STEPHEN WILKES

Yesterday I had the phenomenal experience of hearing photographer Stephen Wilkes speak about his Ellis Island photographs, which are currently on display at Michener Museum in Doylestown, PA. I visited the exhibition in July and was totally mesmerized by the images. I was frustrated that there was no technological information offered for each photograph. I suppose it could have been done on purpose to allow these powerful images of Ellis Island to impact the viewer.

Portrait of Stephen Wilkes by Greg Gorman

This corridor photograph graces the cover of Wilkes' book titled ELLIS ISLAND -- GHOSTS OF FREEDOM. He told us that this image is one of his favorites because of the contrasts and textures that offer a metaphor for life in a place of decay. Notice the green vines growing on the left, and the decay on the right. He also spent much time talking about light and how fleeting it is to a photographer. Light only exists for several minutes; it is never constant -- always affected by geographical and physical conditions.

When I viewed the exhibit at Michener in July, I just assumed that the photographs were digital and wondered how they could be enlarged and retain the depth of field and sharp detail and focus. I learned that he took these photographs using an 8 X 10 (large format) camera which uses film (ala Ansel Adams). He took only three photographs in each room with some exposures being as long as 15 minutes! His first negatives came out completely black, so he had to go back and do it all over again. "It happens to all of us," he said.

Below is the photograph Wilkes has titled "Blue Room."

Wilkes also shared experiences he had of feeling a presence in the room while he was working, actually seeing a child (dated 1920's by clothing). In another instance he felt such a strong presence of negativity that he left the room without taking one photograph; he did return later and was able to photograph successfully. Another time he felt as if he were being watched from the doorway and said something to the person who was with him that day. The other person reported having the same, exact feeling.

This project ran from 1998 to 2003 with the goal of raising funds to help preserve and stabilize the historic buildings on Ellis Island. His emphasis was on the hospital and wards. Ironically, Wilkes said, it was the act of stabilization that made it more and more difficult to move about the buildings and find the quality of light for his images.

Wilkes also shared that this five year project was life changing for him. His mother was a concentration camp survivor, and there was a similar energy at Ellis Island that spoke profoundly to him. He definitely felt a connection between the two.