Work in Progress
While working on my collection of images responding to the pandemic, the pandemic found ways to interfered with my work. From shut downs and shipping delays where I could not access the props I needed to shoot my ideas, to actually getting Covid myself and not being able to work at all. Even now that most of the work is shot the influence of Covid is still felt in the closure of the Logan Art Gallery, while they await spare parts stuck on a boat in China, thus the relocation of the gallery to a Pop Up Gallery in Logan West Community Centre, Hillcrest.
When Covid caught up with me, in the form of my eldest son returning from school camp, I tucked my positive test away knowing I wanted to create an image about it. As well as keeping my empty paracetamol packets, I kept the flowers Amy from Unveiling Poppy florist made for my solo exhibition at Woolloongabba Art Gallery. They had dried beautifully as they sat for the length of the exhibition and I nursed them home to my studio. I added to these some wilted red roses, because although I felt like death, I clearly didn’t die from Covid, and I wanted to convey that symbolically.
I’ve included a few behind the scenes images here on the process of actually taking the image.
A simple set up in my studio with a black sheet, natural light and tripod.
I take many, many images, making slight adjustments to the composition, props, lighting, focus, height and angle. I generally review the images, make more adjustments, then shoot again until I find the one that feels ‘right’. It is generally the last image I take.
Editing in Lightroom. I crop, adjust the warmth, texture and dodge and burn. I remove spots of dust. But I don’t composite images in Photoshop. The image is just as I shot it.
Progress on the piece. Lots more little finishing touches before being printed, signed, framed and hung.
This piece will be available to view for the first time at the Logan Art Gallery exhibition opening on the 29th of July.
I hope to see you there!