What inspires you in your creativity?
In 1974, I met my future husband Russ, an MFA student, in college. Soon I purchased a used medium format camera, and we began photographing together. As I acquired some of his technical expertise, good compositions seemed to come easily. Soon we were exhibiting together. Then, in 1977 I began a graduate program in Speech/Language Pathology, and abruptly gave up photography due to a lack of time.
Presently, I am retired from a career as a Speech/Language Pathologist . In 2005, on a whim, I entered older images in Black and White Magazine’s 2006 Portfolio Contest, and won a Merit Award. This was the catalyst for my return to photography after a hiatus of nearly 30 years. I then set a goal of winning a Spotlight in their 2007 Portfolio Contest, and indeed I did. That same year I was also published in Popular Photography. Creating a successful photograph gives me a sense of accomplishment. It is primarily a visual experience, and difficult to verbalize.
What is the process you apply to being creative in your field?
I have always been fascinated with the reflective qualities of water, and this has become the unifying theme for my body of work. My earlier images were captured in pristine mountain streams and ponds. When I returned to photography, I endeavored to find beauty in ordinary subjects that would otherwise go unnoticed.
My style of nature photography developed by accident. Being a novice, I underexposed the film, resulting in negatives with no shadow detail. The only way to save them was to use high contrast paper. This produced a rich tonality that I grew to love, and my images today have the same look.
The portfolio of floating leaves emerged from the idea of finding beauty in the mundane. The images were then processed to have higher than normal contrast, transforming them into something of beauty.
Where does your motivation and confidence come from to keep doing what you do?
Being published and receiving positive feedback from others has been inspirational. I have never feared rejection as an artist, and have not been afraid to submit my work. This is probably true, since I was educated in a different field, and have been successful at something else.
How do you evaluate your success as a creative person?
Success can be gauged by external measures, such as exhibitions and publications, and by personal satisfaction. Since B&W magazine, I have been published a number of other times, exhibited, and gained representation. Although I am more successful than I ever dreamed, in an area (photography) that I never expected, I still feel that there is much more to accomplish.
There is an innate feeling of satisfaction that comes from creating something. I love having a successful body of work that I can look at, and say, “I did that”. It is the satisfaction that anyone who works with their hands can identify with.
Where should people start when they don't know where to start?
I guess they should do what inspires them. For me, following my husband’s passion, led me on a journey of discovery, unlocking my hidden aptitudes.
"Glistening"
Marcia creates such beautiful images - I love them.
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