There’s a regatta in Stockton on July 19, 1959. Joel loves boats and he is present.
This particular sleeve also has “Woman in boat” written across. Five 4×5″ negatives in total.
I also came across 3 images Joel cropped and printed from these negatives. This gives us some insight on how Joel sees into his subjects as cropping is an integral part of the creative post-process.
I can’t be sure of the correct progression of this photoshoot. It’s just a good start to make us want to know more of what’s going on.
The man is out of the way, and the focus is on the woman in the boat.
The whole series does have a bit of a voyeuristic feel to it, but shooting with a 4×5 view camera is an elaborate process and the photographer and equipment is standing out. You cannot not know you’re being photographed.
Joel may have done some directing here. The crop in camera as-is looks great to me. This is an image that leaves us with more questions about the story that plays.
It sure appears the man, out of picture but clearly present, came back with food and drink !
The last word will always be for the storytellers.
As for the prints I found that Joel made of some of these negatives, they’re all below. Keep in mind that these images are some 60+ years old. There’s some damage and yellowing is present. But observe how each and every image is cropped to what Joel found the essence of all of it.
It’s clear the last print represents the most aggressive crop of the second negative in this series. Joel definitely made the best with what he had.
Cheers !
Finding Joel Pahl Dardis 