about the project

This rephotography project has been tumbling around the landscape of photographer Bill Pielsticker's mind for about thirteen years. In the winter of 2009 he asked photographer/writer Tracy Madison to join him. She wrote the first of what would become several grant applications and the work began in earnest.

Rephotography approaches range from casual–approximating the vantage point of the original photo to communicate the general idea of change over time, to literal–using the same equipment, film, processing and precise recreation of vantage point from which the original image was shot. Pielsticker and Madison chose to work on the literal side of rephotography methodology spectrum, shooting from the same vantage point as Bennett did whenever possible.

The two designed the Bennett rephotography project in three phases. Phase I began in the spring of 2009. It includes 15 landscapes Bennett shot in Columbia and Sauk counties with exhibits and forums planned for 2010-11.  Phase II expands the project Bennett’s work in Chicago, Milwaukee and the upper Mississippi River Valley. Phase III is a book with Bennett’s original photos and the rephotographed scenes.

HHFastForward is intended to accomplish several things. The photographic pairs will reveal changes in the landscape over time. Forums desiged around the photographic exhibits will examine what impacts the changes have had on communities within the landscapes and how those impacts may affect the dynamic of those communities.

The funding for the project was seeded by the Sauk County's Arts and Culture Commission with the Sauk County Historical Society serving as the fiscal flow through non-profit. Other support has been provided by the Stewards of the Dells of the Wisconsin River and the Baraboo Range Preservation Association.