Curated Photos | November 7, 2016 | Amy Jasek

My thoughts always turn towards home in November.  For my nostalgic heart, that month signals the beginning of the season for staying in, for cozy dark evenings that hopefully involve wonderful things like red wine, fireplaces, cookies, and hot chocolate.  It is for this reason that I chose the theme of Home for this week's photostream, although I know that "home" does not bring to mind the same things for everyone.  What does it say to you?  Maybe it's a physical structure, a mood, a certain type of light; maybe there are children, pets, beloved rituals between family and friends.  Maybe home is in nature, and has more to do with emotion and the company than any specific location. Or maybe home is not a welcome word; maybe it brings to mind the absence of certain things that others hold dear.  Wherever you wander, whatever it means to you, good or bad, there's no place like it.

Next week Ruby Falls will be curating, and there is no theme!  Submit your masterpieces here (just one, please).

Amy Jasek

Photography is a family tradition. I was raised in the darkroom, and on the fine art work of photographers like Edward Weston, Diane Arbus, and Ansel Adams. My father took me photographing with him regularly and taught me how to look at light. He gave me my first camera (an Olympus RC); I made my first black and white print (standing on a stool!) at the age of 7. There are some gaps in the timeline of my photographic journey, enforced upon it by life in general, but film and cameras are one of the few things that have remained constant every step of the way. For me, photography is all about moments and truth. I like to work in black and white so that I can highlight those two things. The truth, form, and simplicity of the moment is presented; I feel that removing the color from the scene brings these things out. I believe street photography is a little window into the heart and soul of a place, a time, and the people in it. These days I tend more toward street portraits and interaction with my subjects, but my drive for capturing the candid moment remains the same.