THEM ABSTRACTIONS

Andre Wagner recently appeared on my radar through the blogger feed. It was a nice change from the work I've been looking through as more and more of my interests have been focused solely on isolated areas, small towns and portraits of the usual. But Andre reminded me of the work I used to process and how I approached the process during my time in the Bay Area.

Andre's photographic style is based through street/documentary photography. He's released two books, Black Boys & The Purist, and is a BFA in both Social Work and Digital Media. I can see why his pictures come out the way it does based on his studies.

When I look at his work I'm reminded of the many classic photographers of the early years. The compositions are slightly offset, the tones are in almost every shade of gray, and the subjects reflect his attitude towards the world he lives today. Perhaps the points I made are just assumptions, but I'm feeling his vibe about life.

Give this guy a chance. Here are some of his links.

PORTFOLIO
TUMBLR
INSTAGRAM

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WHAT KIND OF DAY HAS IT BEEN? A NEWSROOM STORY

Last Sunday I was able to watch the last episode of THE NEWSROOM which features Jeff Daniels (Dumb and Dumberer too) among others. The whole 3 season series covered topics such as the election period between Obama & Romney, Boston bombing, and even a fake story about "Genosha". But the appeal wasn't necessarily the news itself, but the idea of how things shifted over to an artificial network to a network that delivered true journalism.

Finding news that delivers truth is hard to come by considering networks' agenda of what they want to control. Unfortunately I can't listen to anything else, but NPR and other networks that do their best to inform the public what they need to know.

And maybe that's why I'm not part of current journalism today (even though my degree emphasizes Documentary/Photojournalism). I don't inform myself enough to follow what's going on in the world. I should be doing these kinds of things, but I'm just not interested. Shitty huh?

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IT'S BEEN BUILDING UP, BUT I'VE DONE NOTHING

I've been shooting here and there, but I haven't made time to edit anything I've developed recently. There been a couple of new grounds I've been stepping while editing takes a sabbatical. But I've been collecting ideas to add towards the prospects for next year. It's generally a transitional phase I'm going through. Perhaps it's a good time to reflect on what I've done so far.

Looking back at some of the earlier posts I have managed to update the blog regularly, properly launched a portfolio website, curated a couple of exhibitions, be part of a first edition zine in England, and kept a strong discipline to edit work that may or may not have been posted. I've been so focused that the year seemed to fly by. It's been a busy year and a year full of tough decisions.

I really hope that I'm at the right path of everything. I don't know what will happen next year, but for sure I'm having a good time understanding myself and the things around me. I just hope things get better for me and my wife. Until then thank you all for your love and support. It really mean a lot to the few who still lurk my blog.

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DRAWING BOARDS - SINGER SONGWRITERS

JOHN GALM / SKY OF NO STARS

I've been a frequent listener of this album since discovering it through some google searches. I've been a fan of John Galm from his early works in Street Smart Cyclist & Snowing. But it wasn't until I heard some of his at home recorded solo stuff that made him more intriguing to me. His lyrical talent and storytelling ability is seamless especially in this album. John speaks of death, religion, god, friends and family who have passed away and his delivery through each song is perfection. And since listening to this album it has me inspired to look at certain projects personally. Can't wait for the new year already.

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STRAIGHT EDGE RADIO

EDGELAND PODCAST

Bill Conway hosts this show interviewing individuals (mostly from bands) about converting to straight edge and others who have broken edge. It consists of some of the origins people went through converting to the idea, they're experience and how it's effected them present day. Lots of individuals I've known who have converted to straight have stayed and left the pact. This podcast allows individuals involved in it tell their stories.

What I like about this podcast is the fact that Bill isn't showing just one side of straight edge, rather, a different range of perspectives. Some have obviously used this idea to create a positive influence in their life while others have seen a side of it that has greatly effected them in a negative way. All in all the idea of straight edge has helped them look at life differently and will continue to be an influence in the years to come.

I'm glad this podcast exists because some people who are straight edge shouldn't stay straight edge. Kind of weird to say right? It can be taken too far and is treated like a religion of some sort. Of course anyone who labels themselves something can either be positive or negative, but that's how the world works I guess.

Give this little thing a listen. It's comical in ways, but it also informs people that straight edge is either good or bad for people.

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A RESPONSE LETTER

Recently a response letter had been blogged from PetaPixel regarding a post about Eric Kim and his advice of becoming an "Aspiring Full Time Photographer." If you don't know Eric Kim he's a photographer a blogger who celebrates the art of street photography. I've been a follower on some occasions as he posts his experiences and thoughts of this particular style.

On some articles, though, I think he goes a little too far. He may be joking and perhaps get an audience to argue about "something" but this response letter from Missy Mwac makes me think about certain people and how serious they are in their profession.

"Dear Mr. Kim,

I read a blog post of yours titled “Advice to Aspiring Full Time Photographers” reposted on PetaPixel.

It’s filled with lots of exciting tidbits like:

“I think being a full-time photographer is overrated.”

“I think there really isn’t going to be a market for selling images in the future.”

“There is nobody really making a living selling prints, selling books, or licensing photographs.”

“Images are pretty worthless (in the marketplace)”

“Start a blog.”

“The “traditional means” of being a full-time photographer is over.”

“The only photographers I really see making a living “shooting” photography include commercial photographers and wedding photographers”

And then you write, “realize that my advice isn’t probably any good– because I have never made a full-time living just from shooting.”

And I can’t help but wonder why on earth didn’t you just lead with that sentence?

Now, I realize you don’t know me. Unlike you, I don’t make a full-time living teaching workshops. (90% of your income-wow!) I don’t make any kind of living teaching workshops, actually. I don’t make any kind of money from Amazon Affiliate advertisements on my blog. Come to think of it, I don’t have any advertising on my blog.

But I AM a full-time photographer, so your words mean something to me. And I suspect they mean something to all the hard-working men and women who DO make their living not with workshops, but with their camera.

And while I am all for not sugar-coating realities, buddy, I’ve got to say that you are way off base here. I understand you’re a street photographer, so maybe your viewpoint is a little one-way. Get it? One way? Street photographer? Hello? Is this thing on?

You make the argument that professional photography is on its way out because “everyone can afford a nice DSLR nowadays and put together half-decent professional work.” Well, you know what else everyone can afford, Mr. Kim. You know that thing that most people own or at least have in their possession?

A stove.

Yes, most homes have a stove. Most have an oven, too. Even a microwave. And they are pretty dang easy to use: turn it on, the burner gets hot, put the food in a pan and you’ve got dinner.

So, by your reasoning, with all these affordable kitchen appliances that allow everyone to put together dinner, there should not be a single restaurant still open for business.

And yet…

Most of us have coffee makers, too. Some are fancy, some are simple, but they all make coffee. And pretty cheaply, too, right there in our own homes.

By your reasoning, all these affordable coffee makers that allow everyone to make coffee should have put Starbucks out of business a long time ago.

And yet…

And don’t even get me started on scissors. SCISSORS. We all have them, which means we could use them to make our own clothes or cut our own hair.

And yet…

Now, I can’t be too upset with you. As you’ve admitted, you’ve never made a living being a full-time photographer. You simply don’t know what you’re talking about… Which makes me wonder why you wrote this blog post offering advice to aspiring full-time photographers in the first place.

xoxo"

Eric Kim is crazy. I don't know what his motives are, but I think he may need to step back and realize who he might piss off because it may backfire on him. This could be the start of a long problem.

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ADVICE FROM PHOTOGRAPHERS

7 photographers were ask "what they wished they learned in school" from photo news PetaPixel. The article stated the obvious such as gear knowledge and business knowledge, but there were two that sort of went a little further than those subjects.

Ami Vitale

"One major thing I wish school had taught more about the language of contracts, copyright law, and knowing how to navigate through the business side of things. Having talent and working hard is one side of being a photographer but you must also be a decent business person to continue the craft.

Another really significant thing is the importance of working on a personal project. It’s the kind of thing that you have to do for yourself only. Don’t think about whether an editor or audience is going to like it. Do you care about it? Thats what keeps creativity and inspiration flowing. It also attracts the kind of clients you want to be working for in the future."

Elizabeth Weinberg

"The most important thing to remember is to keep making new work, even if you feel like you’re in a slump. The internet now affords you unlimited free gallery space. You want as many eyes as possible to see your work. Come up with new projects and see them through. Make zines, do print giveaways, keep yourself active on social media, go to openings (and be a nice person!)—jobs can come from the strangest places and it’s all about staying visible and keeping your name floating above the noise."

I think they're great pieces of advice from schooled photographers. What I wish art school had taught me was do shit yourself and who cares what others think. And as far as being a certain type of photographer be yourself because everyone else is taken.

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