'Some models fully embrace being "on show" while a few, sort of hide from it.'
Longtime FH viewers know that I love window shots. I also love exploring the many meanings, elements and themes that windows hold for so many of us. In photography, no matter what the subject, one of the essential elements is of course light. For 'travelling photographers', artists without their own studio, are often on the move, meeting models in locations near where they live. This usually means the shoots occur primarily in hotel and motel rooms.
Given the nature of travel, it doesn't make sense for photographers to lug around heavy camera equipment to every shoot. Although some may bring a few pieces, generally, they rely on natural light, meaning the size, and placement of the room's windows can be crucial to their work. London based photographer Jack Saul is a traveling photographer, and although he often shoots in London, his portable studio is usually a hotel room, and his key light, the room's main window.
Although this can be restrictive at times, it also means Jack has to be creative, and embrace the voyeuristic elements that go along with it. In addition to light, windows are also act as an aperture, something Jack fully embraces within his work. In photography, the term aperture refers to the photographer's lens that admits the light. In general terms however, aperture simply means a hole. An opening, or an open space.
Jack utilizes both of these in his work, using the window for light, and using the window's open space as a stage for his models to perform in. In many of Jack's shoots, the model poses near, or beside the window. In many others however, the model poses within the four corners of the opening. The window is their performance space, fully set up with a defined performance space, and even a stage curtain. On one side, there's the photographer, the director and observer. On the other side, there's the audience, sometimes real, other times, left to the imagination of the model.
Windows are meant to be looked out of, and looked into, and Jack usually leaves it up to the model to decide which path they choose. Many perform just for Jack and the camera, ignoring who might be enjoying the show from the other side. Others embrace the open window, and pose for whoever, or whatever, might be on the other side.
This voyeuristic element is one of the reasons I love window shots. Although Jack usually picks hotel rooms higher up in the building, the model can never be sure who might be enjoying the performance, from down below, or from other windows, from the many other buildings beside, in front of, or surrounding the hotel.
We all use our windows as stages, even if we don't do consciously. Our living room, bathroom, and especially our bedrooms, are set up around where the windows are located. Depending on what's on the other side, a busy street, a nosy neighbour, or an open field or empty lot. We all take into account where our chairs go, where our bed is positioned, and what window treatments we use. Some, make choices to ensure privacy. Others, want to ensure the get view to the outside, and that the light can get in. Whether you perform to a full house, or to closed curtain, the show as we all know, does go on.
I've written before about the time I was I was in University, and had to do field placements at hospitals. I usually started working at midnight, which meant heading to work late in the evening. I didn't have a car then, and the buses stopped about 10 or 11pm. I usually walked the 45 minutes or so to and from the hospital. I'd walked the same route many times during the day and never really noticed anyone's windows, or what might be happening, on the other side.
Late at night however, the view was entirely different. With it being so dark, most of the windows were well lit, and if the curtains were open, there were many different shows going on all at the same time. Post were not that exciting, but occasionally, I got a surprise. There was one third floor window, that often had the same performer, a guy in his white briefs, that I got to enjoy. He wasn't doing anything especially performative, he was usually sitting on his couch, or at a desk. Occasionally, he be standing or walking from room to room, these were the best nights, on those walks to work.
Given it was late in the evening, the particular window in question, wasn't pulling in any light. The aperture was purely performative, even if the guy didn't have any idea of the enjoyment he was bringing his audience. The models shot by Jack Saul know, and they pose accordingly. Some embrace who's on the other side, and some hide, saving their best moves, for the camera lens inside the room.
You can check out more of Jack Saul's 'window work', and read the three main reasons he enjoys utilizing the aperture within his work, on the NEXT PAGE HERE:
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