The combination of images has interested renowned photographer James O’Mara since he began taking photographs.
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Vancouver Photographer James O’Mara He has traveled around the world photographing daring characters, such as Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Lionel Messi, James Taylor, jeff wall, Andy Warhol, Diana Krall, Elvis Costello, Carole King and Colin James.
O’Mara’s work has been exhibited around the world and is collected internationally.
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An accomplished documentary filmmaker and graphic artist, omara He has also created commercial work for some of the world’s leading brands.
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Now O’Mara is home releasing her latest show and book, both titled Duets. They allowed him to delve into a “life of visual diaries” and combine two images to create a new story, while offering viewers an invitation to contemplate shared humanity and connectivity.
Duets exhibition and book launch will take place at the Paul Kyle Gallery in Vancouver on April 20. The exhibition will be open until May 18.
Ahead of the event, Postmedia asked the busy photographer to answer a few questions.
Q: When did it first occur to you to merge two photos to create the Duets images?
TO: I have been collecting images since I started taking photographs. The old contact sheet naturally puts them together in sequences. That has always attracted me. A few photos can tell a great story. Over the years I have combined fragments, shadows and abstract shapes into collages, but never just two, as I did with Duets.
Q: I imagine a floor full of prints that you moved like chess pieces until you found a perfect partner for each print. Does that look anything like how you combined the photos?
TO: The idea for the Duets book began several years ago. I placed hundreds of postcard-sized prints on a large map table. I started with independent stories that I liked. The duos often came from different places and were years apart. Some gravitated toward each other immediately because of elements they both had or didn’t have like a color story, a composition that contrasted each other, or just looked good together. It’s a feeling. I finished with 64 in the book.
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Q: Did you have any rules when choosing photos to combine?
TO: Duos work even if you put them backwards. I chose to have them a certain way, but if you turn them around, they still have a balance that works. My way of thinking goes back to when I was a child. Balance was always important to me while drawing and painting, and that continued into art school. When I photograph, I compose things my way, hopefully in a slightly different way than most people see things. Every person who makes art has their own sense of what works. I have mine. It’s subjective.
Q: What is your number one tip for an amateur photographer?
TO: If I were advising a person who is dedicated to photography today, I would recommend studying painting and drawing. Even if the person does not know how to paint or draw well, he will learn about the elements that make a work successful.
Q: How important is travel to you as an artist?
TO: People take photographs when they travel because they may never return there. That’s not my reason for photographing when I travel. I am excited by the textures and elements that a place can have that we don’t have here in everyday life. I overeat when I’m somewhere else. I have to document everything I see and like. I’m constantly shooting. If people want to visit my studio, they have to get inside my head.
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Q: Your latest book and exhibition, Encounters, celebrated your portrait work. The focus of the duets is more about place. So what do you prefer, people or places?
TO: People in places.
Q: What’s the last thing you took a photo of before answering these questions?
TO: The last pictures from my camera are of shadows of people walking and reflections.
Q: Do you always carry a camera with you?
TO: Having a camera on my shoulder is part of my wardrobe. I don’t use it often, but it’s comforting to know that if I want it, it’s there.
The James O’Mara Duets exhibition will be open from April 20 to May 18 (Tuesday to Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) at the Paul Kyle Gallery at 4–258 East 1st Ave. (second floor ).
Duet Book Launch and Signing on April 20, 1 to 5:30 p.m.
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