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| World War II Canteen ©Lynne Buchanan |
As part of Sam Abell’s workshop, I took the train to
Albuquerque and back to photograph people and settings, something I typically
do not do. For some reason I could not
consciously identify, I went with a local resident and a few others to Old Albuquerque instead
of hanging around the train station with the rest of the group. When we got there, I was lost. Initially I felt it was quite touristy and I
couldn’t connect with anything I wanted to photograph. Feeling lost, I made my way to the main
square. I was drawn to a couple talking
to a Native American jeweler. I forgot
completely why I was there and sat down with them and began discussing stones
and symbols and their various healing properties. I sat there for about 45 minutes when
suddenly I remembered I was supposed to be photographing people.
Quite timidly I asked the couple if it would be okay to
photograph them. They graciously said
yes, which turned out to be very unusual for the man who was a work of art in
his own right and quite spiritual. His
partner had one of the most beautiful smiles I have ever seen and she turned
out to be a Sufi. I made a couple of
photographs of him and then I noticed this incredibly unusual canteen on the
ground. I asked him about it and it
turned out to be from World War II and was decorated with all these objects
that held great meaning for him. The
portrait I made of the canteen cradled within the framework of his crooked arm
really spoke to me about how objects are not just representations of memories
but often hold the power of those moments within their form. As soon as I made the image, I felt it was
successful, that it had conveyed both my emotional response to this object and
the care with which Markos tended this object.
Then Markos gave me an incredible gift.
He leaned over and kissed Murshida.
It was such a gentle gesture, filled with so much tenderness, humanity
and soulfulness.
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| The Kiss ©Lynne Buchanan |
After Markos and Murshida went on their way, I asked Renell,
the jeweler, if I could make a photograph of him, as he had created this space
where the special meeting came to pass.
Besides being a wonderful jeweler (I bought a pair of earrings from
him), he is also a very beautiful person with a quiet and strong presence. He said yes and then he too gave me another
very special gift. He stood up and
presented me with his essence, his eyes gazing slightly upward and to the left
with a wonderful catch light. As I
framed him and clicked the shutter button, I had the feeling that he was an
angel and I sensed our souls had connected for me to recognize this about
him. He took my hand and wished me safe
travels. Later, I emailed him the
photograph and told him that I felt more protected just knowing he sent me on
my way with such a blessing.
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| Renell ©Lynne Buchanan |
Markos, Murshida, and Renell all showed me that it is
possible to connect with human subjects and that when this happens much more
compelling images are created. The
experience made me realize that in fact I do love photographing people in the
right circumstances and when we have connected on a soul level. Later that day, we went to the horse races
and I was able to make another portrait that I was very happy with. We arrived at a race where a young jockey on
a horse decorated in pink and purple had just won. I saw the look of excitement on his face as
he was riding back towards the stalls.
He got off his horse and I sensed he was about to explode with joy as he
made his way to his friend, whose back was turned to me. I immediately framed the composition to
include the mountains and ensure that the figures would be higher than the
horizon. Although in this instance, I
had not personally spoken with my subject, I was able to catch the incredible
connection between him and his friend and connect with the uncensored emotion
that broke through. I was joyful and surprised like that when I won my age
group in a running race once, when I was in the flow and connected with
something larger than myself.
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| The Joy and Surprise of Victory ©Lynne Buchanan |
Two other images I made of people I didn’t know that day were
also quite successful and I realized that their success depended on my
emotional connection with the scene I was framing. The first photograph was of a bus at the
Albuquerque station. There is an image
of a man with his fist raised on the outside of the bus and dollar bills all
over. Inside the window, I saw the
profile of a man whose head was tilted downwards, as if he was consigned to go
off to work without really wanted to.
Having worked many years at jobs that did not really fit who I was
authentically, I could easily relate to this odd and telling juxtaposition.
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| Go Money ©Lynne Buchanan |
The other image was off a store in Nob Hill that had a bus
with a peace sign in the window. Having
grown up in the 1960’s, I instantly loved this building. Memories began to flood back and then two
girls walked up to it, one with purple hair and the scene was complete. When I made this image it was out of
playfulness and fun and a connection with my own past. I am so thrilled that the new inclusionary
path I am taking is allowing me to connect with the humanity of others and my
own…
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| Birdland ©Lynne Buchanan |
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| Tom Receiving Revelation in the Photographic Process ©Lynne Buchanan |
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