For a weekend where I didn’t pick up a camera, I did a surprising amount of photography-related things. Here’s a not-so-short list:
- Printed a whole bunch of prints for a portfolio review at ICP.
- Attended said portfolio review. The verdict: pretty good. I may write more about this later.
- Attended a travel photography lecture, also at ICP.
- Wandered in on a Gregory Crewdson show in Chelsea. The work was gorgeous. Not exactly my taste, but the man is an overachiever and I appreciate his photographs on an aesthetic and technical level if not overwhelmingly on a personal level.
- Crewdson was also signing copies of his new book, so I bought one and had it signed.
- Finally saw the Jem Southam show at the Robert Mann Gallery. Also stunning.
- Bought some lighting equipment to work on a possible series of still life photographs. Still contemplating this one, but I’ve wanted the lights for a while anyway.
- In spite of my earlier statement about not being ready and/or interested, I prepared and submitted applications to two contests and one publication. I don’t have any expectations on hearing back, but it doesn’t hurt to try, I guess. This is another one of those areas I will probably explore in another post, as I am still ambivalent about whether it’s something I’m ready to pursue.
- Bought the latest issue of Blind Spot, based almost entirely on the beautiful Hannah Whitaker photograph on the cover. Finally caved in and subscribed.
- Read quite a few blog entries from some of my favorite photo bloggers.
- Looked at some work online, including on Flickr.
- Picked up Robert Adams’ “Beauty in Photography” again, after hearing Jeff Curtow mention it in the Camera Position podcast.
- Listened to several episodes of Camera Position.
- Saw Les Liaisons Dangereuses on Broadway. Not a photographic venture, per se, but it was visually stunning and I honestly couldn’t keep my mind on the show because so many ideas were pouring into my head.
I think there’s more, but it’s getting late. Funny how much of the work of being a photographer is done without taking any pictures.
Blind Spot Magazine number 37, cover photograph by Hannah Whitaker
I have felt the same way a lot recently. I haven’t been taking as many photographs as I was this time last year, but the conceptual things I have learned are making me a better artist even though I have not touched my camera.
I love your work, by the way. It has a completely different vibe than a lot of the other photography you see around. Keep it up.
Hey Paul,
Thanks for stopping by and visiting my site. And thanks for the compliment. The more I think about it, the more it seems natural that there will be times when I’m thinking about photography more than actually doing it. When I first started taking pictures, I would shoot anything that I could find. Nowadays, I find myself being a lot more selective about what I shoot and why I shoot it. Hopefully that leads to an overall higher quality of work and also creates something that makes sense as a cohesive whole rather than just a series of single images.