Capturing the spirit

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Since the beginning of photography, people have manipulated the medium for artistic effect. Early spirit photography (middle image) was often the result of long exposures and darkroom trickery. Cameras, like typewriters, are thought to act as mediums between our world and the next. Even current digital technology can produce some otherworldy images (whether authentic or via manipulation, that's for you to decide!)

The final image is by Denise Grünstein, as posted earlier.

Baby blues

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Although most of the artworks in Old School celebrate the joy of learning and the innocence of childhood, not everything is rosy when you're a child. Kim Scafuro, Kiersten Essenpreis and Jen Altman touch on the tougher side of growing up.

German photographer Loretta Lux (above) creates images of children captured in moments of forced stillness. Their big eyes in unusually large heads seeming to be on the verge of tears. Their proper clothes and poses are unsettling, perhaps masking darker secrets. Jill Greenberg (below) photographs children in the midst of raw emotion: "The honesty of a child's feelings is undeniable and draws you into the photograph. Perhaps because kids experience the kind of powerful emotions that we, as adults, have supressed in ourselves."

This weekend marks the last two days of the Principal's Office display, next door to UPPERCASE in One Blue Wall Gallery. Please visit us for a lingering look (art will be 20% off). On Saturday at 2pm, Deidre will be be presenting "Games of Wonder & Amusement." We promise not to make you cry.

Type Tuesday: Letterpool

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Letterpool is a collaborative project in Liverpool, England that showcases found lettering in the city. I'm sure there will be no shortage of amazing typographic finds in a city with such a long history and active street culture. At the end of the year, they will be releasing a commemorative book. In the meantime, the website design is really great!

Typewriter Shoot with Kirstie Tweed

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A few weeks ago, while UPPERCASE was closed for Old School preparations, I had an extraordinarily fun day getting retro-glamorous and being photographed with my typewriter collection. Stephanie Roy of Botega Salon did my hair and makeup, and Kirstie Tweed took these marvelous photos. (We had some vintage typewriter ads as inspiration.)

I'm naturally shy, so it has taken some time to work up the courage to post these. But I am so happy with how the shoot turned out that I want to share Kirstie's and Stephanie's talents with all of you. I can't recommend Kirstie enough for weddings and portraiture. She is so warm-hearted, sweet and incredibly talented; you can trust her with your most important moments.

I've posted my favourites on Flickr.