Too Aware
Sicily, Italy 2003
It was the first workshop held in my homeland, the island of Sicily where my eyes became sensitive to light and the surrounding vivid daily life.
Along with the eight students and my assistant we drove endlessly around the many Sicilian towns where Easter celebrations are a unique, hart felt spiritual experience.
Every morning after our delicious breakfast prepared by the adorable Rosa at the villa, we would spend several hours editing the film shot the previous day, eliminating the many useless pictures that we all need to take in order to capture with very few the essence of life itself. Under my guidance each individual student was beginning to develop a personal language.
I have fond memories of the time spent together driving around Sicily while photographing intimate and profound moments, eating a quick sandwich on the run or during one of the many delicious meals that we had the pleasure to savor. It was moving to see how the spirit of the group came through strongly.
It’s hard to forget the music scores played live by the many music bands or the tears of relief on the faces of on entire confraternity after the procession had been successfully completed.
As I had promised, it was for all more than a photographic experience: it was an unforgettable life experience. After many years of not shooting there, I had finally started taking pictures again both with my loyal 35 mm camera and with new work tool: the panoramic camera.
During our long critiques, I kept using an expression to convey how the vast majority of the images couldn’t go beyond a mere description of reality, how in many instances the subjects looking at the camera were simply “too aware” of the photographer’s presence and the people were revealing were little of themselves.
During our last supper, all approved the name Too Aware. There you have it. I hope you will enjoy this eclectic group of images. EB
