by Brian Goslow
Katherine Richmond is an adventurer and international award-winning fine art photographer based in Gloucester, Mass. Her work reflects her passions; land and seascapes, wildlife, documentary, portrait and abstracts. Artscope managing editor Brian Goslow exchanged questions with her via email in advance of the “Expeditions: From Iceland to the Gobi Desert” exhibition that will be on view from February 1 through March 10 at the Paula Estey Gallery, 3 Harris St., Newburyport, Mass.
TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR WORK THAT’LL BE IN THE SHOW IN TERMS OF TITLES, MEDIUM AND HOW IT WAS CREATED — AND WHAT YOU HOPE TO CONVEY THROUGH IT.
The name of my photograph is “Ludivine.” It’s a French word that I chose meaning divine light. The experience of capturing this taught me to put yourself in that place, where ever it may be, observe, and don’t give up, you never know what you might see, or learn about the environment you are part of.
After working all day, the once clear skies were now overcast. With the remaining light I went home and grabbed my camera and went back to the shoreline. When I arrived as it was quickly becoming darker, as I sat in my car debating, why bother. This shoot wasn’t going to work out as I had hoped, with the darkness closing in the images probably wouldn’t be viable.
It had also been several weeks since I had done anything creative, so I decided to get out of my car and make my way down to the shoreline and shoot anyway. Twenty minutes went by and just as I was about to leave the overcast skies parted while the sun was at its lowest point on the horizon during sunset. It was a surreal experience that took my breath away. I quickly adjusted my camera settings and started shooting.
This dramatic lighting lit up the breaks on the waves, casing and orange-yellow color on the surf. Due to the direction of the light the water and sky remained dark. This moment lasted 30-seconds or less. The opening in the cloud cover closed and it was over, darkness closed in. It was one of the most memorable moments I have had while shooting the ocean and waves. My goal is to have the emotional essence of this moment comes across to the viewer. Photography is not just about the equipment, it’s about a way of seeing.
DO YOU THINK CREATING WORK THAT CELEBRATES/FOCUSES ON OUR NATURAL SURROUNDINGS ENCOURAGES ITS VIEWERS TO BE MORE ACTIVE IN PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT?
What I learned was there is always something of value when being creative, not necessarily a tangible outcome, but enjoying and learning through a creative exercise of subject matter. Each experience gives me further understanding of my artistic expression and nature itself. Many times, I have hiked across the rocky coastline in all kinds of weather, climbed down 20 foot cliffs, and sat in the seaweed for hours during a storm ready for something to happen. It is in these moments that I’ve discovered the subtleties of nature, provoking those feelings of responsibility in sustaining the magnificent ocean so integral to our own survival.
(“Expeditions: From Iceland to the Gobi Desert” featuring work by Lisa Lebofsky, Lisa Goren, Will Nourse, Katherine Richmond and David Stone, can be seen from February 1 through March 10 at the Paula Estey Gallery, 3 Harris St., Beverly, Mass. You can read an excerpt from our preview of the exhibition – and find out how to get a copy of our January/February 2018 issue – and find out how to get your copy — here: https://artscopemagazine.com/2018/01/ice-ice-baby-expeditions-at-estey/.)