Places
In the illustrious footprints of pioneering photographers such as Ansel Adams, who immortalised the majesty of landscapes, and Eugene Atget, who meticulously documented urban spaces, my work delves into the soul of places that narrate stories of time, culture, and natural phenomena. Drawing inspiration from John Berger's meditations in "Ways of Seeing", where a landscape’s meaning is co-constructed by the observer and the observed, I employ the iPhone as my traveling companion, capturing the essence and spirit of locales in their myriad facets.
The modern mobile camera discreet form allows me to engage with places on an intimate level, capturing not just the grand vistas, but the silent whispers, hidden corners, and transient play of light and shadow. This immediacy, reminiscent of what Alain de Botton elaborates in "The Art of Travel", permits a nuanced exploration of place, transcending the mere geographical to the emotive and philosophical.
Choosing primarily a monochromatic lens, I seek to draw forth the timeless essence of each locale. The stark contrast of black and white crystallises the enduring spirit of places, making palpable the intangible tales they murmur. Yet, there are moments when colour cannot be forsaken, moments when the very soul of a place is enmeshed in its hues. These instances, resonating with Ernst Haas' iconic colour explorations, signify when colour itself is a vessel of storytelling.
The deliberate choice of the square format is an ode to the universality of places, transcending the bounds of horizons or skylines.
Places is an ode to the silent tales whispered by the chronicles etched on cobblestone streets, the reflections mirrored by tranquil waters, and the shadows cast by architecture.
— Moe Louanjli, Helsinki, August 7, 2023.