As a photographer deeply immersed in the poignant journey of grief, I have found a unique solace and expression in the arms of nature. In my current project Pictorial Whispers, I intertwine the intimate process of grieving with the art of photography, particularly focusing on nature and trees through the 19th-century Pictorialist style.
Central to this journey is the Kübler-Ross model of grief, a framework that has guided my emotional voyage and shaped the thematic essence of my photographic work.
In this article, I share the creative direction of where I am heading with my photography.
I use the Pictorialist style aesthetic in my photography to express the five stages of grief for its unique ability to convey emotion and create a dreamlike, timeless quality. Pictorialism, with its soft focus, ethereal lighting, and emphasis on mood and atmosphere, perfectly aligns with the emotional journey of grief. This style allows me to depict each stage – denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance – in a deeply expressive and symbolic manner. I use metaphors to connect my tools, methods, and workflows to my project narrative.
In denial, the ethereal ambiguity of Pictorialism mirrors the surreal nature of initial grief. The style’s softness and dreamlike quality reflect the numbing shock and disbelief experienced in this phase. During anger, the stark contrasts and intense visuals characteristic of Pictorialism capture the turmoil and intensity of emotions. For bargaining, the searching, yearning aspects of the images, still within the soft boundaries of Pictorialism, symbolize a longing for what was lost.
In depicting depression, the solitude and introspective moodiness of the style resonate with the isolation and overwhelming sadness of this stage. Finally, in acceptance, Pictorialism’s harmonious interplay of light and nature illustrates a serene reconciliation with loss, highlighting a peaceful, almost serene acceptance and a reconnection with the natural world.
Thus, Pictorialism, with its artistic flexibility and emotional depth, serves as an ideal medium to visually narrate the complex and deeply personal journey through the stages of grief.
Come with me behind the scenes in the field and my darkroom as I create my latest plates and handmade prints. Whether you are technical and want access to my Darkroom Diary notes and formulas or an art buyer who wants a personal connection with me, I have you covered and am excited to learn more about you.
Stages of Grief & Photography
Denial: Ethereal Beginnings
The first stage of grief, denial, is an opportunity for expression through my lens through mist-laden landscapes or early morning dews on leaves. I spend a lot of time in nature, just being still, thinking about Abby, and using these raw emotions to guide me toward my next photograph.
In these scenes, the soft focus and ethereal quality characteristic of Pictorialism echo the disbelief and numbing shock of loss. These types of images, often captured in the dim light of dawn, represent an attempt to grasp the ungraspable, portraying nature in a state of dreamy ambiguity, much like the initial phase of grief where reality seems distant and surreal.
This is still a work in progress for me, but I try to remain open and work my way through the process.
Anger: Stark Contrasts and Turbulent Skies
As I explore the stage of anger, my photographs are reflecting a stark contrast and turmoil. I am seeking natural scenes that embody this tumult – the gnarled branches of trees against a backdrop of stormy skies, or the chaotic dance of leaves in a gust of wind. These images, still rendered in the Pictorialist style, maintain a certain sharpness and intensity, mirroring the inner turmoil and the burning sense of injustice and rage accompanying this phase of grief.
Bargaining: Searching and Yearning
In the bargaining phase, my photography is taking on a searching quality. I am finding myself drawn to pathways winding through forests and sunbeams piercing through canopies, symbolizing a yearning for answers and a longing for a return to what once was. These compositions, though still maintaining the softness of the Pictorialist approach, conveyed a sense of movement and searching, reflecting the inner turmoil of negotiating with the pain of loss.
Depression: Solitude in the Shadows
The overwhelming sadness of the depression stage is driving me to photograph solitary landscapes, often featuring a single tree standing alone in a vast, empty space. Light and shadow are becoming more pronounced, with the Pictorialist style lending a moody, introspective quality to the images. These photographs spoke of isolation, the weight of sorrow, and the deep introspection that comes with this stage of grief.
Acceptance: Serenity and Reconnection
Finally, in the acceptance stage, I expect my photography to be imbued with a sense of peace and serenity. I will initially focus on the harmonious interplay of light and nature, capturing tranquil waters, gentle horizons, and trees in full bloom. While still retaining the soft, dreamlike quality of Pictorialism, these images exuded a sense of reconciliation and peace, reflecting an acceptance of loss and a newfound connection with the natural world.
Through this project, the Kübler-Ross model is serving as a guide to help me express my personal grief but also a blueprint for artistic expression. Each stage of grief, articulated through the lens of Pictorialist photography, is allowing me to delve deeper into my emotions, using nature as a canvas to portray the complex journey of mourning. In capturing the transient beauty of nature, I find not only a tribute to my loss but also a path towards healing and understanding.
Come with me behind the scenes in the field and my darkroom as I create my latest plates and handmade prints. Whether you are technical and want access to my Darkroom Diary notes and formulas or an art buyer who wants a personal connection with me, I have you covered and am excited to learn more about you.
Your work is positively outstanding!