A photo essay
Assignment: Photography course project
Category: DSLR film photography, darkroom prints
Timeframe: 2017
For the love of tea
The ask
To gain a richer understanding of image control and camera function, we were assigned a black and white photo essay. We were to use only film and darkroom techniques to produce the images. As such, lighting, depth of field, contrast and exposure became key challenges, in addition to composition and storytelling. I chose tea as my topic, as it is close to my heart.
The deliverables
- Photo essay
”If you are cold, tea will warm you; if you are too heated, it will cool you; if you are depressed, it will cheer you; if you are excited it will calm you.
William Ewart Gladstone
Since it was first cultivated over 5000 years ago in China as a medicinal drink, tea has become one of the most popular beverages in the world. Tea spans cultures and generations, perhaps because it can be as individual as the drinker. In many places around the world, the tea serving ritual is as important as the drink itself, with everything from the preparation to the additions (like salt and butter in Tibet) to the shape and design of pots and drinking vessels being highly symbolic and unique to a region.
Perhaps surprisingly, Turkey has the highest per person tea consumption in the world, with an average of close to 7 lbs per year. China and Canada fall much lower on the list with 1.25 lbs and 1.12 lbs respectively.
Whether you’ve made it a habit to start your day with a cup of tea, wind down with a cup at bedtime, or make special dates to meet friends over a brew, you’re in good and broad company. The ritual of tea can be small simple or deeply symbolic, but it’s one that we share across cultures and borders and across time.
Image No. 1
Heaven scent
Stand in the tea aisle of any grocery store today, and you’ll be overwhelmed with the choices. This is because tea has grown to mean any kind of beverage (hot or cold!) that is made from steeping dried or fresh leaves, fruit, herbs and even flowers in water. My preference is anything but the ordinary “black” tea, and especially in loose-leaf form. You can open the tin and breathe in the amazing scent to get a preview of what the cup of tea will be like.
Image No. 2
Having a ball
Unless you plan on having your future told by reading tea leaves in the bottom of your cup, loose leaf tea needs to be contained or strained somehow. One of the more common approaches is to use a tea ball that can be filled with the dried tea leaves and suspended in the teapot or teacup. This stainless steel tea ball or tea “infuser” is a thing of beauty in and of itself.
Image No. 3
Creativi-tea
Many people like to sweeten their tea with sugar, agave or honey. Whatever your preference, the sweet, hot drink has a restorative effect. Add to that the slow, mesmerizing action of a honey dripper and your tea preparation becomes a slowing-down exercise. You just can’t rush honey.
Image No. 4
Tas-tea bites
Tea loves company. Add a little sweet treat or two to your tea for a real indulgence. From biscotti to macaroons to cream-filled rolled wafers, the choices abound. These little bites are as fun to look at as they are to eat! Somehow, having your sweet pastry with a cup of tea takes it from sugary to civilized.
Image No. 5
Just my cup of tea
Choose the cup that feels right in your hands, prepare the tea your own special way and add a little treat on the side. A bit of honey and some lemon add a wonderful flavour to black tea, with biscotti on the side to make it even more of a treat.
Image No. 6
Let’s get the par-tea started!
Tea has also become a social event, with “tea time” falling some time in the late afternoon. We love excuses to take a break and relax, and to catch up with friends, family or coworkers. Coming together to prepare teas, each to suit themselves, is part of the social gathering. Then, step away from the stress and deadlines for just a few minutes to recharge, reconnect and refocus.
