Visual Inventory, CT
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
. . . . . . . .
I recently purchased the new book from architect John Pawson, called “A Visual Inventory” – and I’ve been looking at it daily. I’ve always appreciated Pawson’s work and aesthetic – I often refer to his cookbook, “Living & Eating”, at home. (The homes he designs can feel a little too spare for my own tastes but that’s another post.) This new book is a photographic scrapbook of inspiration and represents Pawson’s unique way of seeing the world around him and his thoughts and observations about what he sees. It includes his own photos – like a visual diary – paired with his words about the pictures. Many of the photos are absolutely incredible. He is often considering things in terms of architecture – line, form, space, shape, function, etc.
I love this way of looking at the world – and using photography as a way to record your observations. The photos lack a narrative in a way – they are snapshots at their core. But I see a real value in that for my own personal inspiration and growth … not every photograph that I take needs to tell a larger story. Sometimes, I like to take a picture that is simply an observation – I often refer to these as a “photographic sketchbook” (I’ve posted about these here before). They are not fully-formed photographs on their own, really — they are simply a record of what I see/my thought process/inspiration/influences. It’s similar to the sketchbook of a painter or illustrator or the like.
I was thinking about Pawson’s book and making my own photographic observations this past weekend – I went for a long walk in Connecticut near my parents’ house and saw some noteworthy stuff. The sun was shining on the way out and it had clouded over on my way back. I saw a wildlife blind with the most simple construction & beautiful benches. The landscape is in transition right now, still very brown & grey until everything is green again. Above, I’m posting my own visual inventory of what I saw.
Just beautiful
wow. INCREDIBLE. and well said words! your site is always inspirational.
yes. cheers to record keeping.
great post, b. those photographic sketches are so important – out of them will sometimes come bigger things, eh.
i love pawson’s visual inventory shot of the wave breaking in suffolk, it’s such a great moment to have caught.
I love this post. This is exactly something I have been thinking about myself. Wondering why I take photographs of the things I do. Sometimes it’s just that, a visual inventory of the little bits I worry I might otherwise forget.
so much work !
Fabulous post and excellent photographs! And thank you for pointing that Pawson’s book out for me – I’ll have to order one. I am very fond of his work – I’ve been many times a guest in the trappist monastery he designed in Czech Rep.
I’d love to be there, in the silence of woods.
As always, a deep sigh of goodness.
Evocative photos! They all make we want to plot right down in the middle and soak in the quiet.
I’ve been exploring a similar snapshot approach on my blog, where I let one image with very little narrative tell the story of the entire home. I’m most interested in the transience moments – where the light is passing or a bouquet is waning – that portray the home almost as a living entity.
What gorgeous photos! I love the colour palette you’ve got in this series – muted, introspective. Beautiful!
Some of my favourite work from you
I hike here often with my twins, but have never managed to capture the place like this! Beautiful and evocative. I must look into that book; it sounds interesting and inspiring. Great work here!