I love the process of photography. There are so many different parts and all of them go into capturing moments of aesthetic, moments of a specific place, person, time, style. I'm not one to over analyze the initial idea for a shoot, I like to just always have my camera on me, seeing the day through the lens as moments come and go. I think in space and lines and ever since I picked up the camera in early high school I've applied the way I see things to photography.
The second step of the process, after first shooting a few images of the overarching aesthetic, I start looking at the faces and the landscapes, I start scanning the surroundings for empty space. This empty space gives me what I want out of a photo - something to think about, something to stare at, something to just be with. I start taking photos slower, more intentionally.
The third part is the most interesting to me. It's the part when I give up (typically) the work I've done to someone else. For color I use a place called Dury's, the man there does great work for a good price, and for black and white I take it to Fort Houston's Darkroom. I've only developed one roll by myself and it was the most methodical and calming thing I've done in a long while. Once I get a place of my own I'm going to spend more time developing my own photos, but until then working as a sort of team with these people makes the process that much more interesting.
The last part is probably the most emotional. I love going through photos, remembering faces and scenes and atmospheres. I don't like taking photos of people or places I'm unfamiliar with, there's a disconnect and it comes out in the final product. It's in these photos that moments in time are brought to life and the first look is really satisfying. I don't edit, I just organize, normally stories or series ideas pop in my head during this time.
Discovering my process and why I shoot has been really important for me. It's given me reason and motivation to keep going and inspiration for furthering the development of my work. So I figured a good ramble on my website was a smart idea.
See my portfolio here -- cargocollective.com/leahgray