On Location: WordSmith of Sirreal Photography
A few weeks ago, I happened upon a Spoken Word event in which Dexter WordSmith Jones was performing. All I can say about my experience in watching him was that I was blown away. I was mesmerized with his performance, the tonality of his voice, the way certain words once spoken made him stand taller, sway further or gently recede.
Add on top of that, powerful poetry that sounded like a call to a revolution of thinking or awareness or perhaps consciousness. Yes, I was hooked. Art moves me. Some of the most major shifts in my paradigm of thinking and beliefs were motivated, inspired or challenged through my experiences in various forms of art. And in WordSmith, I found another art form that moved me.
I could wax on about how much I enjoy his poetry, but that would not do him justice right now. WordSmith now spends most of his time behind the camera as oppose to behind the mic.
After a conversation or two, WordSmith invited me to observe a photo shoot. I had no idea what to expect.
I will say this, photo shoots are long! And if they are outdoors, you have all sorts of elements to deal with. Passer-byers. Mother Nature. Moving light depending on the time. Issues of trespassing if you really want to capture that particular photo on the porch of that very colorful house.
I suppose its all worth it for that one shot in the unlikeliest of places that makes for the most captivating photo. And if the model is any good, its not just one shot. If she knows how to be your muse, you’ll find perfection and inspiration in almost every shot. Thus, I realized modeling…not so easy.
One thing I liked about WordSmith was that from the get go, he was on the ground looking for the perfect angles to capture a moment. I like that he’s willing to get dirty. The model has all things going for her. All she/he has to do is find their light and use their body and I’m sure he’ll find the beauty. (And if not, I guess that’s what photoshop is for.)
The photo below is from my day in the park observing Dexter. Honestly, this pales in comparison to what you will find on his site. After reading this post you must visit his photography sites listed below.
I noticed that he wanted the model to become one with whatever environment they were a part of. Perhaps that’s all a part of the composition he’s creating. But I notice it in a lot of his photos. Most of the models are in the thick of it…whatever it may be. I find myself at a lost for words. I hope I’m making sense.
Dexter wasn’t demanding. He didn’t dictate where a foot or hand should go. The model has the freedom to do pretty much whatever she wanted. The only thing that he asked was that she not look at the camera unless he asked.
What I find after going through the archives of his photos is that there is a depth and a closeness to his photos. The pictures seem 3 dimensional even though I’m viewing them on a screen. I feel as if I can touch the people, smell the grass and feel the wind that’s softly blowing in the model’s hair. How does he capture a moment that evokes so much sensory response? I have no clue. But it just feels good looking at his pictures.
I like that in a lot of his photos he finds beauty plus something else.
beauty + gritty
beauty + dirt
beauty + mystery
beauty + darkness
beauty + color
beauty + movement
Point is we see pictures and images every day all day. On billboards. On tv. On signs. Online. We see things all the time. But its rare that we see something and have cause to pause. Its rare nowadays that we see something and it evokes a feeling, a response..a gutteral response, an etheral response, a soulful response. I feel as if I’m touching the world when looking at one of his photographs. They are just that engaging to me.
Why wax about art? Why wax on and on about photography or poetry or pictures? Because its powerful. Because it has the ability to move the soul and actually cause revolutions. Because messages can be propogated through them. Because people change because of it. Because thoughts morphs and beliefs alter. From a word. From a musical note. From a moment captured in film.
Speaking of, Dexter introduced me to the work of Fela. I can’t do him justice writing about it. But I love the fact that Fela was a musical artist and a political revolutionary. You have no idea how much I love that. Don’t get me started on socio-political art..especially theater. Back to Fela, Fela used music and Dexter now uses photography.
And soon Dexter will be using his photography in an upcoming Fela exhibit where he will get to showcase his work.
I look forward to the artistic growth of Dexter. Not everyone has the ability to take the seemingly mundane and morph it into sacred art. I’m partial to those that can.
Find Dexter on Facebook or at One Eye Open and One Eye Shut.
And if you see a photo of his that you like, leave a comment and let him know. Artist appreciate that.
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