Writes photographer Kay Hathway, "Multiple exposures have always fascinated me and now, during a Covid-induced lockdown, I have found much inspiration from such intriguing imagery. Those Box Brownie shots always had a slightly mysterious feeling to them and it is this mystery in photography that still engages me.
"My photographs start their lives as either colour or black and white digital images. I work with them to create monochromatic or subdued-colour images and many are multiple exposures, made in Photoshop. Printing is also an important part of my image-making process, including
encaustic works and handmade books, so the physical object becomes even more important.
"My images rarely depend for understanding on location, rather they offer a space where the viewer can decide what they are seeing for themselves. To borrow a line from Eric Bogle, I like to ‘…leave blank spaces for people’s minds to fill in for themselves…’ I want to engage with imagination, memories and emotions and ask questions rather than provide answers. All may not be as it seems.
"During the challenges of lockdown, I turned to my home, hard drives and boxes of prints for inspiration. Online workshops and webinars, Zoom meetups and revisiting the bookshelves also helped. Without a professional studio, I used black or white sheets of foamboard, adhoc lighting and various parts of the (quite small) house. The kitchen and bedroom became ‘studios’ because the natural light was good, with interesting directional options. Propping up foamboard with pillows, shining a ‘Big Softi’ or Qubie light onto the subject, using the overhead lighting of a skylight, or shooting at night without the use of natural light, all worked – often with a tripod, but not always."
See what you think of Kay’s selection of images and let her explain where the masks fit in! Perhaps there's something that might inspire your own discoveries – whether we stay in lockdown or not!
Read all about it in the current issue of Better Photography (Issue 106). Click on the link below to subscribe - plus you get immediate access to 50 back issues full of super informative material and inspirational ideas! Use coupon code BP40 to get 40% off - just $29.88 for an annual subscription.