Falling in love …
We live in a colourful vibrant world where nature is constantly on display. From its pinkie-purple hues streaked across the sky, to a lonely red leaf dancing in the wind or a fluffy-yellow baby duck feverishly trying to keep up with its mother. The only thing missing is the orchestra, accompanying nature in the background.
But all of this beauty is just the backdrop for the real stars of the show, the people. It’s the people that truly make the world come alive. We touch, inspire and move each other to tears by how we express ourselves and interact with each other. Creative and talented people surround us. Open your eyes and take a look around you, it’s everywhere. I am constantly in awe of such talent.
What happens when talents join together and work collaboratively?
I had the opportunity of working with two talented photographers on similar but separate projects. Each photographer produced a black & white A4 photobook with a subject of their choice.
Photographer Hka Lumyang gives us insight into the life of Mung Hkawng Naw Lahkyen, a caring Kachin community leader who brings unity to different tribes and religions of the Kachin people living in Melbourne.
Photographer Ethan Brivik shows us through Bec Amelung that cheerleading is more than just a sport. She is a hardworking psychology student at Deakin, who takes advantage of every opportunity that crosses her path.
I had the job of editing their photobooks.
I met with each photographer a few times. Each of them is very different in photography style and personality. I found the closer I got to their work, getting to know their subjects Bec and Lahkyen, the better I got to know Ethan and Hka behind the lens. I was able to adjust my communication and writing style to suit each photographer and their book.
Ethan — tall, blonde and confident — needed me to prove myself as a writer and editor. He had most of the words, needing a little help with grammar and some tweaking here and there. Only occasionally agreeing with my suggestions but appreciated my knowledge on cheerleading.
Hka — short, shy and smiley — English being his second language, needed more help with the writing and took on board all of my suggestions. In fact, we worked together deciding layout and captions, and added Kachin words throughout the book.
Ethan was the better communicator, Hka better with meeting deadlines.
I spent hours with Bec and Lahkyen, at my kitchen table, staring at the photographs, reading aloud words, rewriting suggestions to ensure the words matched the photos and the theme of each photo book. Sometimes late into the night or early in the morning, whatever my kids and husband would allow me.
I’ve never met Bec or Lahkyen, but I feel like I know them. I know them from the photographs, I know them by the words, I know them by the questions I got to ask the photographers.
These are not my photobooks but I can’t help but feel a sense of ownership over them. It is such an intimate project to be involved with. Each book has something that I uniquely contributed beyond my words and editing style. There is something real and personal about the editing process itself. Working closely with the artist but spending more time with the subject.
When the job is finished, it has gone to the printer and there is nothing left to edit, it almost feels like the end of a relationship. A relationship that I can revisit when I open the bound hardcopy sitting on my bookshelf.
Did I fall in love with the subject, the talent, or the editing process? Maybe all three and I’m okay with that.
All photographs used with permission from Hka Lumyang and Ethan Brivik. Thanks guys — I enjoyed the ride.
