Toni Ahvenainen
Chicken with rice, anyone?
If you live in Europe or Nordic countries you will probably recognize this already an iconic red toy oven by BRIO. In Finland many generations of us have played with them and I remember them too from my childhood. There are of course modernized versions of toy ovens in the market with all the flashy lights, sounds and whatever, but I feel that a simple one gets the job done best. It was one of our most wanted Christmas present and we have already had couple of fresh meals done with it.
I'm pretty satisfied with this picture, even if I missed focus a bit. As much as I'm trying to develop my own approach to photography, I find these kind of shots most important. I could get all the recognition in the world, Flickr-favourites and photography awards (hah, like I actually could get any of those), but it can't touch the simple fact that photographing Auras first years is most important and long-lasting photographic catalog I'm going to make in my life. Documenting and constructing an imagery of her childhood is, I think, an important mission which will be stratified into her identity later on. Of course there is a whole culture of social relations involved too, but visual sources are also important part of that. While these photographs will become windows to her forgotten past, it makes me ask, how should I approach this mission, which is undeniably too challenging to any photographer? I guess the answer is same as with parenthood in general: as good as I can with all the values, knowledge and discernment I have available today. Trying to photograph everything that feels important. And what could be more important than Aura playing for the first time with her soon precious to become toy oven.
Year of the Alpha – 365 Days of Sony Alpha Photography: www.yearofthealpha.com
Chicken with rice, anyone?
If you live in Europe or Nordic countries you will probably recognize this already an iconic red toy oven by BRIO. In Finland many generations of us have played with them and I remember them too from my childhood. There are of course modernized versions of toy ovens in the market with all the flashy lights, sounds and whatever, but I feel that a simple one gets the job done best. It was one of our most wanted Christmas present and we have already had couple of fresh meals done with it.
I'm pretty satisfied with this picture, even if I missed focus a bit. As much as I'm trying to develop my own approach to photography, I find these kind of shots most important. I could get all the recognition in the world, Flickr-favourites and photography awards (hah, like I actually could get any of those), but it can't touch the simple fact that photographing Auras first years is most important and long-lasting photographic catalog I'm going to make in my life. Documenting and constructing an imagery of her childhood is, I think, an important mission which will be stratified into her identity later on. Of course there is a whole culture of social relations involved too, but visual sources are also important part of that. While these photographs will become windows to her forgotten past, it makes me ask, how should I approach this mission, which is undeniably too challenging to any photographer? I guess the answer is same as with parenthood in general: as good as I can with all the values, knowledge and discernment I have available today. Trying to photograph everything that feels important. And what could be more important than Aura playing for the first time with her soon precious to become toy oven.
Year of the Alpha – 365 Days of Sony Alpha Photography: www.yearofthealpha.com