portraiture

"Inside Lives" Project by John Ritchie

The past year has been extremely challenging as we’ve faced the Coronovirus and the social distancing imposed by it. As we move into winter, social distancing will turn into isolation when there’s little daylight and the weather turns bad, forcing people to retreat into their homes and wait for better times. I’m taking advantage of these long dark hours to work on a new project that I’m calling “Inside Lives.”

With “Inside Lives” I make photographs of people in the privacy of their homes, illustrating aspects of their lives not seen by others. The photos are all taken at night from outside the house, peering through windows into the home. I hope to capture the uniqueness of people in their private lives, especially as they cope with isolation, and do it in a way that both adheres to and features social distancing. The photographs should be true to their subjects, somewhat voyeuristic, show unusual (even weird) activity, and may be moody, disturbing, or funny.

I’m using volunteer models and have done several shoots already. Recruiting people to work on it with me has been a challenge due to the Coronavirus-imposed lack of social engagement. Photo shoots are fun for all, take a look at what I’ve done and please consider volunteering!

I plan to do as much work on this as I can during winter and spring while darkness is readily available then start showing the work next year. Of course this schedule depends on how rampant the Coronavirus becomes this winter and how much contact it allows. I’m keeping as safe as I can during the shoots but if we need to quarantine at home it’ll make it hard to do anything.

LightBox Members Exhibit 2016 by John Ritchie

Veteran, Patriot

LightBox Photographic is a very special gallery located in Astoria, Oregon.  They promote top-quality photographic art, specializing in traditional processing but supporting all fine photography.  LightBox has many fine exhibits every year, and I'm pleased to participate in the LightBox Members Exhibit 2016.  This is an opportunity for me to show a piece I'm excited to exhibit and to rub shoulders with many fine photographic artists of the North Coast and Portland community.

The exhibit will show from December 10th, 2016 to January 11th, 2017, with an Artists' Reception and Holiday Party on December 10th from 6-9pm.  LightBox Photographic is located at 1045 Marine Drive in Astoria, and its hours are Tue-Sat 11-5:30.

Ekphrasis III by John Ritchie

Matea

My photograph "Matea" inspired poet Timothy Black to write a poem as part of the Ekphrasis III exhibition.

The exhibit is an annual collaboration between the Willamette Valley PhotoArts Guild and the poetry club at Linn Benton Community College.  PAG members submit candidate photographs to the poetry club members, each of whom selects one photograph that inpires a poem.  The resulting collection of poetry and photographs is exhibited on the LBCC campus.  A catalog of the assembled works is published as a small booklet.

I'm happy to have "Matea" selected and exhibited because she's an extraordinary girl and a delight to work with.  My brief photo shoot with her was one of the most fun I've had and it makes me glad to share the outcome of it.  I'm pleased that Matea's photograph was selected for the back cover of the exhibit catalog as well.

The exhibit is on display at the South Santiam Hall on the Albany LBCC campus. It runs from February 2nd to 27th.

The exhibit catalog is available for preview and purchase from Blurb: http://www.blurb.com/b/5940053-ekphrasis-iii