The Hydromancer
Twas’ a frosty weekend’s photoshoot. 28 degrees air, and 48 degrees water with a brisk north breeze. No matter your pursuit or tolerance for cold or icy water, this was cold by any standard, especially for bare skin, submerged for 20 minutes. But winter water means clear water, and a clear winter sky in the Pacific Northwest means cold air. Jill summons up a strength seen in few that allows her the ability to steady herself and focus into the images. Put your head under water sometime in the above mentioned conditions, then show me a calm and focused look while you hold your breath, dive down, compose and do it again, and again, and again.
This series takes another step toward the ethereal. Lore. Myth. Magic. “The Hydromancer” is the title of one image, but really canvases them all at the same time.
The Hydromancer, lamp in hand, illuminates her path as she wanders the sea in search of kindred connection to both elements and life. She is seen here as both being silently observed, and as being aware of being seen....and thus inviting the viewer to join her in the abyss. Colors and tones also evoke connection to the primaries seen in the Lion's Mane jellyfish as seen from underwater.
We’ve shared a lot of ideas about the use of props for storytelling, themes and vibes to convey. But this shoot was essentially only Jill’s vision and direction: The lantern, the choice of colors and the stories behind the images to be captured.
We go over these ideas and concepts in the days leading up to a shoot. And then once on site and on shore, we talk through the ideas in more detail. Like, angles for shots, how close we will be (choice of lens), angles of light, etc. But once in the water, things always change. Currents, water clarity, sunlight - or in this instance, also buoyancy. This particular outfit was extremely hard to keep submerged and also tangled up in her legs making swimming difficult. So then we adjust accordingly - me swimming about looking for interesting angles or moments, while Jill does the hard work of staying composed in the middle of frigid chaos. Trying to look cool while your fight or flight reflexes are on active stand by is no easy task.
And final notes on this (and all of these.) Jill is not my “model.” She is my friend and my artistic collaborator. There is a difference. We make these photos together, the way a band makes music together. I don’t hire her to sit still and pose for a portrait. She has to work incredibly hard to make this look so seamless. So while I do compose, shoot and edit the photos - her role is extremely physical and creative in this. That’s what a collaboration is. It is doing the work together.
