Ask the Author: Marisa Scheinfeld
Answered Questions (3)
Marisa Scheinfeld
The same advice as what I got, which was "shoot what you know." My advice to writers is to "write what you know," and start at the source of who you are, your story, history, and in many ways, advice from Julie Andrews in one of my favorite movies, The Sound of Music... "start at the very beginning, a very good place to start."
Marisa Scheinfeld
Something new that lends itself to a thematic occurrence in my work: looking at history, and histories and what has been left behind with and by time.
Marisa Scheinfeld
I began this project in graduate school – during a time when I was quite confused about my path as a photographer– and what kind of work I wanted to make. I received some poignant advice – and that was to shoot what I know. I knew my hometown region had a vibrant past, and that it had truly slipped away. Driving through the landscape of the former Borscht Belt today, its unavoidable to see a ruin, or remnant of what was once a grand vacation industry. I was aware that the Borscht Belt had been widely documented in memoirs, narrative histories, and archival photographic
anthologies. I did not know of however, a visual record of the truth of its built and natural environment in the early 21st century. With this incentive, I began to make seasonal trips back to NY (I was at the time living in San Diego, CA) and started out by just driving. I drove to hotels and colonies I had never been to before, and others that I recalled visiting as a child. In conjunction with a bit of exploration, I did a lot of reading and research...and then photographing.
anthologies. I did not know of however, a visual record of the truth of its built and natural environment in the early 21st century. With this incentive, I began to make seasonal trips back to NY (I was at the time living in San Diego, CA) and started out by just driving. I drove to hotels and colonies I had never been to before, and others that I recalled visiting as a child. In conjunction with a bit of exploration, I did a lot of reading and research...and then photographing.
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