What’s missing makes the photographic art of John Meadows so commanding. Color for one. Digital for another. The modern is absent, too. If you look at portraits from one-hundred years ago and earlier, the subjects often don’t smile; typically there’s a seriousness to their facial expressions and bodily postures. The look, feel, and mood is similar; most any of his captures could easily be mistaken for a picture from the 1910s.
But John is a modern shooter blending past and present techniques. “As time goes on, I find myself moving more and more drawn back to film-based photography and historic processes such as Cyanotype and Van Dyke Brown”, he says. “However, I will take advantage of certain digital technology, so even when stating with a film negative my workflow tends to be hybrid”.
I reviewed hundreds of pics before picking self-titled “Left Alone”. Among the finalists: “A Blur in the Kitchen“; “Erin” (nude); “K Instant film Negative 5” (another nude); “Leeman Kessler Channeling HP Lovecraft“; “Lensbaby—B & W“; and “Tea-toned Cyanotype“.
He shot our Day Taker on July 5, 2013. Vitals, as he reveals them: “Nikon F, 85mm/f1.8 Nikkor lens; Ilford Delta 400 developed in Microdol-X 1:1; post processed with Nik Efex”. John says about the image, and others accompanying it:
I like working with actors, musicians, and other performers, as well as models who understand that it’s not just about ‘looking pretty’. Young model Julia MacKenzie, who has also had some acting experience, gets it. During a sequence of photos we came up with a story/scenario, and Julia was immediately able to immerse herself in it. More than just looking pretty.
From Montreal, Canada, but living in Toronto, John joined Flickr in September 2006. But his photo blog, “My Third Eye“, offers superior presentation and explanation.
Photo Credit: John Meadows