July 3, 2015
Blizzard – The Story Behind the Image
Blizzard – Washington DC
“Blizzard” is a favorite image of mine and yet it’s never been very popular. I often wonder about this; is the image only special to me because of my experience creating it or is it because seeing it on an electronic screen just doesn’t do it justice?
Here is the story behind the image:
It was springtime and I was headed to Washington, DC with appropriate spring clothing and my photo gear. I was anxious to create some new images, however once I arrived a late snowstorm rolled in and my “appropriate clothing” soon became inappropriate. In fact, calling it a snowstorm is an understatement, it was a blizzard.
It was 20 degrees but hadn’t started snowing and so I decided to go out to photograph. Here’s a self-portrait I created that evening:
Self Portrait at 20 Degrees – Washington, DC
As I arrived at the National Mall it started snowing heavily and soon I was the only one on the Mall. It was eerie feeling so isolated in the middle of a city and it being so quiet that the only sounds I could hear were the crunch of my shoes and sound of snowflakes hitting my face.
I was so poorly dressed for the weather, wearing only a hoodie with no hat or gloves, that my hands were soon frozen and I feared frostbite. But as I prepared to return, I saw this scene and just had to have it. However the image was easier envisioned than executed as my hands were numb and failed to respond. It was painfully difficult to work the camera controls, but I was able to get this shot which I called “Blizzard.”
I started walking the several miles back to my hotel but soon realized that I could not make it without thawing out my hands and warming up. Unfortunately it was late and I couldn’t find anything open. But then I saw what appeared to be a government building with a large lit lobby and security guard. I decided to go in and hoped they would take pity on my situation and allow me to warm up for a few minutes.
I entered the lobby of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and fortunately the guard who was to my right was preoccupied, so I went to the lobby on the left to shake off the snow and recover. But after only a few minutes the security guard discovered me, and apparently thinking I was a homeless person, headed my way with a loud “Hey! What are you doing in here!” It wasn’t really a question, but an accusation.
The guard was a very large woman and it was clear that I was no match for her! I tried to explain my plight but she would hear nothing of it and I was physically escorted back into the hostile world by the scruff of my neck. Fortunately those few minutes of stolen warmth were enough to sustain me and I did reach my hotel without permanent damage to my shutter finger!
I’m glad I stuck it out because I was able to create an image that I love, and I always tell myself that if I come home with just one good image, that my trip was successful.
“Blizzard” is a subtle image and viewing it on a monitor just doesn’t do it justice. As I write this blog I’m looking at a print and wishing that you could see it. I’ve printed it on Premier Platinum Rag which is a semi-gloss stock that you use matte inks with, which makes the blacks very flat and gives the highlights the most wonderful platinum sheen.
No matter how good an image looks on screen…it’s a revelation to hold a real print in your hands.
Cole
P.S. In a very small way I felt the indignity of being homeless. Here I was, harming no one and simply trying to stave off frostbite when I was treated like a thief and interloper. I know there’s always two sides to every situation, but this experience made me think about the plight of the homeless.
Cole … I often have the same issue with photos I love. I know photography is personal but there are some images that I just *know* are special but for whatever reason, they just don’t connect with others. It leaves me scratching my head all the time “darn it … what am I missing?” I always keep your words in my head, however, that we have to shoot what makes us happy. Beautiful image, by the way, I feel the cold, but maybe it’s because you told me the story?
Hey there Cole,
I just read the NYT piece on Robert Frank. It mentions the well known time when he was taken in by the police in the deep south.
I’m sitting here smiling ’cause there seems to be a very slight similarity in your story.
It seems that it is all part of the experience.
Interestingly, the self portrait in the Mall is almost Robert Frankish (if I may use that term).
🙂
Always great to hear the story or the process behind your work Cole – it serves not only to help appreciate your work but to give insight to the realisation that a great snap can be anywhere at anytime if keeping a ready eye – part of a photographic journey and memory
Monitor (vs. Print) or Experience – I suspect a little bit of both. I like “Self-Portait” more than “Blizzard” – for me, this type of street image evokes a feeling more readily, perhaps, via a monitor image than a winter tree image.
Cole,
Great story…even greater photograph. As I have learned from you, it matters not if others like or dislike an image. What’s important is what it means to you.
To Katherine above. You’re not missing anything. 🙂
Cole, This post really resonated since my wife and I work with the homeless. Now you have some small understanding of just what it means to be without a place, and what it feels like to be alone in the city. Kathy and I have spoken to concerned groups and had fundraisers. But these efforts are just bandaids. What is really needed is affordable housing for these street people. Many will come in from the cold. You can see some of my portraits of those invisible people here: http://www.armorphoto.com/sundaybreakfast/
By the way, being a tree guy myself, I loved your picture, and your methods of work in a past post. Thanks for that. Jan
Katherine: It is hard to separate our personal feelings from an image and view it objectively, I know and appreciate that. But it does make me marvel at how different our tastes are and how one image can touch a person, but not another.
Sometimes someone will purchase one of the most obscure images of mine and I’ll wonder why they found it so fascinating.
Not that it matters, but still interesting.
Thanks for reading and commenting Katherine!
Wilie, your comment reminds me of the time I was physically detained by security guards for photographing a bank building. I was across the street on public property and yet they held me and insisted that I surrender my memory cards! I had to call the police to get free.
Andrew, it is amazing to me how a photograph, a song or a smell can trigger memories. I’m at the age where my memory is failing me, but then I’ll see an old photo and my memory floods out. That’s why I advocate the taking of lots of images of your family and kids, you’ll really appreciate it one day!
And yes, I do believe that a great image can be created anywhere and anytime. Not just at iconic locations or during the golden hour.
Roger, some images are so subtle in their detail that they don’t translate well on the screen. Since I do not sell my work in galleries but represent myself online, it makes you wonder if those images can ever be properly appreciated. That’s one thing I’ve always struggled with when selling my work online, how to give someone the true feel of the image and quality of the work, when they’ve never seen it in person.
Thanks Bill, it really is true. We cannot please everyone, but we can please ourselves.
Jan, those are very touching images of the homeless. Heartbreaking images.
Cole,
Nice pictures, great story. Actually several stories: 1) liking what you like is at least as important as what others like, 2) passion and commitment, even suffering for one’s art and 3) the callousness that some folks seem to embrace.
Each is worth an essay.
Have a great holiday.
Jim, thanks for the ideas! Yes, all would made a great blog post.
That coming home with one successful image thing is a wonderful aphorism. It’s definitely stuck with me after many photography outings.
Great story!
(Though I still recall the escapade in Iceland that you previously wrote about!!)
Livin’ on the edge.
Cole,
It would be great if you could bring a print to the Las Vegas and SLC (where I’ll be) talks, so that attendees who “saw this post”, could see the print. I’ve looked at it a few times online and had a feeling that “something is there, but what is it”
Greg
Greg, that’s a great idea (to bring a copy of “Blizzard” to the presentation)
I’ve already left for Vegas, but I “think” that I have a copy in my print box.
Steve, as I always like to say: “I have lots of stories…and some of them are even true!”
Cole, as someone who is a Minnesota native and who has lived in North Dakota for almost 20 years, I laugh at your assertion that 20-degrees is cold. Chilly, yes. Freezing cold? Ha. In North Dakota we consider that borderline shorts weather.
Chuck, having lived in AK for several years, I know cold too.
But, this was cold!
Unfortunately I was inappropriately dressed, there was a wet snow with wind and I had no gloves.
And I’m a weenie!
Dear Cole,
Greetings …
The magic of a photo is not just visually but also in whispers a story on it.
Congratulations.