Salpeter Family Portrait, October 2009, Tel Aviv, Israel
I am a photographic artist and photography teacher with crafty tendencies. The head of the Photography MA at Thames Valley University and an EFO member of many years, I have seen my practice change and evolve from fine art conceptual photography produced as part of my PhD studies featured on my website www.etiwade.com, to a period of obsessive crafting with bead crochet and felt, the results of can be seen and purchased on www.etsy.com/shop/underwatercreations and recently back to photographic portraiture with a particular emphasis on the Family as a unique subject.
My current project, ‘Stance’ is a record of East Finchley families due to finish in 2011.
My current focus on the family, links with many years development of my interest in motherhood and the family, already evident in the early experimental phase. To me, a successful family portrait tells the subtle stories of the emotional bonds, the familiarity of the subjects with each other, the power and confidence of the shared sense of belonging to the family unit. The story is told in the body language, how a child leans on a sibling, how a mother hugs her child realistically portrayed as they are at a particular time in their personal history.
I approach the portrait as a painter does, taking time to get to know the members of the family, becoming familiar with the parents and children and gaining the family’s trust and confidence. I work with a traditional large format camera using film rather than digital, which enables me to create paintely results.
With a traditional approach and serious attitude, I make images that stand the test of time. Real, intense and dignified, a family portrait that is a work of art.
Please contact me to see further samples of my work and to discuss possible commissions. I am available for portrait and Jewellery commissions.