Artist Statement
Artist Statement - The Essence of Place
The idea of place intrigues me. Why do places look and feel as they do? What factors have contributed to the scenes that unfold before us? These are the questions that form the basis of my photographic work and guide me in my quest for the essence of place.
In the Paul Strand tradition, I search out the essence of the various places I visit, not through the tourist attractions, but rather in the milieu of everyday man. As a visitor, I realize that I must spend significant periods of time in the places I photograph to let the environment and life flow around me. Only with time and exploration can I hope to find the soul of a place.
The factors that have created present-day environments - climate, geography, custom, history and economic conditions - are numerous and interwoven in complex ways. The relationships that have resulted from the mixing of these components over time represent, to me, the essence of place. Portraying these relationships photographically in a manner where patterns are simplified while complexities are revealed is my goal.
To meet this challenge I am currently working with the panoramic format. I find that its broader scope and more inclusive nature provide a greater visual context that helps me express my vision more clearly.
Jim Blomfield
