Emma Holland- Library Book

John Pfahl's Windows
July 12, 2018
         This book was one of two that caught my eye in the library. Each photograph shows a window, somewhere in America, of a scene that properly illustrates that place. It was interesting to learn about the photographer, John Pfahl, behind the pictures. It made the images more intriguing and gripping in a way.
          Pfahl was born in New York City in 1939, but he was raised in New Jersey. He studied at the School of Art and the School of Communications at Syracuse University. For the majority of his life, he has lived in Buffalo, New York. He always wants his photographs to expose the truth and create mystery. He describes them as encouraging thoughts, instead of placing thoughts into minds.
          This particular book titled Windows was published in 1987. In a statement about the book, Pfahl compared looking through each of his window discoveries to looking through a camera, trying to identify a scene. I completely agree with this comparison, and I believe he achieved it, especially with every window isolated by a pitch black wall around it due to efficient lighting. I think the purpose of posing the windows as looking through a camera plays with the fact that Pfahl wants his audience to think further into the window. He wants you to think about why one would take this picture, and why the window holds such significant stories or sights. Pfahl also mentioned in this author's statement that he did not just stumble across these windows and perfect scenarios just outside. He sought them out and was not shy in asking other individuals in homes, hotels, etc. if he could set up his photography gear inside.
          The photograph I selected is from inside what looks like a diner in Mount Vernon, Washington. It stood out to me, even though I have never been to the location, because of how the parking lot is framed, the coloring of the light and objects, and the mood defining Washington. I admire how I can assume it is in a diner because of the numerous parked cars and the lightbulbs framing the rectangular window.
          John Pfahl's Windows offers a message of looking deeper into scenes that are laid out in front of you and seeing the beauty in the world. He captures the art of defining places around the country though color, space, and emotion.