Collaboration, Consent and Time in Shea Kirk's Portraits
Shea Kirk, Christiane D’Arc (left and right view), 2018
Shea Kirk's portraiture unearths the ethics in this art medium, which many before have dismissed. Kirk refers to his portraiture as a collaboration between the photographer and sitter and states that it is important to minimise a “hierarchy” where the photographer is the dominant force in which the sitter must be submissive (Kirk, 2020).
Being a photographer based in his own home studio, Kirk is not restricted by time limits to capture a portrait. As a matter of fact, his preferred shooting time can last up to eight hours. Historically speaking the first photograph taken by Niepce View from a window at Gras (1826), required an “exposure time of eight hours” (Marien, 2006, p.10). Many modern photographers like Teju Cole thought that these “exposure times were too long” (Cole, 2018). In contrast, Kirk prefers his eight-hour method. Why? He claims that he would rather be “in the moment” to shoot and not have to worry about the “restrictions” associated with time (Kirk, 2021).
Shea Kirk, Dale Robertson (left and right view), 2019
Additionally, Kirk emphasises consent, especially when photographing sitters nude such as the photographs Dale Robertson and Christiane D'Arc exposing the sitters quite vulnerably. Hence revealing the importance of constantly ensuring sitters are okay with being exhibited like that.
“What are you comfortable with? Don’t dictate things, check in regularly with comments on the day” (Kirk, 2021).
Furthermore, the slowing down of time can unveil many benefits during the process which may at first seem tedious. This includes giving the sitter enough time to feel comfortable during the shoot, more photos to be taken, and collaborators come out with an intimate connection built between the photographer and sitter post. The overall experience of collaboration, consent and time can strengthen the chemistry between collaborators, resulting in better outcomes as presented through Kirk’s photography.
References:
Cole, T. (2018, August 23). There’s Less to Portraits Than Meets the Eye, and More. The New York Times Magazine. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/23/magazine/theres-less-to-portraits-than-meets-the-eye-and-more.html
Kirk, S. (2018). Christiane D’Arc (left and right view). [Photograph]. From the series Vantages. https://ccp.org.au/exhibitions/all/vantages
Kirk, S. (2019). Dale Robertson (left and right view). [Photograph]. From the series Vantages. https://ccp.org.au/exhibitions/all/vantages
Kirk, S. (2021). Shea Kirk Lecture [80067 Photography Guest Lecture Program]. UTS Canvas. https://canvas.uts.edu.au/
Marien, M. W. (2006). Photography: A Cultural History. Laurence King Publishing.