On Tuesday evening we welcomed Simon Ciappara to talk about paper and printing. Despite the weather we had a reasonable turnout. And members were not disappointed.
As photographers we all know the importance of choosing the right paper for an image. Simon has taken this to another level. He started started making his own paper during lockdown and is still doing it. Most of the material is grown in his garden or sourced locally.
He creates his paper with an image in mind and each sheet is unique; be it the texture or colour. Simon is very creative and thinks outside the box. He uses his photos to create three dimensional books which give the appearance of puzzles and can be viewed from various angles. He urged the group to step out of their comfort zone and experiment with other genres and release their creativity.
Simon explained that a picture does not exist until it's printed. When you hold the print, memories come flooding back to the time and place when it was taken. And if it's shared with others there is an emotional connection. One is also able to feel the texture of the paper and its smell. It is like reading a book.
