Portraits by Kimberly Halverson

Information

Submitted on: 10 Mar 09

Category: General

Rating:

Description of Essay as provided by photographer:

I have always been interested in human patterns and behaviors and the natural conditions under which they thrive. I am particularly drawn to the elderly, as their self-aware barriers have diminished with their accumulating years. A narrative chronicling the midday meal of Ernest and Luanna, an aged Midwestern couple, has shown me that despite the immense 60-year age gap between my subjects and I, there is still a bridge in the fundamental way that we go through our days. In this series, I wanted to capture the mundane aspects of their everyday, such as getting the mail and preparing lunch, and use these tasks to make their routine more accessible and relatable to a modern audience. For this couple, those monotonous chores are what they anticipate and depend on. Being so aged and isolated living in rural Minnesota, this couple’s noontime meal is the highlight of activity in their day. By studying the way others live, we gain a greater perspective on our own lives, challenging the oftentimes chaotic way we daily operate. It is my goal that one can learn from Ernest and Luanna, that there can be beauty in living simply, and in simply living.

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Viewing 6 Comments

Neha 11 months ago 1 point
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I really liked the concept behind your series. The write up is well drafted too.
What camera have you used for it? Are the photographs edited in photoshop?

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Jamie Rose 1 year ago 1 point
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JUDGES COMMENTS:

Kimberly, there are some beautiful and iconic images but I don't feel like there is a narrative here yet. I agree with the other judges that editing this down would have been seriously necessary for me to feel what you are trying to express here. You are way too good of a photographer I think to do one day of shooting on this subject.

Since I agree with Matt's comments, I'll speak to the long term goals of this project that I think could be great. Have you thought about how to flesh this story out into something more concrete? You could attack this as a long term story about this couple and continue to follow them through their lives. (see Carol Guzy's WHNPA winning story on the two elderly sisters). You could also look into doing a series of "day in the life" stories about elderly couples. The concept that these two still live at home could be expanded on to show how difficult it can be for elderly couples to remain together, in their home with failing health or just fiances.

I guess I would challenge you to think like a journalist and delve into the issues facing the elderly in Minnesota. What is important to them? What are their wishes and desires? Once you establish that, you'll be well on your way to making this a great story instead of a great concept.

Either way, you've got a great sense of place, a really nice feel for color and a good sense of looking like an invisible observer in your frames. Likewise, feel free to email me at jamie@momentaworkshops.com if you'd like to brainstorm on ideas or have me look at more images.

Good luck,
Jamie Rose

workshops: www.momentaworkshops.com
personal: www.jamierose.net

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http://www.momentaworkshops.com

matteich 1 year ago 1 point
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JUDGES COMMENTS:
Kimberly – These images show a wonderful grasp on light and color. Some like #s 1, 3, 5 and 15 are really beautiful images that stand out. There is great potential in this group of pictures to explore your relationship with Ernest and Luanna. As a viewer, I want to know more about them than what I get at this point. You try to focus on the mundane parts of their life but the scope is a bit limited. What about going with them to the grocery store, to church or to a friend’s house? Look for those fleeting tender moments where hands touch, or however they express themselves to one another. See if you can be there early in the morning as they climb out of bed to start their day. Push for more intimacy. The images remind me a great deal of KayLynn Deveney’s book, “The Day to Day Life of Albert Hastings.” I’ll link to her site here so you can check it out.

www.kaylynndeveney.com

Editing is one of the most crucial and yet difficult parts of photography. The images have to blend aesthetically and avoid redundancies to really flow. The middle of your essay gets a bit redundant with several lunchtime shots – some almost identical. These need to be trimmed out, leaving only the strongest to comprise your narrative. One other thing that stood out is that the camera awareness in #s 4, 11, and 12 clash stylistically with the others. The images where Ernest and Luanna seem to have forgotten your presence are the strongest. This is a good start to what could be a really touching story. I hope you continue to pursue it. Let me know if I can be of any assistance.

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Muhammad Muhsin 1 year ago 1 point
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great photo, and a well written essay kimberly :)

the choice of words i like the best, however, there could be a better flow in the whole essay, not that it's bad, just that i wish it had more of a proper flow :)

good work anyway :)

muhammad muhsin (JPGMAG: mark25)

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Iris Bernau 1 year ago 1 point
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WOW, KIMBERLY! I AM SO IMPRESSED. These are truly wonderful and characteristic! WAY TO GO!! I am so proud to be your aunt, I can hardly stand it! Love, Pet Honey Bernau

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panosskoulidas 1 year ago 1 point
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KIMBERLY,
great... great ... awesome... but you haven't avoided some serious repetition...
but what can i say... you are honest and sweet...
You care... and it shows... keep it up...
Like all of the essays here , is unfinished....
great start though... i see a great story coming up!!!!!
be back soonest!

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