The Photography of Francesca Woodman

These are works by Francesca Woodman. Check her out.

A Birthday Surprise. . .

For my birthday surprise my friend Eva decided to take me to a burnt down house out in the "countryside". Beautiful. I decided to go traisping around in it in a vintage cashmere sweater.

I started near what must have used to be a closet under the stairs.

Looking through the wall.

I like all the texture in this one. And I feel like I'm glowing, like maybe I'm a ghost.

I like this overall composition.

This frame is pretty popular. People like the curls, someone (Eva?) mentioned that the boards echo the form of my back. . . so some nice compositional elements. I'm also liking when I am engaged with the environment. In the preceding two photographs I am exploring the environment, and I like these compositionally. . . but conceptually I feel that it is stronger if I am interacting with the environment, having some kind of moment, not just passing through.


Eva took pictures of me taking pictures of me for her photojourn blog. Hopefully we'll get to see them soon! And thanks Eva for the best birthday surprise ever!

Next to the foundations.

While at home over the weekend I took pictures at the house I grew up in.

I took some shots under the back porch of the house, next to the foundation. I knew I wanted to photograph there but hadn't been there in a long time. I liked finding this old bicycle.

I also took pictures in the skeleton of our bathroom. I was attracted to this environment because it was exposed, hollowed out, revealing the bare bones underneath. . . and the light turned out beautifully.

Lastly I took some pictures in the basement storage room connected to my bedroom before I moved away. I arranged objects I found that all had the look I wanted-particularly my old doll house that grandpa dale made. I had taken interest in it as a child but never really fully furnished it.

In this last shot I am again taking pictures of myself as a young girl. I also think it is significant that I am taking pictures of myself in my childhood home, but a home stripped bare, or broken down, or forgotten remnants.

Photographing the historic Colver House

On my most recent photo trip I travelled to the historic Colver house in Phoenix. At that point I only knew that I had passed by a partially burnt down house while driving through with a friend. I rode the bus. I didn't know exactly where to stop in order to find it. Finally I got off and turned around. It started raining. I got on the bus in the other direction. Finally I found it.

Upon arrival I noticed a behemoth and unsightly chain link fence. This was apparently a new addition since I had last driven by (either that or I am extremely unobservant). A hitch in my plans. I walked back and forth, circled the block, thoroughly confusing the workers at the autoshop next door. No back entrance was to be found. I contemplated climbing the fence. My demure nature prevailed. I made the compromise of framing the shots so I could get the house in the background, but not the fence. Did I mention I was in costume?

After I did what I could at the house I continued my walk down the street. I came across another house that although not burned down looked slightly old. Took this photograph there.

Thus I completed my roll of film. Rode the bus back to Ashland. Day of photography successfully completed.

Then I found this news story a few days later.

http://www.dailytidings.com/2008/0916/stories/0916_fire.php

Intriguing. Here is an old shot of the Colver house:

Pretty beautiful, right? Yeah.

So we'll see where this story takes me. Until next time, y'all.

All Photographs (except black and white) copyright Amanda Ball 2008.