Photographing windows
and another zine.
It`s snowing.
Big, fluffy snowflakes are falling from the sky, blanketing the ground, the evergreen rhododendrons, and the bare beech trees in white in the blink of an eye.
I am standing by the window, watching in awe from the warmth and comfort of my cozy apartment. Just a pane of glass separates me from the cold, winter wonderland outside. It feels a bit like I am dreaming since I have been hoping for snow for the past two months. Looking out of the window into the snow-covered garden feels like looking into a different world - one that didn't exist two hours ago.
Unlike walls, windows allow us to see what we are separated from and let us be passive participants. They can act as a view within a view, a frame or barrier, or as a layered reflection. Windows not only allow us to look outside, but they also invite us to look inward — challenging us to reflect on our own perspectives.
This duality is part of what makes windows a great subject for photography - not just as an architectural element in a photograph, but also as a metaphor to convey deeper meanings.
Throughout the history of photography, windows have served as a powerful source of inspiration. In fact, some of the earliest surviving photographs were made from or of the windows of the homes or studios of the medium’s pioneers: Joseph Nicéphore Niépce and Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre in France, and William Henry Fox Talbot in Britain.
For these early photographers, the choice of photographing windows was likely mainly driven by practical and technical aspects. In the early days of photography, exposing light-sensitive materials required hours of exposure, and the equipment was - compared to the cameras we use today - bulky and fragile. It was much safer and more comfortable to experiment from the comfort of the own home, and using the window, ensured sufficient exposure to create a photograph.
We can’t know for sure today, whether these early photographs of windows were created only for the above mentioned reasons, but it is safe to say that from this moment onward, windows have played a significant role in the history of photography. Photographers have continually explored the subject in myriad ways and the history of photography is filled with stunning examples. It would go beyond the scope of today’s newsletter to share all my favorite examples from the many photographers I admire, so I will save that for another time.
The initial idea to look deeper into this topic came to me after sharing this photo above. It is a photo I made recently in an abandoned school in Florida.
As I looked at this image, I was reminded of the countless times I’ve been drawn to windows as a subject, compelled to photograph them.
There is just something about windows that is so captivating. Whether it’s the light streaming through, the view far and beyond or a voyeuristic glimpse from the outside in, or the more intimate details right in front of you - like in this photograph, where the view is softened and obscured by delicate layers of dust and time, adding a sense of mystery and melancholy.
The more I thought about it, the deeper I delved into the rabbit hole of my own photographic past photographing windows. I found myself remembering the countless moments I was captivated by a window — by the play of light, the view it offered, the emotional connection I felt in that moment.
If you’ve been following my newsletter for a while, you can probably guess where these memories led and how they inspired me. It likely won’t surprise you to hear that today’s topic prompted me to dive into my archive, pick out some of my favourite photographs of windows, and create a zine, will it? ;-)
It took me a moment to figure out the design, size, and layout, but— aside from a few tiny flaws — I’m quite happy with how it turned out.
I hope you like it too!
When I shared my self-made zines in the past, I occasionally received inquiries about purchasing them. In general, I make these zines only for me, with the idea of exploring different concepts and ideas, and enjoying the process creating them. But, because I really like how this one turned out, I decided to offer three handmade copies of this one for purchase. The price is 29€ (plus shipping).
If you’re interested, please send me a message, and I’ll be happy to set up a custom order for you.
That’s all from me this week.
Thank you so much for being here and for taking the time to read this week’s newsletter. It means a lot to me!
X,
Susanne
PS: I always love reading the comments, your feedback, and stories you share with me. It always makes my day. Thank you!
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What draws me to windows, aside from their natural framing, are the natural filters they provide to the photograph: dirty, scratched, cracked, frosted, thick, polarized... so many kinds of filters in this world to press our lenses up against.
Love the video and the the photos in it. I too am in love with dirty windows. There's something magical about them and what they show. Dirt, smudges, and grime are a natural filter. A mystery, a story untold. They also nicely frame the story within the story.