AN ESSAY (hardly) BY JONAS RASK
The inspiration for my little series of images and words is the image of Kevins lovely daughter to the right.
The visual metaphor of reflection was something that I wanted to explore a little bit more than just doing the standard puddle photography that I started out doing back when I started photography.
I think it’s quite important, now more than ever, at the beginning of the end of this pandemic, that we all start to reflect on the past 14 months.
We’re slowly making our way out of the crazy times of the past 14 months. In Denmark slowly, but securely. I suspect, not unlike in many other countries around the world. But there are definitely still those countries who struggle. Where the pandemic just simply won't let go. Like the giant Boxing Day Tsunami many years ago it keeps sweeping back and forth in a multitude of waves that gets bigger and meaner with every passing number.
We’re so lucky in this part of the world. We bitch and moan about isolation, solitude, lack of open pubs, restaurants, museums etc. Lack of holiday plans for the summer. It reeks of entitlement. A society that is now relying so heavily on luxury amendments that being “forced” to spend time at home with the people that are supposed to be “loved ones” has taken a toll on mental health. At least that’s how I experience it after a year of sitting in my consultation. Isolation sucks, I get it. But why not use that time to reflect on what is REALLY important? Reflect on what really gives life its meaning and purpose.
Beers and Art are great, soccer matches and fine dining too…. but I have a vague suspicion that those things are not the subject of a dying mans last words!
I can honestly say that up until 2020 I had become absent from my connected family life. I spent loads of time at work, loads more time on my own fulfilling a desire to become the best photographer in the world (whatever the hell that means!) - Travelling with businessconnections, drinking till the sun rose. It was damn fun, that’s for sure. It was luxurious! - I have a vague suspicion that those experiences will not form my last words!
I missed out.
I missed out on closeness with my family. I missed out on quiet Saturdays in my garden. I missed out on putting my helping hands on my daughters mathproblems. I took for granted the insane amount of work my wife put into our family. I missed out on sooo many things. I had become comfortable, and my desire for “more” meant that I neglected to see that I already have it all!
When I reflect on the past years I don’t have any regrets. I’m so thankful of all the experiences that I’ve had. But in reflection, the past 14 months have definitely showed me that I needed to regain my perspective of what’s important in my life.
Truth is, I’m happier than I’ve ever been - and I will do my utmost to make the foundation of my happiness a permanent change in priorities.
/J
All shots in this series seek to explore the visual metaphor of reflections. The images are shot as symbiotic pairs. One on digital medium and the other on analog film.
I used the X-Pro3 with the XF35mm f/2 and the Contax G2 with the Zeiss 90mm f/2.8. I shot Kodak Vision 3 250D that I home developed in Cinestill CS41
