Reaction Paper #6 by Kristine Sellner

When I look at works of art, I am on a constant hunt for inspiration. Melissa Ann Pinney captured the youth in motion and added to that the captivating motion of trees, splashing water, vertical shadows. I just love how she linked the natural surroundings to enhance the obvious of the photos. The photo of the long, lanky free-spirited girl, stepping on the log with the long, narrow, entwining trees was perfect in every way. I love the contrast, which shows endless detail with such vivid color. I had to laugh about the well-dressed junior high girls dancing with the high classed boys who were about a foot shorter and aching with pain to be dancing with a girl. It brought back memories of how growth does take place at different times.
The girl ascending image five was so very interesting. I thought the place was perfect, the table with a reflection of the girl, the half completed puzzle, the shadow cast on the wall and low lighting to focus on the girl, standing to stretch her tired search for another piece.
The cellar door was very touching. The photos captured nature in all of its seasons, and with that the advances in time of a little girl who grows into adulthood in her wedding dress. This is a sad progression in time and place as it touches on reality. Time passes, place changes. We all move on.
The doll floating with the child in the pool shows toys of interest and the fun of swimming at a young age. The weathered stone and the adult toes show the foundation.
The images show how a place includes things, people, and trends. She has an amazing eye for detail. I love how she includes life, growth and a time of innocence. These are the photos we preserve. The memories we hold on to and the inspiration we have for living life. What a beautiful life it can be. Place ads the dimension, the sound, the air you breathe in the hot summer sun, crisp fall leaves or chilling cold of the winter snows. The article pointed out how a photo might even bring us back to our first positive pregnancy test. This makes us truly understand how memories are etched in our very being. It brings to light the very fact that we hold and treasure family, friends, life and all its memories.
The images in Popular photography gave us insight for simplicity. The playing in the street, climbing in the perfect tree, showering in plain bathing suits with shower hats and standing to take a photo in front of old garden hoses. Place is about where you come from. It is about what you have done. Place is about living. Place is about friendship and emotion. After seeing her photos I can better understand why I am so drawn to landscapes and the outdoors. This is a place of comfort for me. She tells us a story of others, but in the end it is a reflection of her.