MSA March/April 2019: "Genius Loci"

From Wikipedia: In contemporary usage, genius loci usually refers to a location's distinctive atmosphere, or a "spirit of place", rather than necessarily a guardian spirit. An example of contemporary usage might be along the lines of "Light reveals the genius loci of a place."

And: "In modern works of fantasy, a genius loci is an intelligent spirit or magical power that resides in a place. Very few genius loci of this form are able to move from their native area, either because they are "part of the land" or because they are bound to it. Some versions are nearly omnipotent and omniscient inside the area they inhabit, while others are simply vast, semi-sentient wellsprings of magical energy.

Different settings give different explanations for the existence of genius loci. In most cases, however, the intelligent, magical entity simply develops from the similarly named "spirit of place" over a great deal of time. In other settings, genius loci are formed by powerful magical events, and in others they are the results of ley lines, mana pools, or an equivalent."

I think this theme allows for much interpretation and creativity, and I don't doubt that many photographers are compelled to choose their subjects because they are strongly influenced by a perceived "spirit of place". I look forward to seeing how the community interprets this assignment!

Link to guidelines for the MSA: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...gnment-msa-guidelines-revised-2015-07.126124/

Thanks,
Paul

This would be something I would do for this theme: (see attached)

Oh my what a theme! Been wanting to return to photograph an American Indian site, that we finally discovered its location of, late last year. But its in a draw, that needs the late afternoon sun, to photograph it. . Believed to have been a ceremonial site, with petroglyphs on the walls, and several metate ground into the rock, at its location, for the grinding of ? for the formal event that was to take place.
Thank you, you have motivated me, to see if we can capture its essence that still remains there, and is very strong. Its going to be difficult. Never tried anything like this before!
Adventure!

Fascinating theme Paul.
Just a reminder - entries should not originate from the past - March 1, 2019 on please.
I'll do my bit with "Sticky" thread designations.
I'll also update the list of historical MSA themes.
And an (ineligible) example from me:

Now I have to develop a roll I used over the weekend sooner than I'd planned... might have one that fits the theme before I even knew what it was

Paul, an interesting theme "Genis Loci", very inspiring! I like to participate again

Great theme Paul! I hope to be able to contribute to this round with the right kind of photograph (I know I always say that, but it's true). I'm currently travelling for a month, and since I'm out and about with my camera all day, I should be able to find some inspiration.

Why do I:

1. say what I'm going to do on photrio?
2. write "might have moved" in my exposure notebook but not take a second shot when it's a great photo? I keep doing that! It's some kind of stupid idea of not wasting film and I do it when I'm in situations that aren't going to happen again!

It was a very atmospheric composition... a beam of pure sunlight running across a pool at the bend in the creek winding through deep dark primeval redwoods. I knew it was awesome and I knew I was way below my "handheld" ability, balanced on the edge of a steep bank. The tripod I had in the back of my jeep was a joke, but I could have tried again braced against a tree. Would have been challenging but possible to print well, but a quick straight print shows that it's not worth it.

Why do I: 1. say what I'm going to do on photrio?
Comradery with those who are evolved with the same challenge, and we personally thank you for sharing. . Of late, there has been very little interchange.
Why do I: 2. .. not take a second shot when it's a great photo? I keep doing that!
Da.. Sigh ... when you get the answer to that, will you please pass it on to me!
It was a very atmospheric composition... a beam of pure sunlight running across a pool at the bend in the creek winding through deep dark primeval redwoods.
Yep... been there and done that to many times... so we feel allot of comradery with ya. So don't feel so bad, your not alone. The dang thing that happens, is in the past, we have become fixed in trying to get the same scene, and give it a try, to help clean the slate for new beginnings.
But guess what, every time, your in that same location, no mater what angel you approach it at, that shot will be hanging there as you gaze at the location. Developed within!
No tripod, and suddenly needed! Been there done that to many times also! Didn't get the exact angle or elevation we wanted, but we were able to try with our creativity, by putting in our pack, or in our jacket pocket, an old sock partially filled with dried yellow corn. Works great for 35mm, but never have tried it for large format.
Yep, Like the challenge of this assignment! Ha, .. Might just overrun the site with numerous submissions! Not just wait for the last week in April.
Got a crazy one percolating now, so beat me to the punch. Looking forward to seeing what ya come up with next!
Hehawwww...

Thanks - I appreciate it!

I got excited when I saw this MSA topic and developed the roll from last weekend early. Then I got frustrated when I saw how beautiful the print could have been if the camera hadn't moved... but you're right, it's all good and the scene is "developed within!" -- completely burned in actually, I'll never forget what that scene looked like and how it made me feel. I've already got another one planned for this MSA and looking forward to trying it.

Magical power and spirit in friendship ..



3x4 Speed ~ 800 Fugi Instax Wide ~ f22/32 @ 125

Interesting theme!

I have just started shooting these pictures inspired by silent horror movie and Finnish folklore. This is the first one which I just developed earlier today.

I plan to print them also when I get my darkroom ready.


Zeiss Ikon Ideal 225 & Agfa replica 23 -plate.

2x3 Baby Speed Arista 400@800 F16/22 @125 @ Talquepaque

Two locals having a beer and quiet yarn in an old country pub. Tried to get the spirit of place, bit hard with out getting spotted.
Molley 6x6 TLR, f4, Delta 3200 in d76, Poor old Molleys eye sight an't very good, so frame and focus took a bit of guess work and is slightly out.

Billinudgel

Old English country garden near my home. The grave and spirit of the baron are still here. Fuji 646Zi - Kodak 400TMY-2 - Kodak HC 110 Dill B 7 min - Ilford warmtone MG FB

Tree stump next to the castle. First there was nothing, then a tree, later nothing again, only the memory. Fuji 646Zi - Kodak 400TMY-2 - Kodak HC 110 Dill B 7 min - Ilford warmtone MG FB in Ilford MG.

I can remember this place for a very long time - I loved to play there with my friends when I was a boy.
Magical days - carefree and easy!
About 15 years ago all those trees were felled because of a road building project to bypass the town.
--
The bypass was not build until today but the birches are back as well as the spirit of this place …


Rolleiflex 3.5F - Planar - Neopan 400CN

This is the place I wanted to make a pinhole photograph for this MSA. I was planning to make an 8x11" paper negative with a very long exposure, but I didn't get to it. Instead, I went there yesterday with a couple of coffee can cameras that don't need as long an exposure and made this for WPPD. It's my WPPD entry too.

I follow the MSA with interest, the various photos that interpret the themes are wonderful. This theme has already attracted great images!

Here is my contribution to the theme Genus Loci.



This is the bridge St. Laurent in my city, a suspension bridge that was recently renovated to give it many more years of life.
It is an essential bridge in the history and life of my city.
I used one of my 35mm pinhole film cannister cameras for this, and it was a stroke of luck that it turned out as it has.

For me, this image by Ned is the most evocative and speaks to the MSA subject very nicely. Congratulations, Ned! It was a tough choice for me, because macfred's Birches photo is also quite exquisite and its beautiful rendering of tone calls to me also.

NedL said:

This is the place I wanted to make a pinhole photograph for this MSA. I was planning to make an 8x11" paper negative with a very long exposure, but I didn't get to it. Instead, I went there yesterday with a couple of coffee can cameras that don't need as long an exposure and made this for WPPD. It's my WPPD entry too.


View attachment 222543

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paulbarden said:

For me, this image by Ned is the most evocative and speaks to the MSA subject very nicely. Congratulations, Ned! ...

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Good choice, Paul - Ned is a worthy winner. I really love his entry! Congrats!!

Wow, I wasn't expecting that! Thanks Paul. I will choose a new topic very soon.

Congratulations Ned, great picture and congratulations to Paul as well for running an interesting themed comp.

I totally agree with awty's post above!
And I'm keen to see what theme Ned chooses.

Thanks Paul and everyone.
The next MSA can be found here.

Matt will probably do his semi-super-powered thing and make it a sticky

Congratulations Ned! Thanks for this MSA topic Paul!