Photographic Memories

Fun With Cameras LVI

Photographic memorabilia. Oberhausen, Germany, 28 January 2025.

Between last week’s snow photography and a post dedicated to city observations (in three weeks), I embrace indoor photography in today’s Fun With Cameras.

While preparing the indoor bike trainer in the basement this winter, I noticed three mugs quietly resting on a shelf. My thoughts immediately wandered, combing through childhood memories. My siblings and I each had one of those mugs, a different easter-related painting for each.

As the days passed, I continued to connect the sighting of those mugs with an idea for indoor photography. Read on to find out how that idea developed. I’ll also explain how flash practice and triptychs factor into it.

The more the memories connected to those mugs returned, the more I thought about looking for more objects from my past.

I picked small wooden statues from Ghana, an old camera, writing utensils, printed photographs, found school utensils and a bicycle seat post clamp with a stripped bolt.

Each object jogged my memory and unearthed happy and frustrating experiences.

I started thinking: what if I try to photograph those objects?

Could I revive more memories? Could I preserve them in photographic form? Could I use this idea as an excuse to step back into the comfortable uncomfortableness of still life and flash photography?

I set aside the objects and gathered support material that would help me capture the memories.

Meanwhile, the plan kept developing. I wanted to make three images of each object and combine them in a triptych, another editing technique I wanted to play with.

Finally, I wanted to add context about the object and associated memories in writing.

The only requirement I set was that flash had to be a part of every image.

I spent an entire day realising that concept. The day was long. Some of the tableaux didn’t work out. I didn’t want to explore other ideas further. The space I have available for these types of images is limited. The time I can set aside isn’t endless.

I included two outtakes in the photography talk two weeks ago. Below, I’ll explore three samples that satisfy me a bit more. I’m not happy with the outcome. But I’m happy I played with the idea.

I rediscovered memories, became a bit more fluent with flash photography, and played with arranging scenes and images. Those are all worthwhile exercises for photographers. It’s an ongoing process, and I look forward to revisiting these techniques whenever I can set aside time.

The first triptych packs Ghana memories.

The notebook I used as a journal that summer will hold value even when its content is finally in a safer home. Various paper trinkets live inside, from maps and brochures to ticket stubs.

The point-and-shoot that replaced the stolen camera revives the memories of the day its predecessor got taken from me and the strange process of obtaining a police report.

I strangely enjoy this type of tabletop photography. While the images aren’t anything special, it’s almost a therapeutic process to arrange everything and make the necessary decisions.

I went with an overall scene and two details — a theme running through all the tableaux.

What I like here is the texture of the camera and how the coloured gels work with the notebook colours.

I wish I had more time (and other resources) to explore the relationship of light and colour more deeply — a thought that runs through all images here and an idea for a future project.

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Finally, I could have planned the image orientation more carefully, keeping the end edit in mind. Mixing portrait and landscape doesn’t make it easier to arrange images in sets of three.

But maybe clean triptychs aren’t the only way to play with editing images in sets of three.

The individual images I selected for the Ghanaian memorabilia idea (above) and the final triptych (below). The objects I picked include the camera that replaced the one stolen from me in Ghana, my Ghana journal, and various bits of the paper trail of the month in unfamiliar surroundings, including a tro-tro receipt from a weekend trip to the Wli waterfalls.

The second triptych picks up memories from my time in the United States.

I wrote all my class notes by hand, curating small notebooks for each class. I picked two of my favourites and paired them with a fountain pen I remember using frequently for the task. I added an ink bottle and ink blotter, which I recall using often, too.

The whole ordeal took all day, but I wish I had spent more time setting up a more spacious studio. I could have played with the light positions more freely and controlled light and shadow much better. Maybe I’ll soon dedicate a day to experiment with that.

I like the notebook close-up (as an image) and the memories this set of threes brings back.

The individual images I selected for the Quinnipiac memorabilia idea (above) and the final triptych (below). My American memories include a notebook holding class notes from my graduate studies in the US paired with a fountain pen I used frequently at the time (and still do), an ink blotter, and a bottle of ink (water-proof black ink, which is ideal for writing one wants to keep safe).

Memories and photography go hand-in-hand. The final set of threes speaks to that.

I value printing photographs. It makes editing more convenient and insightful than relying purely on digital tools.

I used prints to decorate the walls of my apartment in Prague. When I ran out of frames, I pinned string to the wall and attached prints with small wooden clips.

As the final tableaux at the end of a long photography day, I selected prints that reminded me of my time in Prague and the work on my personal project, Family Journeys.

I still remember the photowalk during which I discovered the small street where I found architectural curiosities (small print in the top left). The bridge (bottom right) was a staple I crossed probably hundreds of times — mostly during my early morning runs along the River Vltava. The colourful graffiti was part of a cold winter walk exploring the city’s outskirts.

The individual images I selected for the photographic memorabilia idea (above) and the final triptych (below). The idea was to recreate a picture display I used to have in Prague. I attached a piece of string to the wall and clipped small prints to it. I rummaged through a collection of old prints and picked a few that I connected with the time. There’s Prague cityscapes and architectural details. There’s a street scene from the riverfront and family memories from home and documenting my parents’ relationship.

That marks the end (for now) of my indoor photography playtime. I’ll return to it because I enjoy the balance of being photographically uncomfortable and making small discoveries that might inform my other photography one day.

Next week, I’ll return with two posts about writing and training. Until then, I hope you found something interesting in today’s Fun With Cameras.