Much of photography is grounded in the capturing of a moment. By extending this moment, the stakes are raised and the image takes on new meaning. Long form photographs are composed as traditional photographs, but the subject is recorded for an extended time (anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour) at normal speed, and played on a continuous loop. The result is a photograph that lives, maintaining a carefully chosen composition over time.
While long form photographs rely upon and reference modern technology, the recording process demands the type of consideration, preparation, and time commitment that hasn’t been required since daguerreotype exposures, in opposition to the frequently editorial based process of modern digital photography. Simultaneously recalling surveillance footage, landscape photography, and consumer screen savers, long form photographs contain a sense of tension as they both command and reject long term attention, highlighting the anticipation of any change in the scene.
Each piece is numbered in limited edition, and displayed on a used monitor integrated into a custom frame made from recycled wood.
About Benjamin Jarvis
Benjamin Jarvis has a BFA in Painting from the University of Washington, and currently resides in Seattle. He has produced work as a painter, photographer and filmmaker at various times throughout his career. His work addresses issues of space, identity, attention span and the boundaries between the natural and the urban space.
