Creating Dramatic Self Portraits (feat. Fiona Lark)

Links for Fiona:

Music:
'Illuminate' by Shawn Williams

My links:

In this video I head up to the Lake District to interview Fiona Lark about her dramatic self portraits. She shares how and why she shoots her images, and how she came upon her style. In the era of the selfie she has a refreshingly earthy approach to shooting images of herself which have depth and texture to them, and go a long way to conveying personality and story.

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#portraits #selfportraits #blackandwhite

[deniselisboa]

"I havent taken a good photo yet"

-Proceeds to show some of the best images i've ever laid my eyes on in my entire life

[mohelism]

This is a Master Class, it's just free.

[professionalvideos]

This was a very well-made mini-documentary. The subject, Fiona, was so self-effacing, that any photographer who has struggled with wondering where they fit in relation to their peers, (especially the ones they greatly admire), can easily relate to. I especially loved hearing her describe the cycle of self-doubt she goes through, ranging from "I'm not good enough" to "I'm pretty good", to questioning her editing choices and even her motives for doing what she does... and then coming full circle, and starting it all over again. I also liked hearing her say that she's not worried if she takes a hundred photos, and none of them turn out well, because she's confident that, eventually, she will end up getting a good shot tomorrow... or the next day.


She has a wonderful smile, and although she only hinted at what sort of hard times she has been through, it was easy to imagine how a walk through the mountains, and a long session of taking photos, helps to restore her soul when she's feeling low.


I also enjoyed hearing how she can't wait to get to her iPad to start editing her images, even when she's exhausted, because I think we can all relate to that desire to see what we've gotten, and to start picking through the so-so images, in hopes of finding a gem or two. (Or maybe taking an ordinary image, and turning it into something more interesting and dramatic.)


I was glad that none of her images were shown until the very end, because it really helped to keep a sense of mystery and anticipation, while hearing about her methods and philosophy. Because, I can't help but feel that I might not have appreciated them in the same way, if I had seen them before knowing more about her personally, and how she chooses her spots, and what photography means to her.


Although she creates self-portraits, she didn't strike me as self-indulgent at all, because she explained what prompted her to begin adding herself to the landscapes to begin with, and how she'd love to have models to work with, but no one wants to walk a mountain with her in the freezing mist at 5 o'clock in the morning!


(Having seen the simplicity of her backgrounds, it almost feels strange to call them "landscapes", because oftentimes, they are just mist and vignettes.)


The editing in this video was also beautiful, and I loved the interplay between soaring drone footage over lakes and mountains, and then coming back to Fiona sitting in her sweater in a cozy room, talking about what photography means to her.


And, something about the entire piece being shown in black and white really worked for me. It helped show the starkness and rugged beauty of the terrain, and emphasize the many textures, (without the distraction of color), which set the stage nicely for her own black & white images.


This is beautiful work, Sean. From start to finish, you've created one of the most affecting and insightful presentations of a young photographer and what drives her that I have ever seen.


The trend of young photographers to be seen as hip and trendy and wizards with their cameras has already gotten very stale for me. Because the one thing they never seem to discuss is their actual love and passion for the process of creating images. Instead, they focus on flying to some fashionable locale to try out a new camera or lens or light, and in the end, the best thing I can say about it might be, "Hmmm, interesting."


But after seeing your documentary, a bland word like "interesting" seems very inadequate. (Although it did hold my interest greatly.) Rather, I found myself thinking a series of words throughout, such as "beautiful", "touching", "heartfelt", "vulnerable" and "relateable."


The leisurely pace of the story, and the extra work involved in showing the many lovely places Fiona likes to haunt on her travels, (including the wonderful shot of driving along the wavy, undulating road by the lake), helped to make this much more of a story about the inner process of becoming a photographer, and far less about the tools she uses to reach that goal.


It reminded me of being in High School, many years ago, and the excitement of creating black & white images in a dark room, and the joy of being able to capture places in town that other people never looked. (Like under bridges, or abandoned homes.) And Fiona seems to have that same excitement and rush of joy, where she can't wait to see what she's got.


Very inspiring, Sean, and very beautiful. This is one you can look back on ten years from now, and still feel very good about.

[RohannvanRensburg]

Ah, the cycle of the artist:
"This is ok"
"This is great"
"This is hard"
"This is garbage"
" *I* am garbage"
"This is ok"'


Lovely person, and a kindred spirit (re: mist and mountains). Really appreciate her humility, as well as the joy and peace through which she creates. Fantastic feature for your channel, your style and presentation were of utmost excellence.


I'd really love to see how she postprocesses. I realize it's 90% composition and an eye for lighting, but that final touch on top is what brings the atmosphere together.

[_rhapsodist]

she is way too modest, her images are absolutely amazing and truly inspiring!

[mandalsayani]

She has such a divine presence... I really do admire such genuine down to earth humble personalities.. Great to see, our world still have such pure souls walking amongst us... ✨💗😇

[chasingvenusfilmarts]

Be warned: This is eye watering, majestic and humbling from both the production as well as subject. Much Respect.

[lannokia]

We have officially found the female version of Sean Tucker!! Her images are extremely evocative. They share the same brooding, melancholic quality that Sean's work does. This was an absolutely top notch little film. It made my heart sing!

[warrengedye]

Fiona Lark is one incredible lady. She is beautiful, yet humble and incredibly talented. She has a fundamental connection with nature and the outdoors which totally resonates with me. One can see she has had some real challenges in her life, of which she has overcome, and one of those healing channels has been that of her photography. I have much admiration for such souls of this Earth. You’re an inspiration Fiona!!
Now you Mr Tucker. Not only do I love your photography and your extraordinary ability to pass on your knowledge in such a wonderful way, but you have now just blown me away with your videography! Man, you are such a talented oke!!! This wasn’t a YouTube “clip” I’ve just watched, this is a short professional documentary, with an incredible writer, DOP, Producer, Director & editor. You’re an inspiration mate! SERIOUSLY! I kid you not! Thank you Sean!

[julianabarrington]

Thank you for this, my friend, I find Fiona and I share much in common. Photography became my door to recovery from PTSD after losing my disabled son through some pretty horrible circumstances. There is healing in the soul when alone with our camera, we climb to the highest peak, allowing the peace of nature to fill our hearts and free our minds.

[choosecheese]

"Photography, where men compare the length of their lenses" Hahaha.

[FBall-imui]

I have been a photographer for 45 years and after witnessing this fabulous work I am in awe for this young lady, well done, ma belle! Thank you for sharing. From Canada eh!

[gillianpeckham]

I adore you for calling out the gear driven culture of photography. Thank you for always being about the art and soul. Also I love your channel and your photography

[netwolfstar]

Breath of fresh air, auto, no tripod no complex gear. All about the art and no care for the tech, awesome. This lake district seems like a place i always dream of living in, a very beautiful place the world is pitty we spend so much time tearing it down ans fighting over it.

[sidvicious]

Sean you are a standout that doesn't allow his channel to be over run with nonsense. FIONA is as beautiful as her photography. This sounds alot like another thing I know called being an Audiophile, where people get obsessed with 5000 thousand dollar power cables and sound becomes secondary, it becomes about the gear.

When photography becomes the means and the gear the end, we are all in trouble.Thank you for being grounded and providing a higher standard for your channel.

[francoislauzon]

Sean, this video is a masterpiece. My jaw dropped for a few minutes. Black and white is both powerful and intimate, even timeless. Thanks so much for sharing.

[FTrovatten]

What a stunning interview! Thanks Sean! This is one of my favorite photography interviews ever.

[clartypaths]

Fionas' images made me cry, she can relax, she's a photographer.

[lizardboy]

Wow, wow and wow again Stunningly shot, with superb tones and light . Engaging interview with a really talented photographer enhanced by the mellow soundtrack . Her images are superb . Best shot film i've seen in YEARS .

[wilbmoore]

Ok. Again I've said it before and I'll say it again. How anyone could give this a thumbs down is utterly ridiculous to me. This young lady is extremely gifted and her work reflects her beauty inside and out. The simplicity of it all is amazing.