You Will Find Us On The River // A Year Gone By

in ,
 

"But first and foremost, Learned from Whitman that the poem is a temple - or a green field - a place to enter, and which to feel. Only in a secondary way is it an intellectual thing - an artifact, a moment of seemly and robust wordiness - wonderful as that part of it is I learned that the poem was made not just to exist, but to speak - to be company." - Mary Oliver, Upstream, 2016

Much like Oliver, I believe this to be true of photography, its process and the power of the final photograph. It's not just an object to look at; they are moments of exploration reflection and can be good company when hung on the walls of a home where they will live a long life and hopefully remind you of a time exploration, or even introduce you to a new world where you find connection and to yourself and others.

In particular, this project, You Will

Find Us On The River, embodies connection with self land and the friendships and bonds formed between women.

As a group of six women, we spend seven days on the river, disconnected from our daily lives, no service, just each other and a map to guide us down the river. Without the influence of everyday life, this lets us explore our connection to the land and water that majestically surround us. As we float further down the river, the canyon walls grow taller, we become smaller and reflect on not only the wildness surroundings us but the wildness within ourselves and how that can easily be forgotten, making it harder to listen to what is inside. However, this project, which is still a work in progress, aims to explore the process of reconnecting to the inner self and how the land helps us to do that, and by having a better understanding of self, we are better equipped to connect to others and form bonds that will last a lifetime.

Final Major Project // Project Development // Final thoughts // Moving Forward

in ,
Figure 1: Green River, UT Stevi McNeill

Figure 1: Green River, UT Stevi McNeill

Overall I am pleased with where Common Ground is for my Final Major Project submission. Now I find myself looking forward and where I want to go from here. I have gained a lot over the whole MA, but it has been the last six months that have had the most considerable impact on me. I feel like I have more direction, focus and a clear voice as a photographer and artist. 

I enthusiastically intended and to continue to explore the different avenues that Common Ground has presented to me personally professionally. 

One of my first projects / Collaborations is with Canyon Coffee, where I will be producing product and lifestyle photos of their coffee dyed Sweatshirt developed in a coffee developer that I have made. 

This has encouraged me to keep moving forward with Dust + Grit and expand, reach out to other companies that aline with what I am trying to create.

I also intended to keep experimenting with plant-based developers and hope to make them a sustainable and staple part of my process.

As mentioned in project development posts, I see the final book I produced easily being multiple books. I hope to spend some time making those books.

Moving into large format photography has been a long time coming. It has allowed me to be more direct and selective in how I produce my work and continues to push me into creating thoughtful and compelling imagery. 

I will be submitting work to PHmuseum, Anti-Bad, Foto Forum Santa Fe, Analog Forever and other opportunities I will also keep seeking out portfolio reviews continue to build my network. 

Final Major Project // Project Development // Common Ground The Book

in ,

After a few more edits, I finally have a completed book for Common Ground.  I cut a few photos from what I had in the dummy book and decided not to go with location title pages, it kept page count down, and I prefer the flow of the book without. 

Overall I am pleased with the outcome, but still think that at some point, I will explore the idea of making smaller books from this one. 

Figure 1: Photo Book, Stevi McNeill


I ended up printing through Artifact Uprising, as they had the quickest turnaround time and quality. 

Softcover

8.25x11 // 62 pg

Interior Paper: Mohawk Options 100% PCW White with matte finish 100% recycled

Cover Stock: Mohawk Superfine Eggshell 120lb.

 

Figure 2: Common Ground Book Video, Stevi McNeill

The full book can be viewed here

 

Final Major Project // 1:2:1 with Wendy McMurdo // November 25th 2020

in

Date of Supervision Meeting

25 November 2020

Start time of Meeting

8 am MST / 3pm GMT

Length of Meeting in minutes

30 minutes

Meeting Notes & Action Points

  • Went over first draft of FMP PDF.

  • Waiting on reviews of work to add into FMP PDF.

  • Make PDF of Book for ISSUU.

  • Need to start reaching out and networking.

  • Apply to open calls / have work ready to send to curators.

  • Keep up with portfolio reviews.

Date of Next Proposed Meeting   This was the final meeting before the final deadline. 

Final Major Project // Project Development // Gallery and Print Page

in ,

Along with the Book, I decided to have a few select prints. I chose to use three made later in the project as I feel it they most represent where I am now with my work. In addition to the book, I think that this extends my audience reach and interaction with my work.

I used a different platform from my website as it is easier for people to order and track their prints. For me, it's easy to manage orders and inventory.

With my chosen three prints, I decided only to have 15 of each available as I want to keep the number of prints released to a minimum.

Link to Print page

Figure 1: Screen Shot, Gallery and Print Page, 2020

Figure 1: Screen Shot, Gallery and Print Page, 2020

 

Final Major Project // Project Development // My final Image Selection

in ,

I was not intending on having as many final images. I was initially hoping to have a place for an exhibition with some large prints.

However, due to the current pandemic that was not realistic for me, so a book with a few select prints seemed to be the way to go for my final public outcome.

As I started going through my work and culling images for the book, I felt that having more of my images in there was the most authentic reflection of not just my work and progression of the past two years, but the first time I have been able to begin to understand how to visually communicate my seeking/explorations of my surroundings for myself, not just the audience.

So, for now, I am happy that I can offer this selection to an audience and use it for myself as a reflective piece that I can edit down as needed when I feel the time is right, as I do feel moving forward after the MA I many avenues to explore.

Figure 1: Finding the right layout, 2020, Mae Frances

Figure 1: Finding the right layout, 2020, Mae Frances

Final Major Project // Project Development // Instagram

in ,

For the past few weeks, I have gone through my prints and negatives, slowly narrowing down what my final book will be. I made a dummy book, which helped refine my selection to clearly portray my journey with this project. Below are screenshots from my Common Ground and Plant-based Developers highlights on Instagram where the audience can see more of how the project was developed.

Figure 1: instagram screenshots of book development, Stevi McNeill

Final Major Project // Project Development // Dummy Book

in
 

Figure 1: Book Layout Draft, Stevi McNeill

After making my photo selects, I have started making a dummy book. Having the images together in book form has given me a better sense of how they fit together to and how the book will flow.

Having photos together like this makes me feel that each section/ different area represented could be its own book, but for the sake of time and I think this is something I will explore at a later date.

The progression of images I feel is very fitting and fully represents my experiences in the last six months. The latter half of the book does have a different mood to it, and I did struggle with feeling content about putting those in, but again I want this to be more about the representation of my journey, and it fits to with that.

As I decided not to make more than one book at this time, I thought of adding chapter title pages to represent the area to give to notify the reader a shift in location, and possible ease the transition in mood towards the end of the book.

 

Figure 2: Book Layout Draft, Stevi McNeill

Final Major Project // Project Development // Working in large format

in

I decided to take my large format camera on the trip to capture some of the epic landscape and the beautiful people I was with. During the whole trip, I was able to keep my film dry and clean... until we got back to Colorado. When we got off the river, we discovered that due to wildfires Jamestown was under evacuation, and we ended up having to stay at a hotel. My film that was in a dry bag got left in the cooler, and somehow water got in.

I lost a few negatives, and some others were saved, but clearly, they have water damage. I was unsure what to expect from the ones I did manage to get developed, but overall I am quite pleased with the outcome, water damage and all. I feel like they fit nicely with the rest of my work, and add a little extra grit.

Over the next week or so, I will be doing a few more shoots scheduled with the 4x5, and I am eager to see how those turn out without any water damage or any other complications.

Figure 1: Green River Utah, 2020 Stevi McNeill

Figure 1: Green River Utah, 2020 Stevi McNeill

Figure 2: Green River Utah, 2020 Stevi McNeill

Figure 2: Green River Utah, 2020 Stevi McNeill

Figure 4: Emma, Green River Utah, 2020 Stevi McNeill

Figure 4: Emma, Green River Utah, 2020 Stevi McNeill

Figure 6: Mae, Green River Utah, 2020 Stevi McNeill

Figure 6: Mae, Green River Utah, 2020 Stevi McNeill

Figure 3: Green River Utah, 2020 Stevi McNeill

Figure 3: Green River Utah, 2020 Stevi McNeill

Figure 5: Lucy, Green River Utah, 2020 Stevi McNeill

Figure 5: Lucy, Green River Utah, 2020 Stevi McNeill

Figure 7: Katy, Green River Utah, 2020 Stevi McNeill

Figure 7: Katy, Green River Utah, 2020 Stevi McNeill

 
Figure 8: Under developed negatives 2020 Stevi McNeill

Figure 8: Under developed negatives 2020 Stevi McNeill

The first set of 4x5 negatives did not turn out. I did not have any black and white developer, but I did have some kale developer. The negatives needed to stay in the kale developer 15-30mins longer. Overall it was a good experience getting the camera out and figuring out a system.

For scanning the negatives, I am using the intrepid enlarger, and a copy stand with my digital camera. So far, the process is simple and, the negatives have converted easily in Lightroom.

Figure 9 : Scanning negatives 2020 Stevi McNeill

Figure 9 : Scanning negatives 2020 Stevi McNeill

Final Major Project // Project Development // Book Layout

in ,

I have spent a day with some of my prints, getting started on my book layout. It has given me a lot of clarity on my project overall. I have been putting this off because I have waiting to be done with specific shoots and felt that I would be more focused and ready to give this proper consideration and time that it needs, and that was the case.

It has allowed me to see more of the missing pieces. I need to add in more environmental still-life and a few of the 4x5 prints from my last trip and a few more portraits.

Along with the book, I want to have a few selected images printed. I think that expands the connection with the audience; it allows for more of a relationship with chosen images that I want to highlight.

As I reflect on the work I have produced so far, I release that I have been trying to find my place here (in America) for a long time, but now, as I spend time with my work and I am able to reflect on what that means to me more so than ever these past few weeks. I am learning to be okay with not having to fit into a particular way of life or question my place here. Instead, I have let go ( at least started to ) of holding on to a specific idea of how my life should play out. This has kept me at a distance, I have not truly allowed my self to embrace being here.

Now, I am allowing my self to be here and allowing life to unfold and settling into it until the next adventure comes around.

Looking at my work laid out like this, I feel that it reflects that. I start with shooting very much at a distance, more landscape, fewer people- trying to figure out and connect with my space, still feeling much like a visitor. Towards the end, I am embracing my surrounds and the people within them. Something I want to continue to do.

Figure 1: Book layout, Stevi McNeill

Figure 1: Book layout, Stevi McNeill

Figure 2: Book layout, 2020 Stevi McNeill

Figure 3: Digital Book layout, 2020 Stevi McNeill

I have also started to get digital mock-ups and layout going. I have started to play around with cropping a lot more. I notice the design changed a bit when I started cropping. Will be making more edits in the next few days when I have more film developed.


Inspirations:

Parts of Piraha-Zine by Jose Houdini inspires me. The flow of the first two spreads is very intriguing to me.

Pretty girls Wander by Raymond Meeks. I'm drawn to most of Meeks works. His hand made journal esque style books are in tune with what I want to produce. Though I don't think I have allowed myself enough time to execute this in the way, I hoped. In pretty girl wander, he introduces colour images alongside his black and white. I have also done this and thinks is brakes up the dense black and white images at times. It also adds in a slightly different mood and intrigue.

Figure 4: Piraha-Zine Jose Houdini

Figure 4: Piraha-Zine Jose Houdini

Figure 5: Pretty girls Wander, 2011 Raymond Meeks

Figure 5: Pretty girls Wander, 2011 Raymond Meeks

Figure 7: oxbow, Raymond Meeks

Figure 7: oxbow, Raymond Meeks

Figure 6: Pretty girls Wander, 2011 Raymond Meeks

Figure 6: Pretty girls Wander, 2011 Raymond Meeks

Figure 8: Pretty girls Wander, 2011 Raymond Meek

Figure 8: Pretty girls Wander, 2011 Raymond Meek

 
 

References :

Jose Houdini, Piraha-Zine https://www.behance.net/gallery/57010211/Piraha-Zine-Plata-Collection

Raymond Meeks http://www.raymondmeeks.com/archive/oxbow

Final Major Project // Contextual Research// Drowned River: The Death & Rebirth of Glen Canyon on the Colorado

in ,

After coming back from the river trip, I was introduced to Drowned River: The Death & Rebirth of Glen Canyon on the Colorado by author Rebecca Solnit and photographers Mark Klett and Bryon Wolfe.

The project investigates climate change and how photography can be used as a means to communicate and document the effects we have on the environment. Much like what I wish to convey in my work, it also explores what it means to get to know a place and understand our connection with it. I feel like my images from the green river trip is a dipper dive into this as it shows more human interaction with the land compared to the rest of the work I have produced so far. It's also a reflection of my personal experiences in a similar landscape as Glen Canyon; it's a deeper reflection on these matters. My contribution to the effects we have on the environment and, how I want to deepen my understanding of self and place to communicate better on how we can make a difference.

figure 1: Drowned River: The Death & Rebirth of Glen Canyon on the Colorado, 2018, Mark Klett & Byron Wolfe

figure 1: Drowned River: The Death & Rebirth of Glen Canyon on the Colorado, 2018, Mark Klett & Byron Wolfe

Figure 2: Drowned River: The Death & Rebirth of Glen Canyon on the Colorado, 2018, Mark Klett & Byron Wolfe

Figure 2: Drowned River: The Death & Rebirth of Glen Canyon on the Colorado, 2018, Mark Klett & Byron Wolfe

Final Major Project // Project Development // The Green River

in ,

Mid October I was able to spend some time on the Green River in Utah.

I spent five incredible days with four others. As I have never made this trip before, I was not sure what to expect, but as I have been to Utah many times, I had an idea of what to expect from the landscape. Though with this trip, I wanted to focus on creating images of people and their experience during this trip.

Overall I feel like I was able to achieve how we experienced the trip and the beauty of the land and river we spent time on.

Figure 1: Green River, UT 2020, Stevi McNeill

Figure 1: Green River, UT 2020, Stevi McNeill

 

Figure 2: Green River, UT 2020, Stevi McNeill

 
Figure 8: Green River, UT 2020, Stevi McNeill

Figure 8: Green River, UT 2020, Stevi McNeill

Figure 9: Green River, UT 2020, Stevi McNeill

Figure 9: Green River, UT 2020, Stevi McNeill

 
Figure 10: Green River, UT 2020, Stevi McNeill // 40 years expired E6 film

Figure 10: Green River, UT 2020, Stevi McNeill // 40 years expired E6 film

 

I was mostly shooting black and white 35mm and 4x5 Black and white, but I also took some expired kodak Ektachrome 400 and was not expecting much, but I think that the muted colours and distortion of the film fit perfectly with the black and white images. I have wanted to add more colour to my work but felt the images I made in colour previously have not fitted with my black and whites. However with these photos I think the colours muted enough to fit nicely alongside my black and white images. I am excited to possibly try another roll of the film and see what comes of it, as I would like to have more colour options to add into the final cut of my book.

Figure 11: Green River, UT 2020, Stevi McNeill // 40 year expired E6 film

Final Major Project // Contextual Research //Group Critique with Dinu Li

in ,

This morning I had a group critique session, and very much enjoyed the feedback from Dinu and others in the session. As I have not been able to easily connect with other students often during the last few months, it was lovely to see how people have been progressing. 

During the session, Dinu brought up the series Réunion by Marie-Pierre Cravedi. Instantly I was drawn in by her ability to tell an individual story and highlight the discomfort that comes from exploring your own life. Though Cravedi mainly focuses on family dynamics, she creates beautiful images that are slightly off centre and ambiguous leaving the viewer looking for answers that to questions that may not be completely clear. 

I feel like there is a similar theme in Common Ground. I have an idea of the questions and interests I have and want to explore and have spent time figuring out where to start, and common ground reflects that. This project may not be a seamless narrative, but I will have it at a point where it demonstrates my current position of self and my connection with my surroundings, which like Réunion a little awkward and moving at its own pace.  

Figure 1 : Réunion, Marie-Pierre Cravedi

Figure 1 : Réunion, Marie-Pierre Cravedi

Figure 2 : Réunion, Marie-Pierre Cravedi

Figure 2 : Réunion, Marie-Pierre Cravedi

Figure 3 : Réunion, Marie-Pierre Cravedi

Figure 3 : Réunion, Marie-Pierre Cravedi

Final Major Project // Contextual Research // Tacita Dean

in ,

I came across the work of Tacita Dean recently, and I was intrigued by her work. In particular, Hünengrab, 2008 and Urdolmen II, 2009 

in some ways, they remind me of Unnamed Roads by Jungjin Lee they have a similar stillness and sense of isolation to them and focused on objects. I have been trying to bring still-life or a sense of it into my work, but have not yet found a way to do so that I like. 

However, when I think about objects I find or are around during my travels, I very much think about creating images that isolate and highlight them at their location, much like Figure 3. I feel this adds a little more attention and information to parts of the place I am in and exploring.

Figure 1 : Tacita Dean Urdolmen II, 2009Blackboard paint on black and white fibre-based photograph mounted on paper88 1/4 x 175 5/8 in. (224 x 446 cm)

Figure 1 : Tacita Dean Urdolmen II, 2009

Blackboard paint on black and white fibre-based photograph mounted on paper

88 1/4 x 175 5/8 in. (224 x 446 cm)

Figure 2: Tacita Dean Hünengrab, 2008Blackboard paint, fibre-based print mounted on paper93 3/4 x 179 1/2 in. (238 x 456 cm)(12400)

Figure 2: Tacita Dean Hünengrab, 2008

Blackboard paint, fibre-based print mounted on paper

93 3/4 x 179 1/2 in.
(238 x 456 cm)

(12400)

Figure 3: Lake superior, MI, Stevi McNeill

Figure 3: Lake superior, MI, Stevi McNeill

Final Major Project // Project Development // Michigan

in ,
 
Figure 1: Lake Superior, Michigan, Stevi McNeill 2020

Figure 1: Lake Superior, Michigan, Stevi McNeill 2020

 

Mid-September we spent some time in the upper peninsula of Michigan on the property of family friends. I have never been up there before and found it to be absolutely beautiful. The land has been in the family since the early 1900s and comes with a rich history. It was a girls camp that opened in 1914. It was owned and ran by Helen and J.B. Ross, two sisters that wanted to empower young women in a time when that was not encouraged. They wanted to create a space where they could learn and grow into capable, confident women.

I was lucky to sit down with Don and Julia (current owners) and went through the beautiful photo albums and videos of the camp and heard more about the history, experiences and the life that Helen and J.B. wanted to create for young women. Something that I value and appreciate very much, as my this project started with a desire and urge to discover more about my history and heritage.

As this project develops, it is more apparent to me that I am documenting my personal journey in finding my connections to the land, my community and how I live my life here. Every trip I make is a way of connecting with myself, the people in my life and gaining a deeper understanding of what it all means to me. All my images are small refections of the moments that contribute to a deeper understanding of what's important to me and is helping me to find a foundation to speak for other things I that matter to me.

Figures 2: Upper Peninsula Michigan, Stevi McNeill, 2020

As I reflect on the images I made during this trip, I am pleased with how they turned out. I have wanted to focus more on human-made structures rather than just the landscape, and I felt I had the perfect opportunity on this trip to do that. I think that by adding in more structures and objects helps balance the narrative that I am trying to convey, I feel that it fills in the gaps I was missing in my work.

Other things I wanted to consider during this trip was shooting in colour.

 I have been working mostly in black and white but wanted to see what results and how I would feel about having some colour images in the final outcome. Overall I liked how some of the colour photos came out and will consider shooting more, but prefer the atmosphere of the black and white images. 

The other thing I wanted to experiment with was photographing objects ( mostly rock and sticks etc.) at the location I find them - see figure 1 Somewhat inspired by Angela Blažanović as I find myself not always having the time to set up the still lifes back at home. I like the idea of showing the full circle of people, place and object. Unforantly I did not get as many of those images as I wanted, but moving forward I would like to incorporate them more. 

Figures 14: The Sauna, Upper Peninsula Michigan, Stevi McNeill, 2020

Figures 14: The Sauna, Upper Peninsula Michigan, Stevi McNeill, 2020

Figures 15: The Sauna, Upper Peninsula Michigan, Stevi McNeill, 2020

Final Major Project // Contextual Research // The Photo Book

in ,

For my final outcome, I have decided to produce a photo book with COVID still effecting larger social events. I will also be creating an online gallery where my work will be viewed and accessed freely by the audience. 


I have looked into making my Coptic Stitch book, but I do not feel that I have left my self enough time to do that, So I will find a printer to provide my book for me, but fear I will not have much control the spread options and layouts. 


Some of the printers I have looked at so far are 

Artifact Uprising 

Papier

Smartpress


I was not impressed with Papier. I felt it was very limited and did not allow me to have too much control over my layout. 


Smartpress allows for the flexibility over layout and page count, but the price was a little more than I wanted. But as I would get 10-15 books in one order, this is still an option, and I would have a stock of my books, instead of making to order. 


Artifact Uprising is a happy medium. The style and quality of the books are the closest to what I want to produce, and they have flexible layout options. The price point is a little higher than I want, but I happy to consider them still. 



Final Major Project // 1:2:1 with Wendy McMurdo // September 30th 2020

in ,

Had another good meeting with Wendy this morning. As I have been on the road quite a bit a shooting, I have not have had a lot of time to decompress, organize my project and properly reflect on where my project is now. Todays meting helped with airing out a lot of my thoughts and how I want to continue to move forward.

Date of Supervision Meeting

  30.9.20

Start time of Meeting

 3 pm BST/8 am MST

Length of Meeting in minutes

 45 mins 

Meeting Notes & Action Points

  •  Check back in with my intent.

  • Consider my missing pieces, think about how I am putting the narrative together. Don't be afraid to make it more personal.  

  •  Start thinking about the final outcome (Book).

  •  Draft zine.

  • Plan shoot in Utah.

  • Bring new work to next meeting to review with Wendy. 

Date of Next Proposed Meeting

TBD

Final Major Project // Project Development // prints

in ,

This past week I have started laying out my images and reflecting on what I have done so far, what is working and what I am missing, and considering how I will move forward. Overall I feel like I have been heading in a good direction, but feel I need to start focusing on how I am going to fit everything together which means revisiting my original proposal and intentions as a reference point. At this point, I feel like my intent with this project has not changed, but that I have started to be loose some of the unnecessary layers.

I have also started considering how the still life images of found objects fit with my landscapes and feel that there is room to improve here, each set is a little too different from each other making it hard to find a place for the still lifes among the other images. Maybe I will start to photograph my objects at the location where I find them.