Aline Smithson - Teacher of Sight

I have been following the work of the tremendously talented and inspiring photographer Aline Smithson for some time now. She is one of those artists who teaches you how and pushes you to see. This is especially true when I'm hiding behind my camera but I think all of us is longing to be able to truly see again. It is such a simple concept but it is actually a very difficult thing to learn. I could project this sentiment on to other people but it is at least true of myself that I'm constantly pushing and trying to look beyond the bounds of what is right in front of me. Our society is becoming increasingly distracted by all the noise out there and very few people take the time to really be in a moment without allowing their mind to wander some where else. I was thinking about this the other day when I found myself on Aline's website again studying her work.

Aline says on her website:

"I take photographs to allow myself and the viewer to linger a little longer within an image. I try to look for or create moments that are at once familiar, yet unexpected. The odd juxtapositions that we find in life are worth exploring, whether it is with humor, compassion, or by simply taking the time to see them. I have been greatly influenced by the Japanese concept of celebrating a singular object. I tend to isolate subject matter and look for complexity in simple images, providing an opportunity for telling a story in which all is not what it appears to be. The poignancy of childhood, aging, relationships, family, and moments of introspection or contemplation continue to draw my interest. I want to create pictures that evoke a universal memory."

This is something that I strive for (and don't always achieve) in my own work so it's no real surprise that I'm so drawn to her and her images.

According to her Artist Statement, Aline works with four cameras: a twin lens Rolleiflex, a Hasselblad, the Diana plastic camera, and the Holga plastic camera.

Please take the time to visit her portfolio site and her incredible blog, Lenscratch...it's a favorite of mine and a daily read.

Here are some of my favorite works found on her site from various collections...

All images via Aline Smithson.



































All images Copyright Aline Smithson.

Today's Soundtrack:
Pinback - Good To Sea

Tweet