A PORTRAIT OF A CITY'S LEGACY
With this photographic project, I embarked on a journey to explore and celebrate Ballarat’s beauty and grandeur. Ballarat is a city rich in history and culture, with unique architectural landmarks and natural features that set it apart from other cities. My goal was to capture the essence of this vibrant city and bring its soul to life through my images.
As I walked through the empty streets every morning for six months, I was struck by the sense of isolation and solitude that permeated the city. However, precisely this atmosphere allowed me to showcase the city’s beauty and character in a unique way. By focusing on the buildings, landmarks, and natural features, I aimed to capture the city’s distinct atmosphere that reflects its past and present. The architecture in Ballarat is a testament to its rich history, with buildings dating back to the Victorian era. The grandeur and elegance of these structures are awe-inspiring and provide a glimpse into the city’s legacy. However, it is not just the grandeur of the architecture that makes Ballarat special. The natural features close to the city, such as Lake Wendouree and the Botanical Gardens, provide a rare serene environment for a city of this size. Through my photographs, I aim to bring attention to the beauty and character of Ballarat that often goes unnoticed.
The empty streets, quiet corners and laneways that I captured evoke a mood that is both contemplative and peaceful, allowing the viewer to appreciate what they may have overlooked in their everyday lives. Ultimately, my goal is to provide a portrait of the city’s legacy, a celebration of its past and present, and a story reflecting the journey of life and lives lived.
In conclusion, Echoes Of Silence is a celebration of Ballarat’s beauty, history, and character as much as it is an invitation to explore the city’s soul and appreciate the stories often hidden in plain sight.
IMMERSIVE REALISATION
“A Hands-on Photographic Journey”
Further to the concept behind the Echoes Of Silence project, I wanted to recreate the experience of the image-making and editing process to allow the viewer to immerse themselves in my photographic journey. My workflow is a labour of love that goes beyond the capture and editing phase to bring my artistic vision to life. I take pride in handling every aspect of the process to ensure my images represent my creative expression.
As we delve deeper into the digital world, a tactile approach has become increasingly important and the reason I write about and print my work.To create an immersive experience for this project, I utilised acrylic face-mounting to showcase my images and created a 64 page premium magazine to tell the story behind them. The magazine can be purchased from our online shop.
Acrylic face-mounting not only preserves the integrity of the original photograph but also lends a unique depth and clarity to the image. I set out to achieve a representation of my photographs that closely mirrors how I see them through the viewfinder and during editing. This technique brings my vision to life, allowing viewers to behold my photographs with the same emotional resonance that inspired their creation.
In conclusion, my photographic process is an amalgamation of creativity, dedication, and a desire to evoke emotions that resonate with both myself and my audience. By personally investing in each step of the journey, from capturing the image to printing and face mounting it to acrylic, I strive to offer an authentic and immersive encounter with my photographic art. Through this hands-on approach, I invite viewers to share in the emotions that fuel my creative vision, bringing my images to life in a way that transcends the boundaries of the digital world.
Below are some images from the Echoes Of Silence Exhibition.
Putting this project together has been an absolute joy! It’s funny to think that when I first started documenting my mornings around the streets, I never intended to create something like this. At the time, it was just about exploring the unique architecture that Ballarat has to offer and getting to know the city better.
But as an early riser, it made sense to take advantage of the quiet streets and experience the changing light. As the seasons shifted and daylight savings kicked in, I found myself starting as early as 4am by mid-December. And let me tell you, it was worth the effort! I was able to witness some truly breathtaking sunrises and atmospheric conditions that I would never have seen otherwise.
Of course, there were also plenty of foggy, rainy, and windy mornings – not to mention the endless overcast days that I affectionately refer to as “grey hour” (even in the middle of summer!). But as the year has gone on, my early morning photo sessions have continued without fail. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to share it with all of you.
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