Student Photographer
Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)
Along those lines…
“The map, then, not only precedes the journey, it also replaces it…much of this mapping of the world in advance of our experience of it has meant the substitution of quantitative measures for the world’s qualities. It has meant the projection of a world without qualities. In a delightful reference to maps, McLuhan points out a specific consequence of this situation: ‘The things that hurt one do not show on a map.’ [1] And neither do the things that delight.” [2]
I had no plan mapped out for my photographic work for Wild Spirits, Warm Hearts. I am interested in people and identified my journey part way through by a chance encounter with a particularly kindhearted local at an isolated small farm house near the Yellow River, an experience that has impressed me for life.
Without let, she opened her home to us, allowing us to photograph. We all entered with due respect. On our visit, ‘her life’ included a sick, bedridden husband, whom I was reluctant to photograph but given her insistence I did; realizing I was photographing an incredibly brave and plucky soul facing final days. Only the best of us, who instinctively understand our humanity, can accept death with such equanimity, grace and dignity. My experience of making this portrait inspired me for the rest of our trip and beyond. It challenged me to capture in an image the triumph of kindness shown by locals who rarely have much in the way of material possessions, but who are rich in love and trust of others, and we are fortunate to encounter on our way.
[1] Marshall McLuhan, Understanding Media, New American Library, New York, 1964, p. 145.
[2] Robert D Romanyshyn, Technology as Symptom and Dream, Routledge, 1989 p. 52.
