PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Embarking on a personal project to explore abstract shapes around a single subject. It conveys a personified message about caring for a car and family. As a family, we often hoard and then neglect what we value. This car was one of those many things. I’ve judged for years, but I know the neglect was never intentional. They’ve neglected themselves just like this car.
LEARNING LENS
My great mother’s old Pontiac was very pleasing to the eye. The car had been neglected over the years. She (referring to the car) was well-loved and remembered. We argued over who would inherit the car after her passing. We finally got our hands on it after her sibling passed away. It sat in the yard for several months, with weeds growing around it. It was time for a wash. She ran well, even though a hole appeared in her floorboard. She was quite unreliable and sometimes frightening to drive. However, she was powerful in her prime and truly beautiful. It was time to revisit that beauty, even though she would soon be back in the garage; I had to capture this moment because I didn’t know when I’d see her shine in the sun again.
FINAL SOLUTION
This message didn't reach me until I understood why I was photographing this vintage car. It wasn’t just for its beauty but for its history. This approach allows viewers to appreciate both the car's beauty and its years of neglect. Highlighting all these flaws, I wanted this car to feel human, embodying the stories that unfolded within and around it. Stepping back, I remember she is whole even if she’s missing a few pieces. Demonstrating that objects can sometimes mirror our self-treatment.