Goodbye 2015: A Year in Review

 I wanted to take a pause this New Year to think about 2015. It’s easy to let a year go by and not want to reflect on the goings on of that year—immediately putting resolutions on the wall and wishing for the next year to constantly be better that the previous. 

Aline Smithson made a post on Lenscratch of her and her team’s Favorite Things of 2015. So, I wanted to make a contribution to this by making my own list! See blow.

Favorite Light Leaked Post of 2015

Tall Tales: aninvestigative look into the surreal

Tall Tales was an online and physical exhibition on Light Leaked and at Canopy Collective in Cleveland, OH. It was an amazing experience to put together with Caitie Moore and Erika Dee. All the work! All the conversations over Skype! I loved that it involved creating a selection of images from the photography community and that it provided an opportunity to curate a focused selection of a lot of photographers at once. I was really proud of how the exhibition that came together.


Honorable Mention:

How to: Make a UV Exposure Unit for Alternative Process

This year Light Leaked started creating tutorial posts for processes that I felt this community would find valuable. For this post, the power couple, Ashley Whitt and Ross Faircloth, shared the process of how they created an inexpensive (and huge!) UV exposure unit for alternative processes in their at-home studio. And it was glorious.

Favorite Featured Light Leaked Artist of 2015

Abbey Hepner

I met Abbey earlier this year and I immediately connected with her and her work on nuclear energy. Rooted in science, research, and inquiry, Abbey’s work brings the viewer into a world in which we assume a lot, but actually know very little. And we’re all better for it. In November the curator and independent writer, Laura Addison, conducted an insightful interview with Abbey about her work. If you missed it, make sure to check it out!

Favorite Photography Book of 2015

Many amazing photography books were published this year. Here’s a few I LOVED:

Aline Smithson, Self & Others, Magenta Foundation

You guys. This book. What words can I even use to describe the genius of Aline and the Magenta Foundation? First, let’s talk design. I got the special edition of this book and I think it is the way to go if you haven’t bought your copy yet. The print and color choices are so, Aline: off-beat, seductive, smart, fun. Something about it feels like an f-you to the simple traditional style of monographs, and I love it. The layout of the images and pages are playful and experimental—very in line with Aline’s work. This also creates a rhythmic flow through the pages, and before you know it, you’re at the end and need to start again. It also really tells the story of Aline’s growth as an artist over the years: her movement from one idea to the next and really, the playful nature that entails. It’s the journey of a powerful and intimate artist telling stories, and we are all lucky enough to have a front row seat.

Honorable Mention:

Maude Schuyler Clay, Mississippi History, Steidl

Oh my goodness, Maude Schuyler Clay is a Southern goddess. Mississippi History is absolutely one of the most beautiful photography books I have seen in person. The printing is divine, the design, scale and sequencing is heaven. Every detail is so considered that it makes this lifetime of work sing out from the page, begging re-viewing. The content is expansive, spanning thirty years of color work that comes together to describe a personal, photographic, Mississippi history.

I can foresee Mississippi History being talked about with the likes of Stephen Shore and Robert Frank in the future. I am not even worrying about overselling it, because this is the truth.

Honorable Mention 2:

Lori Vrba, The Moth Wing Diaries, Daylight Books

To start, the cover is a smooth, velvety white hardcover with a tipped in photograph and letter pressed text. The images are expertly printed on thick weight paper and are amazing replications of the hand-toned photographs I’ve seen in person. Overall, the book is simple yet elegant. The work causes the viewer to reflect on family, love, relationships, memory, life… It’s a stunning visual poem.

Daylight published some beautiful books this year, and I am really looking forward to their future as a publishing house.

Favorite Non-Photographic Book of 2015

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

"You do not need anybody’s permission to live a creative life."

I know some people may be skeptical of a book written by Elizabeth Gilbert--if Eat, Pray, Love wasn't your thing. But any fan of Art and Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland will love this book. It's a deep investigation into the mysteries of the creative process and living a creative life.

This book was like getting advice from a trusted friend, and caused me to reflect on my artist practice, expectations of myself, and how to manifest ideas into art. In short, it was the most inspirational book I read this year.

Honorable Mention:

Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town by: Jon Krakauer

Note: there are graphic descriptions of rape in this book

Missoula chronicles the rape allegations from several college-aged women at the University of Missoula from 2008-2012, as well as the overall state of sexual assault in America. First, Krakauer is a nuanced nonfiction writer and investigative journalist. Second, this book raises powerful and essential questions surrounding how our society handles rape cases. I would describe this as the most insightful and heart-wrenching book I read this year.

Honorable Mention 2:

The Night Circus by: Erin Morgenstern

Okay. So this book came out in 2011. But I read it for the first time (and the 2nd time and the 3rd time) this year. The Night Circus is a finely drawn dark narrative that intertwines the lives of 3 protagonists as they navigate the creation and possible destruction of a traveling circus, Le Cirque des Rêves, that only opens at night. This was simply the most fun read/listen* of the year for me.


*A quick shout out to Audible (not sponsored), which I got this year, and was definitely the BEST money I spent. I work a lot, and used to only read books before I went to bed. Now, I can listen to amazing productions of books on my phone when I'm working, driving, cleaning, and yes, about to go to bed. Because of this, I have read (listened?) to more books this year than the last several years combined. Check it out, especially if you are an auditory learner, like me.

Inspirational Photographer of 2015

Micah Cash

A source of inspiration for me this year came from the magic that is Micah Cash. He is an articulate, smart, well-rounded artist that works in photography and painting. Not to mention a caring and inspiring friend. His work, Dangerous Waters, takes any viewers understanding of the TVA to new levels.

Here’s a couple things Mr. Cash taught me this year:

1. The power of the conceptual landscape 
2. The power of intricately researched work 
3. The power of confidence 
4. The power of public speaking 

Favorite Photography Event of 2015

Light Leaked Meet-up at SPE

This was definitely one of the most fun events of the year, for me. It was so great to see a lot of Light Leaked artists and readers come together in one place, interchange ideas, and meet one another. I wish we could have events like this more often because this was seriously inspiring. Look out for an invite to the next meet-up at SPE in Las Vegas!

Favorite Album of 2015

Blue Neighborhood by Troye Sivan

Blue Neighborhood is a pop/synth affair that is the first studio album by this Australian singer/songwriter. I describe him as a male Lorde to anyone who asks. Although this album is not perfect, it is beautifully emotional. It’s sexy! It’s fun! It’s been on repeat.

Note: amazing noodle dancing in above video

First listen to: Youth

Honorable Mention:

Cicada Rhythm by Cicada Rhythm 

Cicada Rhythm is an Athens, GA based folk duo that are as haunting as they are beautiful. The album is very Townes van Zandt meets Regina Spektor. Drive with the windows down to “Dirty Hound.”

First listen to: Do Not Destroy

Favorite Professional Moment of 2015

Photo by: Tamara Reynolds 

Questions of Origin Solo Exhibition and Panel at Slow Exposures

Slow Exposures is a rising star in the world of photography festivals. Based in rural Georgia, and organized by Chris Curry. These “Four Slow Days” are full of photography exhibitions, pop up shows, artist/juror talks, and drinking wine on porches. Last year also marked the beginning of an artist in residency program, which is currently open for submissions.


Questions of Origin was selected by Aline Smithson and Alexa Dilworth as the solo show award winning at the juried exhibition the previous year. It was a great solo exhibition and panel discussion with Karen Lacey and Celeste Headlee that was broadcast on GPB Radio at Slow Exposures.

Seeing the work together and talking about it detail with a panel and an audience, brought a sense of perspective and resolution to that work that I didn’t have before.

Favorite Personal Moment of 2015

This year I got engaged! My now fiancé, Ethan Fogus, brought me on a kayaking trip in the Tennessee mountains and proposed with his grandmother’s ring from the 1920s. It was beautiful, sweet, and fun. For those who don’t know Ethan, he is a Bruce-Springsteen-loving-hilarious-songwriter-musician-poet-educator-allaroundgreatperson. I’m really looking forward to our life together!

All that being said, here’s some resolutions I have for 2016:

1. Create more artist run contributions (articles, tutorials, exhibitions, interviews) on Light Leaked. Have one in mind? Email to: lightleaked@gmail.com
2. Have more conversations in person (I will accept Skype in this resolution) 
3. Take time to sit quietly 
4. Spend more time outside, away from my computer 
5. Don’t check my email first thing in the morning 
6. Always have a running 6 month plan
7. Make more work
8. Share my work with others 
9. Practice generosity, kindness, and empowerment with everyone 
10. Practice confidence and empowerment with myself 

Thank you to the community of Light Leaked and the photo community at large for making this a great 2015! Your passion, inspiration and encouragement are everything.

How to: Make a UV Exposure Unit for Alternative Processes

In this tutorial, Ashley Whitt and Ross Faircloth, share their experience creating an at-home UV exposure unit. If you live in a location that seldom sees sunlight, or would like to work on alt process any time of the day and night without buying an expensive pre-made unit, continue reading!

Items needed 

all can be purchased from Home Depot or Lowes

•   Screwdriver (flat head)

•   Wire Strippers

•   Electrical tape

•   48” Light Fixture (2)

•   48” UV Bulbs (4)

•   Fabric (Opaque) 

•   Electrical wire, cut to length (2) 

Wire type: Carol 3/C 14 AWG SJOOW 300volt (the exact wire brand is unknown, your local hardware store should have this wire on a large rack to buy per foot, an associate will cut it down to size for you.  Just let them know you need standard wire (w/ ground wire inside) for a fluorescent light fixture)

•   Electrical plug – three prong (2)

•   Wire nuts (6) – any size will work

1. Buy two Fluorescent light fixtures (48”) at your local hardware store. If you buy them and they are not pre-wired you will probably save a little money but add an extra step later in the process. 

 2. You will also need to buy 4 UV bulbs, at 48”. If you chose a light fixture without pre-existing wires, you need to also pick up two lengths of Electrical cable and two 120v plugs. 

3. We installed our light fixtures into a pre-existing set of storage shelves. This saved time because we did not have to create a wooden box or structure to house the light fixtures.  Storage Shelves: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Edsal-48-W-x-24-D-x-72-H-5-Shelf-Steel-Shelving-Black/21685762

4. When you get the lighting fixtures home, find the instructions inside the box. These provide a general outline of the way the wires run in the lighting fixture. Be careful of the sharp metal edges.

 5. After setting up the lighting fixture properly, you are now ready to attach the electrical cord you had cut to length to the wires in the lighting fixture.  You should see a power box inside the lighting fixture that has two wires (black and white) coming out of it.  There is also a green painted screw about mid-way down inside the light fixture, this is for your ground wire (green wire).  You will unscrew this just enough to fit the exposed copper around the threads of the screw then tighten it back down. 

6. Use the wire strippers or a utility knife to strip back 2-3” of the main cord. This will expose the black, white and green wires inside.  Now strip back about ½-1” of each wire (white, black, and green), that you just exposed from inside the main chord.

7. Use your wire nuts to attach the now exposed copper from the black and white wires to each corresponding wire (black to black, white to white).  After this is complete, the lighting fixture is ready to be closed up.  Electrical tape can be used to hold the cover tight, mine liked to slip and hit the bulbs every now and then. 

8. Move on to the other end of your electrical wire and strip back enough to allow you to connect each wire to the correct screws inside your 3-prong plug.  The amount to strip back can be tricky as it is a tight fit for all 3 wires so err on the side of to little, as you can always strip back more as needed.

9. Inside the 3-Prong plug you will see a gold screw, silver screw and green screw.  The gold screw will connect to the black wire, the silver to white and green to green. When you finish tightening all the screws down and close up the plug your U.V. box is ready for the UV bulbs.

10. The UV bulbs will slide into the grooves and twist counter-clockwise to set in place. Once both bulbs have been put in the lighting fixture is ready to be plugged in.

11. Hanging the lights is next and may vary depending on your placement. The simplest hanging method is metal hangers with a chain. These will either come with the lighting fixture or will be sold right next to them.  

Complete exposure unit (uncovered)

Complete exposure unit (covered)

12. Once everything is hung, the next stop is keeping as much UV light contained as possible.  We taped thin paper boards on the left and right sides of the shelf (like you find on the back of sketchpads or legal pads). You can use anything here that fits the space (approx.. 18-24” x 18-24”, depending on size of shelving unit).  Then use an opaque fabric to cover the long sides (48”), it should be large enough that it covers front and back down to the printing surface (approx.. 42”). 

Cover lifted to show cyanotype exposing 

13. To create an exposure, place a contact frame containing your image HERE and turn the exposure unit on. Set an alarm on your phone for the exposure time, and when it beeps turn the unit off. 

 Garments by Kristen Whitt. For inquiries about fabric and/or garments, please email: whittandwhittfabric@gmail.com

P.S- the winner of the giveaway will be announced tomorrow

Ashley Whitt

Ashley Whitt is a fine art photographer whose work deals with themes of duality within the self, psychological states, and mortality. She uses a variety of photographic techniques including dass transfers, digital manipulation in Photoshop, sculptural bookmaking, and traditional darkroom processes. Ashley is a Texas native and currently resides in Denton.

Ashley graduated from Texas Woman's University where she earned her MFA in Photography in 2012. She graduated from UT Arlington with a BFA in Photography in 2009. Ashley currently adjuncts in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for Dallas County and Collin County Community Colleges. Her work has been shown locally, nationally, and internationally including Texas, Vermont, California, China, and India.

Project Statement: The Haunted Mind

''In the depths of every heart, there is a tomb and a dungeon, though the lights, the music, and revelry above may cause us to forget their existence, and the buried ones, or prisoners whom they hide. But sometimes, and oftenest at midnight, those dark receptacles are flung wide open. In an hour like this, when the mind has a passive sensibility, but no active strength; when the imagination is a mirror, imparting vividness to all ideas, without the power of selecting or controlling them; then pray that your griefs may slumber, and the brotherhood of remorse not break their chain.''

            - Nathanial Hawthorne, "The Haunted Mind" from "Twice Told Tales", 1851

The Haunted Mind is a body of work that addresses themes of duality, anxiety, and mortality. When my mother passed away five years ago, I became consumed by depression and anxiety. These images are visual representations of the fears and anxieties that exist within myself. Multiple figures inhabit the frame to depict internal conflicts and the duality that exists within the self. Inspiration for the series comes from literature, film noir, nightmares, and an obsession with death. The images are primarily created in wooded areas and isolated landscapes in order to visually depict the unconscious mind.

Using digital manipulation, multiple figures are montaged within each landscape to convey anxiety and duality within the self. The images are printed onto Dass transfer film and are transferred onto Stonehenge fine art paper. The transfer allows for manipulation, which can blur or distort parts of the image. This distortion created during the transfer process creates an ethereal, dreamlike aesthetic that alters the sense of reality in each image. The finished pieces are one of a kind and cannot be replicated.

Photo Friday: Ashley Whitt

For this Photo Friday, I want to highlight some of my favorite works by my best friend Ashley Whitt in celebration of her birthday. Happy Birthday to the woman who constantly inspires and supports me -- Here's to you! 

Ashley Whitt is a Dallas native and artist who currently resides in Denton, Texas. Ashley recieved her MFA in Photography from Texas Woman's University and her BFA from UT Arlington. Whitt's imagery focuses on a personal journey and narrative while drawing inspiration from literature, film noir, and the history of art and photography. She implements a variety of photographic techniques including pinhole, plastic camera, alternative processes, digital imaging, and traditional silver printing.

View more of Ashley's work here: http://ashleywhitt.com/home.html