In 2012 our family grew by 3. A baby girl, a baby boy and a brother. I'm gleefully blessed to have been surrounded by so much love this holiday season.
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Be My Witness
Saturday, December 15, 2012
I’ve photographed my fair share of small, intimate weddings. Some of them have taken place at client homes, small chapels or county courthouses. Shooting at these ceremonies can be a challenge to me (personally) simply because there is no one else around to distract my presence. I try to minimize that. What I do love about quaint ceremonies is that I get the chance to focus more on the couple’s expressions instead of guests’ reactions.
I was drawn to this image because of the despondent gaze of the bride. I thought that she might not approve of the union. Was she forced into this marriage? I also came to the biased assumption that the photo was taken at a home or studio with no one else in attendance. There actually could have been an audience, although traditionally the minister would have faced the guests and not a wall. I couldn’t figure out if the children belonged to the couple or to the man standing behind them. Was the man a witness or possibly the bride’s father? Perhaps the children are siblings of the bride and/or groom.
Until the abolition of slavery in 1865, marriage between slaves was not officially recognized. This photo was taken in 1908.
Based on my comments above and your own observations, what factors do you feel could have influenced this union?
-Ross Oscar Knight
Share your comments at: 50 Shades of Black Website
For updates "like us" at: http://www.facebook.com/50shadesblack
The series was inspired by the contemporary images of 50 SHADES OF BLACK special contributor and fusion/destination wedding photographer Ross Oscar Knight.
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South African and Indian Wedding Rituals
Friday, December 14, 2012
Face painting and body painting has taken place in different cultures for thousands of years. The reasons (however, not limited to) vary from beautification, to religious ceremonies, to entertainment, to political affiliation, to camouflage, to sports and to statements about society. In some cultures face and body painting advocates a shared collective identity while others see “makeup” as a way to differentiate one from a group.
In the Indian culture, the beautification ritual for the bride is called the Pithi. A yellow paste made of chickpea flour, turmeric, rose water, and other ingredients is applied to the bride’s skin. The paste is supposed to even out the skin tone as well as make it glow. Some grooms have this paste applied as well.
After looking at these two images, what do you notice? Independently and as a set, what do these images speak to you about culture, history, skin tone, sexuality, identity…and yourself?
We’d love to hear your thoughts.
-Ross Oscar Knight
Share your comments at: 50 Shades of Black Website
For updates "like us" at: http://www.facebook.com/50shadesblack
The series was inspired by the contemporary images of 50 SHADES OF BLACK special contributor and fusion/destination wedding photographer Ross Oscar Knight.
*LOVE AND MARRIAGE: A New Series by 50 SHADES OF BLACK - a project exploring sexuality and the complexity of skin tone in the shaping of identity.
- Title Image 1: Union of South Africa
- Date Created/Published: Aprl 1950
- Photographer: Margaret Bourke-White
- Repository: LIFE
- Title Image 2: Indian Kathakali Dancer Cochin
- Date Created/Published: December 2011
- Photographer: Ross Oscar Knight
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Parasol: Shielding Sun and The Complexity of Skin Tone
Thursday, December 13, 2012
- Set 1 of 10 Images: Contemporary Photographer Ross Oscar Knight Converses with History and “sheds light” on identity.
From French parasol, from Italian parasole, from para- (“to shield”) + sole (“sun”)
A parasol is a light, small umbrella that is used (typically by women) for protection from the sun. It is made of various fabrics, from cotton to silk. The first parasols are recorded to have been made nearly 5,000 years ago in the East Indies. In the 16th century the parasol was introduced to Europe by way of the Italian renaissance.
“The parasol is most often thought of with Victorian society in England and the U.S. Perhaps the chief reason for its popularity at the time was the Victorian admiration (or obsession) for a fair complexion. It was more than a sign of beauty; it proved to the world that a woman was a lady, who didn’t have to work outdoors like ‘common’ females did.” (quoting Sara’s Parasol’s)
In the 1920’s, parasols lost popularity when skin tanning became more accepted for status symbols. Darker skin in some cultures proved that one had the free time to stay at the beach or on vacation indefinitely. Not until the 1990’s did increased awareness about skin cancer and harsh UV rays bring a resurgence of taking better care of one’s skin.
Today, many brides carry parasols for fashion while some still use the umbrellas as an elegant accessory for sun protection.
The image I took in Savannah in 2009 shows a bride leading her bridesmaids through a moss tree filled park. The parasols are being used as a fashion statement and coordinate with the bride’s flowers and the bridesmaid’s dresses.
After looking at these two images, what do you notice? What does this image speak to you about love, marriage, skin tone, status, history, identity…and yourself.
We’d love to hear your thoughts.
-Ross Oscar Knight
Share your comments at: 50 Shades of Black Website
For updates "like us" at: http://www.facebook.com/50shadesblack
The series was inspired by the contemporary images of 50 SHADES OF BLACK special contributor and fusion/destination wedding photographer Ross Oscar Knight.
*LOVE AND MARRIAGE: A New Series by 50 SHADES OF BLACK - a project exploring sexuality and the complexity of skin tone in the shaping of identity.
- Title Image 1: Carrying bride to home of bridegroom, Chosen (Korea)
- Date Created/Published: c1919 Dec. 18.
- Medium: 1 photographic print on stereo card : stereograph.
- Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
- Title Image 2: Bride and Bridesmaids in Savannah, GA
- Date Created/Published: July 25, 2009
- Medium: Digital
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The Mail Person Mistake - Who is Your Daddy?
Saturday, December 8, 2012
I saw our mail person (mp) today at the house and this was our exchange:
mp: Hi, how are you today.
me: I'm well. I think I have a package that arrived.
mp: Ok. Are you related to Brandi? She just had a baby, you know.
me: I do know.
mp: That baby is cute.
me: Yep. I think so.
mp: You know, I can give you the package. You look like Brandi's brother. The baby favors you too.
me: I have 5 sisters and Brandi is not one of them.
mp: No way
me: Yes way.
mp: (hands me the package) so who are you?
me: I'm Brandi's husband and the baby's father. Have a great day.
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Ross Oscar Knight India Exhibit Featured by Uptown Magazine
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
My opening reception is featured on Uptown Magazine's site! Thanks Photoman Paras for the shots.
Check it out here: http://uptownmagazine.com/clique/ross-oscar-knight-exhibit/
Check it out here: http://uptownmagazine.com/clique/ross-oscar-knight-exhibit/
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The Billowing Veil at the NYLO Hotel by Ross Oscar Knight
Monday, December 3, 2012
Lionel and Alanna @ NYLO Hotel in Irving, TX
It was a breezy day, so much so that while we were outside the bride's veil blew off of her head and over the bridal party! Planner extraordinaire, Marion Marshall, was there to diffuse the situation.
It was a breezy day, so much so that while we were outside the bride's veil blew off of her head and over the bridal party! Planner extraordinaire, Marion Marshall, was there to diffuse the situation.
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