Northern Comfort
Amy Friend
Amy friend is an artist from Canada who studied at OCADU (Toronto) before deciding to travel through Europe, Morocco, Cuba, and the United States. She then returned to Canada to achieve a BFA Honours degree and BEd degree from York University, Toronto.
In 2013 and 2014 Friend was selected as one of the top 50 photographs in the juried Critical Mass International Photography Competition.
Amy's most famous work is a set of photographs that feature what looks like families from the 1920s-40s. Due to the aged paper these photographs look very vintage and worn out, Amy uses this to her advantage and puts a modern twist on these old photographs that some people would see as trash. She adds an atmospheric and modern element by pinholing the photographs and shining lights through. This looks very moving and creatively adds a new-age twist to them which is an unseen twist in modern, physically manipulated photography.
I would like to experiment with this pinhole technique to enhance the already contrasting light in my photographs. This could allow me to emphasise the idea that light, artificial and natural acts as a safe base where we go for comfort, in home, cities and the streets. By pinholing my photographs I could create a sense of entrapment around the model, in a positive way as if the lights acted as a physical atmosphere. This will ensure I get my ideas across to the viewer by allowing me to portray that sense of homliness and comfort in my photographs through physical manipulation.
 This style of pinning creates a sense of entrapment on the person. It is as if the light is surrounding each subject and protecting them in a bubble of light and comfort. I like this style of surrounding the models in pinholes as when the light seeps through the holes and illuminates them it makes me think of warmth and being safe. This style could connect well with my ideas and I intend to carry on this style in my artwork as it features a softer and less frightening style. |  This photograph pinhole style emphasises religion in my opinion. The lights embellish the area behind her head and sprout off of it like the halo's we see in traditional religious paintings. This shows that lighting can effect the atmosphere of a photo as for this one, adding to the vintage and aged photograph it creates a traditional feel with a mysterious twist, it focuses on faith and religion. |  Lighting greatly effects the mood of a photograph and creates a sincere and pure image. White is often associated with heaven and being pure, using white lights symbolises this belief and could again be connected to religion. This inspired me to experiment with the colour of lights and how it effects the atmosphere of my photograph. |
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 This type of pin-hole technique adds to the atmosphere of the photograph as illuminating one side of the face enhances the direction from which the light is shining. In this case it looks rather sinister and contrasts largely with the antiquity of the aged photo. However, I like the idea that light is coming in to your home and surrounding you in safety rather than this darker interpretation of this style, I may carry on this technique and find a way to imply light is comforting you. |  The vignette of this photograph also adds to the contrast and the atmosphere of this photograph as it strongly differs from the glowing light shining through the photograph. It makes a dark and frightening photograph much brighter and less creepy. I can use this in my darker edited photographs to insinuate my point that your home and where you feel safe is like that because of the way light changes the atmosphere. |  Even on brighter photographs like this one it makes the atmosphere a lot more open and unreal, it exaggerates the light that shines on to the models and gives an almost fairy-tale like effect, creating a romantic and comforting feeling that can only be provided by the twinkling pinholes. |