The Singularity of the Plural
Preamble
We live in division, dichotomy and disconnection where disfunction has become normalized. As a single, solitary being, the conventional wisdom is that I cannot do anything about geopolitical strife, economic uncertainty, political rancor, climate change and a host of other pressing issues that pose existential threats to that which we hold dear.
Does that mean that I am powerless? Hardly. Within me dwells the Immortal that transcends and will continue to exist far beyond this current (doubtless flawed) incarnation. The same holds true for every single being that will read this document. And for those that won’t. Without exception. Regardless of belief, politics, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, social strata, perceived beauty or lack of it, and even perceived virtue or lack of it. I realize it is hard to see the Divine in those with whom you disagree with or dislike. But it’s there all the same.
It occurs to me that our shared humanity also has the power to connect and unite us. We are, above all, a social species. Whether we accept it or not, we are all dependent on each other for our survival, our wellbeing, our happiness, and our ability to cope.
Intention
Long before I realized, acknowledged or embraced it, storytelling has been my raison d’être. That drive has manifested in several modalities : visual (photography), music (songwriting, musical composition) and the written (and spoken) word.
My body of photographic work has hitherto largely focused on (no pun intended) depictions of the human form, in particular the visually attractive, sometimes unclad.
This collection to be entitled “We Are: A Pictorial Essay” will be something of a departure for me. I want to do a series of photographs, perhaps culminating in a coffee table book, complete with fine art quality images accompanied by a written narrative. Subjects will represent all walks of life, with ages ranging from young adults (over the age of 18) to those in their 80’s and beyond. They could be male, female, trans gendered, nonbinary, gay, lesbian, straight, of any ethnicity, of any body type imaginable. I want for this to be a celebration of body acceptance. Wherever possible, I would like to capture group activity or couples in relationships. I would love to be able to visually depict a sacred circle - perhaps some form of sky-clad shamanic ritual.
My wish is for this collection to be a depiction of the differences that make us the same. The one constant is that all participants will be nude. Our natural state is the great equalizer. My intent is not to portray anything salacious. Far from it. Many of the nudes will likely be implicit, not explicit. We are human, mortal and subject to the same biological constraints and frailties, no matter how talented, successful or capable we are. Some of us have smaller or larger or danglier bits than others. So what? As the Prophet Job reminds us : “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither”.
I fully plan on being one of the subjects. Sauce for the goose is surely sauce for the gander. I would not ask anything of anyone I am not prepared to do myself.
I would love the opportunity to tell your story. Our story. I sincerely hope that you will allow me the honor and the privilege of portraying you doing what you love in the best possible light. Please email me at jim@wearepictorial,com if you would like to be a participant in this project. Examples of my work can be found at http://www.jimkamphotography.com
Perhaps in some small way, we will together be able to recognize those around us as kindred and connected spirits on the same quest, of whom we may have once perceived as “the other”.
Postscript
April 5, 2022
In replying to a friend via email, it occurred to me that what I didn’t say in my manifesto is at least as important as what I did say. I have gotten to work with some truly lovely models. Which is all well and good, but that in itself is not really all that interesting to me. It’s been done before by those with better skills, imagination and larger budgets than I have, This begs the question, “What do I have to add?”
I would rather work with people who don’t think of themselves as particularly attractive, Who may have been told all their lives (by the media, and perhaps their “well meaning” loved ones) that they are unattractive and ought to be ashamed of their bodies. I want to show them, and those around, that they are beautiful. That they are worthy. And that they are more than enough. I want the experience to be cathartic and empowering. I want to be inclusive. Not exclusive. I want to help facilitate self discoveries via experience. Lofty goals, to be sure. But those are things I have worked on myself for several years, that I can share with others. I see that as the value that I bring to the table.
Lately when doing bodywork, I have started to incorporate a simple practice that I adapted from a Gestalt Coaching course that I did (via Zoom) at the beginning of the COVID lockdown. At the time, I had no clue how this course would have any practical use for me, but I figured I would trust the process, keep an open mind, and that there is no such thing as wasted knowledge.
The 5 minute exercise involves synchronized breathing, nonverbal communication and energy sharing. Nothing complicated, but it has made a world of difference in my being able to intuitively discern the client’s needs, and for the receiver to be more open to receiving. The few people I have tried this with have been effusive.
I am incorporating this practice into my photoshoots as well.
How does one capture a person’s essence in an image? Is that even possible? My take on it is that I am not as concerned with the image as I am with being able to craft a narrative. It begins with “listening" empathetically and energetically. Conversations and interviews often don’t get to who a person really is. People are used to saying what they think the listener wants to hear. But their energy doesn’t lie. So far its been uncanny. Does it make for better images? I don’t know. I don’t have enough data yet. But what have I got to lose from pursuing this avenue?