Six months ago Portfolio Center switched to a fully digital photography program, leaving its darkroom a quiet haven for the few diehard traditionalists still wanting to sniff the chemicals of old. As students, this is what we are taught to embrace: moving forward, learning the latest technologies, challenging tradition. We often forget the ease with which we can correct and edit any project by simple click of the mouse. How difficult now to imagine hours spent in a darkroom hand toning one (yes, one) photograph, let alone wheeling an 8x10 camera on set. Yet were it not for such traditions and the craft and discipline they require, we would never appreciate all we are able to accomplish through digital means. Parish Kohanim is a photographer who understands exactly this.
Parish recently spoke and shared his work with students at PC, stressing the importance of maintaining integrity in a time of trendsetting. Technology moves fast, but the heart is a different matter. Developing a clear sense of drive and purpose in one’s work—a “signature” as Parish puts it—ultimately allows passion to ensue. Combine this signature with commitment and discipline, and your work has no choice but to soar. Standing true to this principle, Parish describes his approach to photography as “relentless.” Grounded in a film-based tradition, he chooses to let his work evolve in camera rather than on a computer. He learned his discipline using large format cameras and through hours of darkroom processing. Such techniques force us to slow down, allowing time to become intimate with an individual photograph—an opportunity often glossed over in the speed of our digital world. And while the computer reigns as an amazing and important tool of our trade, there is something to be said for the “old school” ways of capturing light on film and processing a negative by hand. Simply put, it demands patience and dedication to craft.
Parish has established himself as a master of his trade by maintaining a classic approach combined with an openness to new technology. He shoots almost exclusively digitally these days, always using Canons, unless a self-assignment leads him to a different format for artistic effect. Whatever the format, his photographs speak volumes through simplicity. Grounded in the basic elements of light, shadow, color, and a highly attuned sense of form, a continuum of quiet grace runs through his work. This is spirited by his belief that success in a photograph comes from relating to your subject, having fun, and allowing the image to emerge on its own. Depth and meaning can be created through light and shadow, as long as you pay attention to them. And indeed Parish is always attentive to moments of opportunity. Refusing to limit his imagination, Parish has trained his eye to look beyond the immediate task at hand.
As a result, much of his personal work evolves after a shoot. Very often Parish saves portions of his sets, only to later reuse them in new and unexpected ways. A vase’s shadow proves the perfect backdrop for a flower stem; when 6 truckloads of river rocks are left behind in his studio, they beg for further study of the human form. He combines landscapes photographed on his travels with models shot in studio to add deeper dimension to his imagery. He is fascinated with both the everyday and the surreal, finding inspiration in the works of Impressionist painters, the elegance of flowers, the human body as a living sculpture, and through his world travels (most recently to photograph sculptors living in Carrara, Italy).
Above all, Parish Kohanim’s work maintains a strong sense of tradition mixed with innovation. For over 25 years he has remained a vigilant and dedicated photographer, not letting go of his passion—even when a visit to Richard Avedon’s studio many years ago resulted in his being advised to “stick with television.” Thank goodness for voices of reason.
Portfolio Center students share a strong desire to communicate ideas, the willingness to let go of preconceived notions, and the compulsion to learn new ways of thinking. These qualities are fostered by the school’s constant stream of industry bigwigs, who bring their varied and colorful perspectives from all over the country. These creatives, who are always generous with their time and energy, tend to hang out with students, conducting informal workshops and continuing the day’s discussions over dinner. Often, what results are provocative interviews—written, shot, and designed by PC students.
