Today I have three lovely moody images taken by Tim Lum. He submitted these and I was immediately drawn to them. They are fantastic. Here is what he had to say about them…
“Hi Steve,
I’ve been getting into photography semi seriously for the past year. It was always an interest of mine but there were always other (unwise) distractions for me to spend my money on…
Anyways one day I decided I needed a creative outlet and settled on photography. I had dabbled in some lomography before and liked how analogue everything was but didn’t like how everything was just a random function of the random quirk/flaw of the camera you were using. I also knew that I didn’t want a computer taking my pictures for me so there was only one choice (actually 2, a Nikon FM as well but I digress…) I settled on a Leica M6 with a Summicron 35mm pre-ASPH and B&W film. I’ve since gotten 3 more lenses and moved on to some color film once in awhile. My current primary lenses are a very old Canon 50mm 1.2 and a Summicron 90mm pre ASPH.
Enough about technical gearnormics talk. The 3 pictures I’m sending are from the first few rolls of film I took.
Trying to capture loneliness has always been one of the recurring themes of my photography. It’s not the sad kind of loneliness where you crave attention but the kind where you find yourself removed from real life. I’d try to describe it but to describe that type of loneliness is kind of like trying to describe brainfreeze to someone who’s never experienced it… you’ll never succeed at doing it but someone who’s experienced it would know what you mean instantly. I’d actually call it comfort of being alone as opposed to loneliness. Anyhoo…
I’ve chosen the 3 shots because these shots were about the feeling I had going into the shot and how they were done technically wrong to capture the mood. There isn’t much of a story behind the photos because they were taken more as a reflection of my mood at the moment rather than a particular incident. Therefore I’d like to leave the story open to have your readers fill in the details. Out of focus shots for out of focus moods.
Cheers, Tim”
Stunning! Thank you so much for letting us see your art work! Best
I love the second shot – great mood enhanced by just the right degree of defocusing. Wonderful!
Awesome photos. I love the moods you’ve captured with the photos and the feelings they instantly stir.
Thanks for the detailed write up on your inspiration.
Very inspiring stuff. Now I can’t wait to grab my camera and experiment with capturing my moods.
I bow to Thee ! From Lomography to Leicagraphy … What a move .
Hope to join you soon with a real Lieca . ( I have a Dlux 4 ) .
Wonderful photos, too many photographers think that every image has to be tack sharp and forget that making the viewer feel something is really what makes a photo powerful.
I do understand your meaning of loneliness… 🙂
and the pictures are a great companion to that indeed!
Seems I need to go see Lost In Translation as well…
Thanks
A great idea and love the story behind the pictures. You have captured the feeling very well. The idea you are talking about (the detatchment from real life) was captured very well in a film called “Lost in translation”. It is basically a film version of your idea. Go and rent it, brilliant film.
great stuff and nice article! Keep it up!
I can deeply feel the first one. Out of focus mood is very precise description. The second picture is impressive as well. I wouldn’t think twice if I had the chance to hang it on my wall.
I think you did a wonderful job with these. They are moody pictures. No doubt. For someone who has just started photography, you’re doing a wonderful job with it. Your pictures are very artsy to me. Not typical snapshots that you see everyday.
I enjoy your 1st picture the most. It’s got a pretty solid emotional impact. The dark of the car contrasted with the light/rain outside I think describes loneliness well. Maybe I’m getting too philosophical. 🙂
I hope you keep enjoying film. I can never seem to get my Tri-X to do what I want these days. Operator error, mostly. I think I’ve been spoiled by “a computer taking my pictures for me” for too long!
Tim, sitting on the balcony at late evening, hearing nothing but the monotonous, humming noise of a fan somewhere near, the mood of your pictures immediately blends with the mood I’m currently in, making one mirror the other.
Wow, how philosophical does that sound …
I love #2. It reminds me of looking up to the sky when you are just slightly detached from the world and seeing birds breaking up the grey sky.
Great work Jak, can see you are really enjoying it..
No. 2 is my favorite, graphical and everything is beautifully blurred.
though I think its unfair to compare one artists images with another, my mind always goes to the image taken by Jeff Ament (Bass guitarist of Pearl Jam) on the “Yield” album.
Enjoy enjoy enjoy
The first and the third one are look snapshots from a 70’s movie. I like them both.
Well done !