Inspiration

My focus for this project on the topic of Nostalgia was to create a series of images highlighting my fathers connection to the ocean. Inspired by artists such as W. Eugene Smith and Wade Carroll, an American photojournalist and an Australian surf photographer and filmmaker. Smith has been described as “perhaps the single most important American photographer in the development of the editorial photo essay.” W. Eugene Smith similarly explores the notion of family history/relationships. One of his well-known series is called “The Country Doctor,” whereby he documented the life of a small-town doctor and his interactions with patients and their families. Smith’s approach to documentary photography in terms of family relationships aided me to produce a response producing a series of images capturing the relationships and emotions within my family, more specifically the relationship between me and my father. Wade’s connection to surfing is definitely an important aspect of his photography. He has a deep love for the ocean and the surfing culture, which is beautifully reflected in his photographs. Wade’s work was my main visual inspiration for the images produced, the similarity in terms of the subjects and compositions are apparent in my outcomes

W. Eugene Smith

Wade Carroll

Outcome

Overall, I’m pleased with how my images turned out. I believe both photoshoots were a success and my opportunity to access archived images of my father enabled my photo project to present a deeper understanding into my fathers past life and his connection to the ocean throughout the years. This then enabled me to incorporate a sense of nostalgia throughout as this subject evidently has an importance to me as it took up a large part of my childhood, forming the relationship we have today. The second photoshoot, being of my father in the present day, enabled me to document his on going love for the ocean. I believe I was able to successfully present a series of images that are of visual and emotional quality. The issue of a broken wrist saw me unable to present any in water/action style shots, although necessary equipment was available to do so. I believe this would have improved my image variety and more effectively showcased this connection. To improve my shoots/project, I believe more outcomes in general should be presented, along with a sense of image variety.

Selected Images