A number of months ago I was lucky enough to spend some time with Paul Martin while he appraised a 600 year old Japanese katana. Paul advises the British Museum's Japan department on swords. I chose a photocollage method of recording this time together to convey that there is a lot of movement within an activity that, on the surface, appears to be quite stationary.
I was impressed that the blade needed to be looked at very thoroughly, and over time, from multiple angles, in order that it's different qualities start to reveal themselves. I featured Paul's eyes reflected in the blades' surface, as while the blade is being looked at, it is in some way also looking back at the viewer; a relationship is taking place.
This relationship between sword and person, as best as I can tell, also stirs and awakens not just the intellectual aspect, but other additional currents. The body is depicted here as a collection of integrated parts, rather than a single static image, and a unified observing attention is conveyed by Paul's facial expression.
I'm looking for models to work with using this method, if you want to try something new, let me know
I was impressed that the blade needed to be looked at very thoroughly, and over time, from multiple angles, in order that it's different qualities start to reveal themselves. I featured Paul's eyes reflected in the blades' surface, as while the blade is being looked at, it is in some way also looking back at the viewer; a relationship is taking place.
This relationship between sword and person, as best as I can tell, also stirs and awakens not just the intellectual aspect, but other additional currents. The body is depicted here as a collection of integrated parts, rather than a single static image, and a unified observing attention is conveyed by Paul's facial expression.
I'm looking for models to work with using this method, if you want to try something new, let me know
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Yes, I did photography at uni many years ago. Well.. i did 2 years and then (by mutual agreement) i left... when i went there it was a fine art photography course but the year i started Paul Graham took over as the head of the department and it all changed to being very reportage which has just never been my thing and I did the student rebel thing and just clashed at them at every opportunity. Sadly now when i look back i realise what i threw away, it actually took away most of my creativity for years. I didn't really take any photos for many years afterwards when before i went to uni i was in the darkroom every hour i could be. Now, again i find myself rebelling and trying to work out how to become creative again and move from a techy job to something more rewarding and creative. ...on the other hand i might just be being stroppy mid life crisis man lol