Family Tree by Glen Erler (November 27, 2009) 
(18 votes, average: 3.89 out of 5)
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Categories / Human Interest / / Click here to open comments section, click again when done to close / 14 Comments
Stuck at my Desk
I, like most magazine editors or publishers I’d imagine, spend most of my time stuck behind a desk reading emails, considering or editing texts, opening or sealing letters, looking through books and reviewing portfolio submissions from photographers and artists. Most of what I review, sadly, is not up to much – either being technically or conceptually underdeveloped – but occasionally I get to see new work, which is accomplished on all levels and this is what keeps me here at my desk and happy. This week I am pleased to present some projects - by photographers based in the UK - that have recently made me excited about being involved in photography.
Note: When I say that work is technically accomplished, it is not about the practitioners' ability to use a camera – I am not a techno or stylistic bully – but is about the use of the camera in a way that suits the subject matter being explored. This may be the worn and torn remnants of a personal archive or the beautifully lit and photographed result of a studio project.
Next / An Acceptance Of How Things Are / Previous / Travelling From Vienna To Beirut /
Our poll "A photo essay always needs a great written story" closed. 267 people voted, 28% agrees, 72% disagrees. 233 people answered our follow-up question "Are you a photographer?" 82% indicated they are, 18% said no. Initially, negative answers to question #1 were almost 100% as was the pecentage of photographers among respondants. Then, when the level of non-photographers started to rise, the percentage of people indicating good text is always essential started to rise too. This seems to indicate that non-photographers think that adding good text to your photo essays is essential. In my opinion: if you want non-photographers to dig your work, you know what to do...
Family Tree is a project about the loss and rebirth of my family. I moved from Southern California to England fourteen years ago and while visiting family members back home, I started photographing the people and places that were important in the shaping of who I am today.
While I’ve been living in England, many of my relatives on both my fathers and mothers sides have passed away. This made me realize the impact death has on the lives of those remaining.
These images are associated with that loss and often document the emotional impact this reality we all face as our ultimate calling.
This project also explores the addition of a new generation into our family. My nieces are now wives and mothers and their children will experience a very similar life to what I experienced.
I tried to find beauty in the everyday life I took for granted while retracing footsteps of places where my memories lay and a new generation of actions will take place.
Glen Erler (1962) lives and works in London, UK.
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Posted in category 652
I really love the first one, with the woman in front of the tree holding the photo.
Way to go this time!
i love seeing glen’s work. it is very profound and peaceful at the same time. there is a tangible narrative in the work but you, the viewer, don’t know the story. you know there is a story and it began and will end and somewhere in the middle, he caught some of that story with his eye and his camera.
The concept of the images moved , I also have lived away from my family for more than 15 years and I also have not been as close to the death and births of my family back as I would have liked.
A part of me wished the images were moving images as each shot has a story to be told.
Well done mate. Frank Della Grazia
When I look at this slide show I really feel the lonliness one feels at the loss of loved ones.
Great work, feelings of disappearance in the present time as well
Very nice approach of the subject and great colors ! Love it
Application to other stories related to the past would be successful
Thank you Glen
Veronique
Beautiful, sad, lonely, these images resonate – a feeling of dissociation within the very familiarity of one’s family is something we have all felt, but here is so lovingly and beautifully captured. On reading the captions, another layer comes into play that makes the story even more poignant- a kind of universal childhood memory – love, death, tragedy, all played in the small details that anchor themselves in our soul, and then the replay of it all in the new generation, linking the past to the future in the same location. There is a feeling that it will all be replayed again and again through the generations, a feeling both comforting and disquieting. Beautiful work.
Family. This picture made me miss my Mother, even though she only lives 2 hours away. Indeed, we take for granted those wonderful annoying family members that are a part of us. My Father died this year, yet somehow I feel he is still present, like the shadow of the figure on the fence. Glen is a thought-provoking artist.
Chuck R.
I’ve been took by hand somewhere, silently.. Good!
That is great Glenn, I know some of the pictures and I understand what is said. Thank you for letting me see this.
This project is a great documentation of ones life with fine art twist.
Thank you Glen for showing us the importance of our families. Your series moved me to hell and back. You caught the universal feeling of love as well as irritation we all share with our family members.
Great series of photos. Love, loneliness, loss…these photos were able to evoke so many feelings and memories.
Very moving series of images and story. Makes me want to see more.
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