Frankly...

My friend had to finish a photography project today, so we went to Franklin High School to take some photographs. Going into a high school is always funny. I went into the bathroom, and there were girls staring at themselves in the mirror, fixing their makeup instead of being in class; there were girls cursing about their moms, and when I came out of the bathroom, I looked at them all. They all looked like babies. Babies saying "fuck her, fuck her, fuck my mom." It is not offensive to me, only strange to see their little pudgy faces saying these things. It is comical, and yet, I have to remind myself that I am only a couple years older than them. But any excuse to laugh, give it to me.

Extra Reading:

E.E. McCollum: McCollum began his photographic career in the 70s, where he learned about traditional practices in film photography. For a long time, he was happy taking photographs that he perceived to be beautiful, but after his friend was diagnosed with a terminal illness, McCollum began looking deeply at his subjects, creating more dynamic work. I love his series of the human cocoons. 

More Wedding Photos

After editing photos from Racheal's wedding, I looked through my hard drive and unearthed some other wedding photos I've taken! Here's what I found:

Rachael's Wedding

I was finally able to organize and edit some of the photographs I took at Rachael's wedding! Being a wedding photographer is a difficult job, but always rewarding, and I have always learned from photographing weddings. Rachael's wedding was intimate and fun, and I know she'll have a long and loving life with her new husband, Scott. 

Extra Reading:

Iain Crawford: Crawford uses props to create images with magnificent texture, color, and shape. Each photograph is layered and multifaceted because of his smart use of props. It takes a talented artist to use props in a successful way, and Crawford definitely does. 

Car As Sanctuary

My car has always been a kind of sanctuary for me. I enjoy the space between being in one place and being in another: a time where roads and trees and skies and people zip by, and all you have to focus on is the road and cars in front of you. Then when you get to the place you need to be, you can still sit in the car if you are afraid to get out, you can lay down and take a nap if you get tired, and you can use it as a little shelter from the rain. You can listen to music while you sit in a driveway and think, and you can just enjoy what is going on outside of the car. I have many memories, good and bad, from being in the car; I have used it for road trips, talking through issues and gossiping, getting to work and friends' houses, and for all the things I mentioned above. It has served me well many times. 

Extra Reading:

Finbarr O'Reilly: O'Reilly is a photojournalist who is based in Senegal in Africa. He started as a writer, but began a photographic career in 2005, and has shot for many magazines and newspapers since. O'Reilly's photographs are expansive and each one reveals a powerful story. I also love the way his website is formatted, which makes it easier to enjoy his photographs.

Making Art And Being An Artist

I have missed taking time to photograph. Lately other things have seeped into my life, and I have become more social, which is a good thing, but I miss taking time to make art.

Being a photographer is a funny thing. Many photographs I have taken that I am the most proud of are from moments that are fuzzy to me: I don't remember what I was doing with the person I was with, and I don't remember what was going on around me. Instead, I remember... taking photographs. Sometimes it is difficult to find a balance between enjoying the moment and making images. Of course, I'll never stop, but being an artist is a challenge. 

Extra Reading:

Ahn Jun: This woman has made some very interesting self-portraits atop tall buildings. The perspective she uses in many of her pieces creates the sensation of falling, vertigo. Down, down.