November 3, 2020 - silver gelatin photograph

November 3, 2020 - silver gelatin photograph

reciprocity

Objective:

This series of photographs will show the long-term results of the environment's effects on itself, as well as upon man-made objects. As the name suggests, Reciprocity portrays the give and take relationship of nature's daily cycle. As a double entendre, it plays on photographic film's reluctance to record an image during excessively long exposures.

With several years of testing and creating specialized techniques, I developed a process for recording a single exposure lasting up to 24 hours. This is beyond the scope of what is traditionally possible in the making of still photographic images, and begs to consider the natural processes that occur while mankind goes about daily life.

Resulting Work:

These images show long-term environmental effects via photographs whose exposures aren't measured in fractions of a second, but in hours and days. These extraordinarily long exposures last nearly a millennia compared to their action-freezing counterparts. To demonstrate the effects of our ever-evolving world, the photographs in Reciprocity will actively show climate systems in motion; the threats they pose to man-made objects, as well as against the environment itself.

While Focusing specifically on coastal areas, Reciprocity indirectly involves humankind via the evidence of structures and seawalls; barriers created to subdue powerful oceans and nature’s effects. Additional focus on sand migration and maritime forests affected by saltwater submersion due to the introduction of, and subsequent flooding of irrigation ditches will provide diversity.

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24_22.jpg
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PROPOSAL: I would like to apply these methods of photography of which I have developed to environmental studies, specifically the oceans, and all that they come in contact with. Studies such as coastal glacial fields, sea ice studies, sea level observations, and work being done to examine our ever-changing world.

The photographs resulting from this series will be submitted for print consideration with LensWork magazine, photograph magazine, Black & White magazine, as well as many online photographic community sites. A traveling exhibition will also be put together, and offered to galleries and international museums for exhibition consideration.

-Mike Basher

mike@mikebasher.com