation. I also interpret it as a command to geolocate, to be distinctly aware of oneself on our precious planet, a mere mote in the galaxy. Again, “the search for underlying connections”. In relation to the nature of our Game format – one image following the next – I see yet another concept. A shift in visual conversation that brings us back from the abstract and literally grounds us into reality, the here… located right there. I often forgo playing a pretty or expected image when playing the Game for an opportunity to say something conceptual, this image on its own might be considered mundane to some, but in the context of the Game, I find it a fascinating idea that speaks to the macro as well as exercising the fundamental concept of the Game, the conversation and relationship between images. These nuanced ideas are what keep me interested in photography, sharing my personal and unique way of viewing the world. Its why I keep showing up at the Game, it affords me an opportunity to share who I am with the rest of the world.

My response to Robert’s martian image, is a bit alien as well. It is called “Christmas Goes Viral”. I shot this christmas ornament this morning and I liked it as a straight image, but as most of you may have guessed by now, I am not a straight shooter. The ornament struck me as such a weird object, in a fascinating way. The original capture had no detail in the background, just white, which got me thinking about it as an object, and with its little tail, looked like a microscopic view of a virus. One thing led to another and into Photoshop I went.

I chose another form of branches to follow Robert’s asparagus fern. I shot this image while out hiking in the Columbia Gorge. A gorgeous hike with beautiful waterfalls, streams and light. This reflected image struck me as soon as I framed it, it had great compositional form and the blue sky seemed to emulate a river meandering through the scene. I also shot a few videos, I have attached one here as well.    

My latest image for the game. Today was such a stellar day in Portland, I had to get outside. It was one of those afternoons I knew was going to produce blue shadows, I love these days. I went to visit a fellow photographer’s show in an industrial area of PDX, ripe pickings for a hard light shot. I found several, and this one rose to the top very quickly. Please feel free to share with your social networks and join my blog, thanks! Russ

I thought I would have a bit of fun playing off of Robert’s awesome image of corn dogs. Onions for eyes, cabbage for rasta hair, and the all important relish goatee. I shot the eyes in all positions, looking down, sideways and up. I kept coming back to this one for the eye contact across the thumbnails, adds a bit of playful connection and personality. Mustard is a must for my hot dogs, ketchup is not allowed.

Adding this image of my sketches that got me to Rasta Dog… thought some background on concept would be interesting.

 

Crow is the left-handed guardian. Crow knows the unknowable mysteries of creation and is the keeper of all sacred law. Crow medicine people are masters of illusion. Do not try to figure crow out. It is the power of the unknown at work, and something special is about to happen. Crow is also the guardian of ceremonial magic and healing. In any healing circle, Crow is present. Crow guides the magic of healing and the change in consciousness that will bring about a new reality and dispel “dis-ease” or illness. You can rest assure when ever crows are around, magic is near by and you are about to experience a change in consciousness. Crow can give you the courage to enter the darkness of the void, which is the home of all that is not yet in form. (http://www.birdclan.org/crow.html)  

Roberts image spawned all kind of ideas for me. I have some shots of a tree farm in Central Oregon that connect to the feather-like image I saw in Robert’s shot. I had thought that we had exercised the blue theme enough and was thinking about a change. Ultimately, though, I chose this image of a rocket vapor trail fired from Vandenberg space port near Santa Barbara. I took a series of images of this aborted? rocket launch and have attached the series for further interest. As I am leaving for Montana very soon, so I needed to go to my library for my selection.  

Following up on Robert Nease’s image, I thought we might investigate another tack on guns… our timely national debate over gun control. Peace out. PS: This is not a composite.