Hiroshi Watanbe studio portrait 2011 copyright Douglas Stockdale
I know that I am a bit of reactionary, that is, I usually need to be engaged in a photographic project for a while before it dawns on me what a photographic project might actually be. I was well into my photobook Ciociaria before I understood what it was I am attempting to convey. Likewise, I have been working on a project about memory and its preservation since 2006 (initially titled In Passing), and only now understanding enough of my background stuff to write a vague conceptual scope. sigh.
Thus it was no surprise that after spending a morning with Hiroshi Watanabe, on and off taking his portrait as we sat and discussed photography in his studio, that I was able to suddenly grasp what a portrait of him could look like. I have been writing about his photography since his photobook Findings was published by Photolucdia in 2007.
Not a surprise to think that his photographic images really are a extension of him and a likeness of his work could then be liken to have captured his spirit. Naturally it should be in Black and White. With layers and shadows, some personal aspects, mixing in ambiguity that is laced with threads of mystery. nice.
And this was a composition (above) that I observed as I was packing up my equipment to leave, thus resulting in a couple of quick final exposures as I was about to head out the door. It will not be a portrait that will grace the inside cover of one of his books, but for me, a wonderful portrait of Hiroshi.
