PhotoWork 2
Continuing with a second post on the questions asked to photographers in the book: PhotoWork: Forty Photographers on Process and Practice (Aperture, edited by Sasha Wolf).
7. How do you know when a body of work is completed?
In earlier days this was very tough for me. Mostly I didn't and often was so into a particular way of seeing and working I didn't want to give it up. I also often was depressed when a series was done and hadn't found something new yet. This is better now as I am more disciplined and also more familiar with the ups and downs of my particular way of making art.
8. Have you ever had a body of work that was created in the editing process?
Yes, perhaps this is most pervasive in editing aerial work. Over hundreds of frames shot each time I go up, it isn't until I am editing files that I get to see what I've done then work to bring cohesion by choosing various streams or series.
9. Do you associate your work with a particular genre of photography? If yes, how would you define that genre?
Modernist and minimalistic. I was born just post-WW II and much of that era's design, architecture, art and music had a large influence on me.
10. Do you ever revisit a series that has already been exhibited or published to shoot more and add to it?
No.
11. Do you ever revisit a series that has already been exhibited or published and reedit it?
No.
12. Do you create with presentation in mind, be that a gallery show or a book?
Sometimes. It can't help play with your head when a prestigious show is on the books a year or two down the line. Will this be in, will this new work make it into the show, will I need to print these differently, larger or smaller? Often, with my work, I can't make a book that shows all of each series for it would be too big.
Again, thank you to Sasha Wolf for her editing of PhotoWorks and to Aperture for publishing it.
If you enjoyed this post check out the first one: PhotoWorks
and you can always reach me at: Neal's email
Related series
Yountville, CA
The book on the series Yountville is now out and available. This is the third book in the 12 book series planned for works of mine in black and white from the 80's and 90's. Yountville represents another shift in that it is from a small town in the Napa Valley of California that is lush and overgrown. The 7 x 7 inch book is for sale by ordering directly: nrantoul@comcast.net.
Each book is signed and numbered and is for sale for $25 plus shipping.
Yountville is on the website: http://www.nealrantoul.com/projects/yountville-ca-1981
OAKESDALE, WA
A new book, one of twelve that are planned to highlight Rantoul's vintage Series Works, made in the 1980's and 90's. These small and modest 7 inch square books feature one series in each book, with an essay by the author. Editioned, signed and numbered by the artist.
From the author's introduction to the Oakedale book:
As I write this now, on the twentieth anniversary of when these pictures were made, I find myself thinking back to the reasons I was walking around a rural cemetery outside a very small town in the wheat field region called the Palouse in the southeastern corner of the State of Washington on a very hot July afternoon. This was not the first series I had made by this time and, in fact, I was not in the Palouse to make series work at all but to photograph the extensive wheat fields with an 8 x 10 inch view camera. I made the Oakesdale Cemetery pictures in 1997 when I was young enough not to be cynical but old enough not to be naive.
Proving that excellent design and printing need not be expensive, these books are an elegant way to share in Rantoul's seminal imagery. The first 100 in the edition are $25 each, with shipping and handling added. You may order from the author: nrantoul@comcast.net
Portland
Portland is now available. This is the 4th book that higlights the series works in black and white from the 80's and 90's.
Portland publishes a series of black and white photographs of Portland, Maine taken in 1997. Extensively exhibited and published elsewhere, the photographs form a narrative that is both beautiful and illuminating.
This series of small books publishes one series work per book. With a brief introduction by the author.
You can get the book by contacting: nrantoul@comcast.net
Each book is signed and numbered, as these are printed in limited editions. They are $25 each, plus shipping.
