It felt somewhat familiar to me, this jovial and sentimental gathering of friends. Family and seldom-seen acquaintances alike would trade handshakes and hugs, for this night was about nothing other than recalling that which made them similar. It was a warm August evening in LInville, North Carolina, sun setting brilliantly beneath the mountain. I watched and listened to these people, rich in wealth and humor, feeling as though I had begun to completely understand.
I wanted, however to be invisible. For, in cases like these, that is the way I see my job. In order to gather the absolute best images, I must be perfectly there, yet perfectly invisible. I am essentially a benevolent voyeur, silently watching the goings on around me with the intent on capturing and keeping them. If I’m too close, I will ruin the moment. If I’m too far, I will miss the moment. This kind of job is about balance. Too many photographers, I believe, do not recognize the importance of this concept. Ultimately, it is the unforeseen and unplanned moments that turn out to be the most important, these moments being the ones I hope to capture.
The Fancy Dress Ball in Linville was a perfect exercise in this process - an understanding invisibility.
I am looking forward to working with my friends from Eseeola Lodge on more exciting and rewarding projects.
Hi, you might be interested in our blog “A View to Hugh,” which deals with processing the Hugh Morton photo collection at UNC-Chapel Hill. I just published a post (linked to this post) called “What is the Fancy Dress Ball?” and I would love some help with that question!
Also, I have to ask, how did you do that wonderful slide show function in the post “Brian and Shea”?
thanks! - Elizabeth Hull