Amy Stein

Amy stein's March 4th lecture was quite refreshing. Unlike some of the other artists to visit this year, Amy's work mattered to me and I related with her ideas and could really appreciate her position. The fact that she started doing photography at age 32 was reassuring because it showed me that there's a way to get yourself "in" even if it's not all that premeditated. She has an approach to photography that just seems really genuine and wholehearted. I also found comfort in her admittance that she know little to nothing about lighting and that she can operate without having to understand every intricate detail about her medium and still attain her desired results.

Her domesticated series seems to have been an amazing journey. The small town of Matamoris really opened their doors and welcomed Amy in. I think that says something, not only about the town's people, but also about Amy. I would not expect a small town to be super stranger-with-camera friendly but she connected with them and her photographs reflect her discovery of a relationship between man and animal. I really liked Predator as well as Deer and Boar because I think they portray that the best.




Her Stranded series was pretty remarkable too. The product of an 8 year long voluntary service in the self appointed position of an interstate roadside assistant, her series Stranded has more than a few gems in my opinion; all of which really capture the experience of being exactly what she called them, stranded.



This image was particularly eye catching. The wood introduces a color temperature that you don't see much throughout the rest of the series. The way the overpass dwarfs this motorist and his minivan does a good job of conveying how little one vehicle is and how insignificant it is in a sea of other vehicles.

As a whole, this series sounded like a similar experience to Domesticated as far as her relationship with these people. Amy's dedication really pays off and is admirable considering how long some of these projects have spanned; not that they are really ever finish. I loo forward to following Amy and her work. I'm sure that whatever direction she goes, I'm sure that her work will be worth the wait.