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 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 5: Pretty girls Wander, 2011 Raymond Meeks
Figure 7: oxbow, Raymond Meeks
Figure 6: Pretty girls Wander, 2011 Raymond Meeks
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