SAM JOHNSON

Posted:
4 September 2019

Photos & Text:
Sam Johnson

For a long time I have been a firm believer in making photographs within the familiarity of your own world, seeking beauty within your common surroundings and not longing for something more: An idea which is creatively liberating yet generally grappled with by the majority. In my eyes, the ability to create something from a perceived nothing is a skill employed by the most illustrious photographers and one that I am continually trying to achieve. 

This premise was hugely influential for this series of photographs.

These are neighbourhoods which I have occupied for the entirety of my upbringing; streets I have passed through hundreds of times. The process of making these photos was incredibly fulfilling, it enabled me to observe these spaces once more in an entirely new light, both literally and figuratively.

I soon became aware of a perpetual feeling of calm I felt while meandering down vacant streets among rows of illuminated windows.
There is something so alluring and peculiar about the hibernation of humans.
My intention for this series was to interpret what may lie beyond these windows, and in some sense to create a type of open-ended narrative. For the majority of the series, exposure times of 15 seconds to 4 minutes were required, leaving me with details which were unnoticeable to the human eye.

I can’t help but think that this reinforces my initial point: There is always beauty to be found, whether it is obvious or not.


These photographs were wholly inspired by photographers: Patrick Joust, Bradley Lohman, Patrick McCormack and of course Todd Hido.

Thank you, Sam, for being part of THE WASTED HOUR.

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