September 14, 2010

Julia Cameron, sharing a favorite inspiration




    The ethereal world of Julia Margaret Cameron's   photography is so sensitive and evocative I feel like I'm stepping through to another world whenever I take time to visit them.



    Julia was gifted a camera by her daughter in 1868 as a remedy to loneliness, her children were grown and husband traveling on business.   Julia was 48 years old when started taking photos and soon became entranced with photography turning her chicken coop into a dark room!

    I find Julia's work so inspiring, not only did she start her work with a new technology quite late in life (and 48 was later then than now!) she seemed to have little regard for the conventions of the medium, reveling in the soft focus, grains and magic that came with the large glass plates. She was a true pioneer.

This piece is her Merlin, so delightfully atmospheric!

Don't you adore the chicken coop story? I love to read the magazine "Where Women Create" but I don't think anyone can top the coop!

12 comments:

Heather said...

I love her photos, they are so dreamy and beautiful. Especially her shots of children. I think the chicken coop story is wonderful!

mermaiden said...

I love her photographic illustration for Idylls of the King. She was a remarkable woman for any era, but indeed a treasure in her time.

Janet Ghio said...

Thank you so much for introducing me to this wonderful photographer and her beautiful and haunting photographs!!

Janet Ghio said...

I'm back. Do you have a book of her photographs or did you find these all by googling them? If you have a book, what is the name of it? Thanks

Jaime Haney said...

I'm not familiar with her either... yet. I like what I see so far and can't wait to check out her work. That sounds like a million years ago doesn't it? But her work looks eternal.

Cat (darklingwoods) said...

Dear Janet, I found these photos online, There are books on Amazon but they are pretty pricey so one day :) but not this day!
actually I really enjoy the youtube slide shows (folks do such a lovely job I think!)

So happy to introduce you to her, I found her just a few years ago while searching for Merlin and Vivien images and came across hers! I fell in love right away!

Cat (darklingwoods) said...

Mermaiden, yes! those photo's look more like paintings don't they?

Jamie I just find her such an inspiration on so many levels! She didn't follow form in a brand new media, and followed her heart with such vision .. such a gift!

Heather I think the children are my favorites too!

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

Hi Cat,
I was not familiar with Julia's work either.. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful journey into her world of photos.
I have a strong sense of calm watching the video. I think it is the expresions on all the faces.. It is in the eyes I believe. Just beautiful.
Blessings,
Penny

Anonymous said...

They are beautiful. I'm reminded of Lewis Carroll's photographs of Alice Liddell. Did people have a different look in their eyes then? Less jaded, less worn maybe. Thanks for posting.

Theresa MacNaughton said...

How beautiful! Thank you so very much for sharing Julia's work. I am sad to say that I had not heard of her. So, I really and truly appreciate the introduction! Have a wonderful week, Cat! Theresa

mermaiden said...

I have a book about her that I got at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 1988. It is a prized possession!

doorstep loans said...

nice work. i like it!