Life’s Work, Part VI

Life’s Work, Part VI Jill, Police Officer

As a portrait photographer, I am always interested in people and their expressions. For this project, which I consider to be a continuation of one Irving Penn began in 1950, I am also looking at how the work people do has changed. Our little town of Plymouth, New Hampshire has five female police officers. Penn probably would not have been able to find one when he began this project in Paris 1950.

Jill, police officer, Plymouth, NH.

You can see Parts I-V by clicking the links below:

http://maundymitchell.com/lifes-work-part-i/

http://maundymitchell.com/lifes-work-part-ii/

http://maundymitchell.com/lifes-work-part-iii/

http://maundymitchell.com/lifes-work-part-iv/

http://maundymitchell.com/lifes-work-part-v/

Life’s Work, Part V Don, Barber

One of my favorite quotes is by Henry David Thoreau: “Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other’s eyes for an instant?” As this project continues, my favorite expressions are the same ones I am drawn to in the portraits by Irving Penn from his similar project of nearly seventy years ago. They convey a pride in work, whatever the work is. A grin or a frown is easy to interpret. It is all of the other expressions that invite us to look even closer. And a closer look often results in empathy, which brings people closer together. We need more of that these days.

Don, barber, Plymouth, NH

You can see Parts I-IV of Life’s Work by clicking the links below:

http://maundymitchell.com/lifes-work-part-i/

http://maundymitchell.com/lifes-work-part-ii/

http://maundymitchell.com/lifes-work-part-iii/

http://maundymitchell.com/lifes-work-part-iv/

Life’s Work, Part IV Fred, Tree Cutter

This project is about working people and the evolution of trades and professions. “Life’s Work” was inspired by Irving Penn’s similar project of nearly seventy years ago. You can read more about this in Parts I – III, here:

http://maundymitchell.com/lifes-work-part-i/

http://maundymitchell.com/lifes-work-part-ii/

http://maundymitchell.com/lifes-work-part-iii/

Yes, that was me carrying a chainsaw up the street to my studio!

Fred, tree cutter, Plymouth, NH

Life’s Work, Part III Mary Francis, Minister

This is Part III of a personal portrait project about people and their work. It’s also about the evolution of trades and professions. “Life’s Work” was inspired by Irving Penn’s similar project of nearly seventy years ago. You can read more about this in Parts I and II, here: http://maundymitchell.com/lifes-work-part-i/ and here: http://maundymitchell.com/lifes-work-part-ii/

Mary Francis, minister, Plymouth, NH.

Life’s Work, Part II Jim, Mail Carrier

This is Part II of a personal portrait project that is as much about social history as it is art. My inspiration for this project was a similar one by Irving Penn, which he did nearly 70 years ago. You can read more about this, as well as some other thoughts about it, in Part I, here: http://maundymitchell.com/lifes-work-part-i/

Jim, mail carrier, Plymouth, NH.

Life’s Work, Part I Regina, Farmer

This project is inspired by Irving Penn’s 1950-51 portrait project he called “Small Trades,” (which was inspired by another photographer before him.) My intention, like Penn’s was, is to photograph people in their work clothes with the tools of their trades.

These projects have a lot in common—they are a sort of social history, combined with art. Much of my work is driven by a fascination with the human expression. That’s one reason I am choosing to work in the studio with the same backdrop for each of these subjects in this project. When I remove their work environment, I create an equality. I also remove distractions, and the result is more focus on the person. The same goes for working in black & white—by removing the element of color—by working simply with shadows and highlights— I can place a greater focus on expression.

This is Regina, farmer, Longview Farm, Plymouth, New Hampshire.

You can see Part II of this project, here: http://maundymitchell.com/lifes-work-part-ii/

Eleven

My son turns eleven today. These are a few portraits I made of him the other day, before I decided to get in the picture with him. At this age, he knows how he wants to look, and he chose his wardrobe. I love his style!

Exist in Photos

This is a portrait of my son David and me. He’s turning eleven so I took some portraits of him. When we finished, I tried to think of a single photo of the two of us. All I could recall were old ones (really old ones!). Why? Because I tend to stay behind the camera. After all, I’m wearing old clothes, I’m not wearing makeup, I’m…I’m…
The result is lots of family photos–without me in them! So I set up the camera’s timer. I said to him, “You know how much I love you?” He said, “Yup.” And then, “Love you too, mom.”
Then the shutter released. Now we have this. Forever. Old clothes, no makeup and all.
Whatever you’re doing this weekend, I hope you have fun, and don’t forget to get in the picture!

Portraits, Projections & Dance New Experimental Work

I recently had the pleasure of collaborating with dancer Amanda Whitworth and scenic and lighting designer Matt Kizer to create portraits that combine dance and projections with portraiture. Here is some of what we created.
Dancer with Projected Bat Wings ©2016 Maundy Mitchell
Portrait with Wasp Projection ©2016 Maundy Mitchell
Corner Portrait with Projected Shadows ©2016 Maundy Mitchell

Amanda Whitworth is the Director of Dance at Plymouth State University, and has her own dance company, Tributary Dance.

Matt Kizer is a Professor of Theatre, Theatre Design and Technology (the resident Scenic & Lighting Designer) for Plymouth State University. More about Matt and his work here: http://scenicandlighting.com

NH Photography Studio Behind the Scenes_0006.jpg

NH Photography Studio Behind the Scenes_0007.jpg

Personal Travel Photos France, Part III

Last month, I traveled to Paris for a portrait photography workshop with Sue Bryce. I arrived in time to spend half a day exploring the neighborhood of Montmartre.
Montmartre-Statue-Eiffel-Tower-View_0055

After the workshop, Versailles.

Back to Paris for one more day.

I got to hand-feed pigeons at Notre Dame Cathedral. Photos thanks to Rebecca Wipp Ovin.

Paris Street

Two Views of the Eiffel Tower_0059

Statue-Lion-Eiffel-Tower-Black-and-White-Paris_0046.jpg

You can see France, Parts I and II here http://maundymitchell.com/a-better-way-to-do-travel-photos/ and here http://maundymitchell.com/france-part-ii/.