Author: Robin Davis

12/16/14

Should a photograph be about something?

…or at least give the suggestion of a storyline, of people as characters that we care about, even if we don’t know all the details? Images resonate when they pique our imagination with hints to a deeper reality, beyond just a costume or a pretty face. A suspended moment in time reassures us that there is more to come, that something has happened or will happen, with promises of a complete ending.

Like a good song, photos should tell us a story, and leave us wondering,
wanting to know more.

11/30/14

Knight of the Green Realm

A friend since he was a kid, Jacob would sit in my kitchen and add knowledgeable commentary often above our “adult” conversations. He always knew a lot about vegetarian cooking, spices and herbs, or whatever new exotic roots I had found at the Farmer’s Market to try and scare him and his sister Lauren 🙂 We would sit and chop and I could always tell that he had a unique appreciation of the natural world and a curiosity uncommon for his age. As I watched him grow taller and taller, eventually topping out at 6′ 7″ so far, his intensely calm energy and knightly handsomeness led me to see him as this character. He is a natural model, willing to don his costume in good humor, for me as well as my workshop students, and he takes direction so well, even for very subtle adjustments, with an understanding of what I am seeing via the camera.

Jacob Hoyt as the Knight of the Green Realm portrait by Robin Davis Photography

SYMBOLISM of the SWORD:  In the spirit of the tarot card suit, the meaning here is of sharp mental consciousness, and action of the mind and intellect, that slices through illusion, emotion based beliefs and preconceptions. The KNIGHT of SWORDS himself is the vigilant champion of this truth, even if the realization is painful.

 

Jacob Hoyt Photo, Robin Davis Photography, The Third Eye Photo Workshops, lighting demonstration for St. Simons Island Workshop 2014

From my November Workshop – Late afternoon sunlight filters through Spanish Moss on St. Simons Island. No longer harsh, the lowering angle of the soft rays create long dramatic shadows and define the detail of the fine brocade of Jacob’s costume. Not only did we put him in character, into the mood of introspection before action, which plays so well across his face, we also placed him exactly where we wanted him, using the outdoors as our studio to direct and light our handsome actor model.

 

 

All text and images ©2014 Robin Davis

 

 

10/17/14

Photographs on Canvas?

WHEN IS IT APPROPRIATE?

all images ©2014 Robin Davis

Images that are full spectrum color, and straight forward examples of our every day views of modern reality are often jarring when combined with the texture of canvas, and give a feeling of incongruity.

When I set out to create a photograph I often try to keep in mind the way it will ultimately be printed and displayed. This foresight gives me the chance to make decisions up front, both with film and processing, as well as digital. The effects are produced entirely in camera, as the image is being made, and not later in post production.

These are four photographic images intentionally created with painterly lighting and texture, making them appropriate for archival canvas printing. The archival inks are enhanced and protected by a final varnish, and like paintings, are not matted or covered by glass. The feeling is completed with dramatic custom framing that complements the tonalities of each image.

To see the final framed images Click Here

 

Robin Davis Photography

GEISHA GARDEN – Taken just after sunset with one of the first digital cameras at a high ISO setting, back when realistic color and higher noise were considered problematic in low light, but here I love how it creates this stippled illustrative effect. This shot was also directed and composed to be like a scene and character from an old story book page. I also really like this one because it came out of the camera just this way and successfully emulated a high speed film I used long ago but could no longer get.

 

fruit, basket, bowl, cornucopia, italy workshops workshop class classes cortona center of photgraphy tuscany robin davis photography

STILL LIFE – Inspired by paintings we visited in Italy, this was set up as a demonstration for my Cortona Center of Photography students, and uses warm directional light, and the dappled texture of a very old flaking mirror.

 

Chimera 8x10

THE CHIMERA – Scanned from an old Polaroid transfer that turned out to have a very lucky textural effect. The Chimera is a composite animal and for me, she symbolizes protection and a calm but powerful sense of her own being. This image also prints beautifully at 30 x 40 inches.

 

Flapper 8x10 canvas FINAL

THE FLAPPER  – Is a symbol of her era, still colorful but with an electric light golden glow. The simplicity of shapes, patterns and angles and a simplified and limited color palette all work to make this image really sing.

 

 

All text and images ©2014 Robin Davis