Metal Tower by Lyam Street Bridge
Why a collection of cyanotypes of the City of Holyoke and the surrounding areas? It is a question I have been trying to put into words for several days now. On the surface the answer could be simple – most of my photography is of Holyoke and I have been experimenting with the process on and off for
several years now. That answer is superficial, however, and so I will describe why I like this process and why I think it fits this city so well.
I like working with a photographic technology that has changed very little in decades. Using large format cameras requires much more contemplation than a modern “Point and Shoot” digital camera. With a point and shoot camera you simply aim and shoot off a dozen or so images, in hopes that one turns out presentable. With a large format camera, one must take their time composing under a dark cloth with a tripod-mounted camera weighing several pounds; carefully exposing a sheet of film several inches in size. One then needs to develop the sheets in total darkness. To make my prints I must coat my paper with the cyanotype solution (see the process section of this website) the same way it has been done for over 160 years. There is no “Cyan” button on the back of my camera.
Now you must be asking yourself why you would want to do all that if you can just use a point and shoot. Firstly, unless you Photoshop something to death it does not look hand made. Even if you are good in Photoshop, it looks like it has been Photoshopped to death upon close inspection. Secondly, there is actual labor in making these prints. I personally feel that the sweat I put into each print makes it somehow an extension of myself. It is a feeling I can not achieve with my DSLR.
Next comes the question that has required the most thought in order to to put it into words. Why Cyanotypes of Holyoke? My original reasoning was “It looks cool.” but I began to ask myself “Why does it look cool?” I finally came to the conclusion that Holyoke’s past, present, and future are all blue – like these prints. Holyoke was born on the blue waters of the Connecticut River. The waters of the canals powered our city through its heyday. Blue is the mood of so many of the grand structures that are in terrible repair and in danger of being lost – and those that have been lost. Blue also represents hope, and reminds us of happier times and ‘bluer skies’ in these cloudy days. Finally, blue is the city’s future, as technology looks to use our canals and water power once again. Blue as architects and historians discover the Victorian buildings that still survive, and tie our past into our present and future. I hope this collection of prints made in the early 21st century using 19th century technology helps bridge these eras of Holyoke’s birth with it’s hope for the future together.
Why a collection of cyanotypes of the City of Holyoke and the surrounding areas? It is a question I have been trying to put into words for several days now. On the surface the answer could be simple – most of my photography is of Holyoke and I have been experimenting with the process on and off for
several years now. That answer is superficial, however, and so I will describe why I like this process and why I think it fits this city so well.
I like working with a photographic technology that has changed very little in decades. Using large format cameras requires much more contemplation than a modern “Point and Shoot” digital camera. With a point and shoot camera you simply aim and shoot off a dozen or so images, in hopes that one turns out presentable. With a large format camera, one must take their time composing under a dark cloth with a tripod-mounted camera weighing several pounds; carefully exposing a sheet of film several inches in size. One then needs to develop the sheets in total darkness. To make my prints I must coat my paper with the cyanotype solution (see the process section of this website) the same way it has been done for over 160 years. There is no “Cyan” button on the back of my camera.
Now you must be asking yourself why you would want to do all that if you can just use a point and shoot. Firstly, unless you Photoshop something to death it does not look hand made. Even if you are good in Photoshop, it looks like it has been Photoshopped to death upon close inspection. Secondly, there is actual labor in making these prints. I personally feel that the sweat I put into each print makes it somehow an extension of myself. It is a feeling I can not achieve with my DSLR.
Next comes the question that has required the most thought in order to to put it into words. Why Cyanotypes of Holyoke? My original reasoning was “It looks cool.” but I began to ask myself “Why does it look cool?” I finally came to the conclusion that Holyoke’s past, present, and future are all blue – like these prints. Holyoke was born on the blue waters of the Connecticut River. The waters of the canals powered our city through its heyday. Blue is the mood of so many of the grand structures that are in terrible repair and in danger of being lost – and those that have been lost. Blue also represents hope, and reminds us of happier times and ‘bluer skies’ in these cloudy days. Finally, blue is the city’s future, as technology looks to use our canals and water power once again. Blue as architects and historians discover the Victorian buildings that still survive, and tie our past into our present and future. I hope this collection of prints made in the early 21st century using 19th century technology helps bridge these eras of Holyoke’s birth with it’s hope for the future together.
Water Street in Holyoke has looked the same since about 1875, that is until this spring. With very little fanfare or effort by preservationists several Victorian paper mills are succumbing to the wrecking ball. The mills are dying a slow and prolonged death as salvage men pick them bare for anything valuable. Soon weeds and brush will consume the lots. By next year for the first time since President Grant, the street will be nearly devoid of structures.
