Sunset – Route 159 – Nevada

When I was recently provided the opportunity to offer some of my photographs for sale at my gallery, Fabrik Projects, one of the photographs I found myself thinking about was Sunset, Nevada State Route 159, above. This is from my Roadside Remembrance Memorials series. I was intrigued about relooking at this image due in big part to my writing about it recently after my PPA curatorial book presentation.

I have been rethinking the title of this photograph as well. When it was published as part of the In Passing portfolio in LensWork (#74) I had titled it “Randy” related to the hand-written name that is on it. This seemed to make sense to me at the time. In retrospect I find this title to be a bit too specific and may not allow very much room for the reader’s imagination to roam. Thus the change in the photograph’s title to create a potentially broader context and reading.

After printing one of my black and white landscapes, Cascade, Spring, Placerita Canyon, on the Hahnemuhle Rag Metallic, I wondered how this remembrance photograph might look printed on the same rag paper. There are some light to middle grays that could look really nice. I first printed a small trial print and quickly realized that this photograph needed a bit more tweaking to extent the contrast for the Rag Metallic (lighter values appeared too dull). After making some adjustments to the Curves Adjustment layer, the second printing confirmed that this photograph was an ideal image for pairing with this Metallic paper and the final print appears to provide a three dimensionality to the printed image.

In retrospect, this is really the first exhibition print I have made of any photographs from the Roadside Remembrance Memorial photographs in a while. My prior intent was focused on editing a potential book publication, so my printing was restricted to 8-1/2 x 11″ size to evaluate the sequencing of the body of work. I had not been considering any photographic exhibitions. I am now re-examining this entire project as to what other options I might have, including mashing these photographs up with another project. As was once remarked to me that an entire book of roadside memorial photographs might not be very appealing (not sure I agree, but she made a really good point). I am thinking about this body of work’s potential beyond a photo-documentary, which is in truth how it was initially conceived.

Of all of my photographs in my roadside memorial project, this image may have the broadest visually metaphoric content. The photographic image is 13″ x 16″ on a 17″ x 22″ sheet, edition of 10, pigment ink on Hahnemuhle Rag Metallic and now available from Fabrik Projects gallery.

Reminder, I will be attending Fabrik Projects closing reception for our Summer Group Show, 4pm – 6pm, August 31st, 2019. That will be a great opportunity to discuss this and my other photographic prints.

Featured photograph: Sunset, Nevada State Route 159 (Roadside Remembrance Memorials) copyright 2007 Douglas Stockdale