Past Youth: Vantage Point

The first image that I chose to print was a Vantage Point shot of lichen growing on the rope of my hammock.  I chose this photo because it was in focus, had no light problems, and was an intriguing image to look at.  This image demonstrated a unique vantage point because it is not every day that you get that close to the hammock to look at the lichen growing on it.  I also used the wooden bar on the top of the hammock to create an interesting look to the photo, adding a distinct diagonal line, and a contrasting solidity to the wild feather-like material of the lichen, and the loose twists and knots of the rope.

For me, the printing was somewhat frustrating, but I had done it before and expected that it would go as it did.  It took at least tries to get my test strip in the right range, let alone the photo itself.  I have to say that the process of finding the right light, counting over the obnoxious beeping of the timer, and then bathing the print in each of the solutions was fairly monotonous. 

In the final print, I had to burn the photo, essentially everywhere but the focused area.  It was difficult to multitask at first, but in the end it turned out well.  This made the areas that were too light to begin with darker, giving the photo a more even feel.

I really like how the final print turned out.  The only thing that surprised me was how little of the photo was in focus; I didn’t expect it to be such a small area.  There was no real “hidden meaning” in my mind when taking the photo, so the overall meaning could be translated in many different ways.  One way you may look at it is the growth that is forming out of the decay of another.  It may also symbolize the absence of rest, and the fast, fluid movement of life, since the hammock is obviously hardly used.  I have titled this photo “Past Youth” to either make the viewer think of the life the hammock may have had when the family was younger, or to symbolize how quickly life passes by us.