THE END OF PHOTOGRAPHY

drool doesn’t much like over-produced commercial work done by
folks who are fotografers (usually big-time shooters at big-time
studios in big-time cities) in name but, really, when it comes right
down to it, are really just producers with a camera.

Much is made on their blogs (and other hype) about all the staging
and talent and technology that goes into their end product. Seems
to drool that the one thing missing, never talked about, in these
situations, is the soul of the image. And that’s because, in drool’s
opinion, the resulting fotos have none. No soul. No sir! They are
commerce, pure and simple. So perhaps drool’s criticism of these
types of images and “fotografers” is out of line. After all, it’s kind
of like criticizing an apple because it’s not more like an orange.

Never the less, drool stands by its opinion and stands up to be
counted. (Irked, no doubt, by the smugness of these techno-
geniuses at their grasp of the technology, while they lose sight
of what really counts. Unless you believe creating soulless images
strictly designed to move product is what really counts. Can’t argue
with that.)

One of the things drool finds funny (in both senses of the word)
is how the technology seems to be leading the creative and how
that defines whether the work is “good” or not. And let’s get this
straight here and now, these images are “good” in that they perform
the task the client wants them to perform. But to drool they seem
like the end of photography.

Now, it could be said that drool is just old and out of step (might be
true). That drool is envious (definitely not true). That drool should
just take a breath and get on with it (drool will)………

CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR

I have a couple of solo shows coming up this fall. One of these
shows will be featuring some of my older work. So I’ve been
digging thru my archives a bit lately, looking for and printing
images that mine the same vein as my most recent work, that
are different but the same.

Here are a few that are close-but-no-cigar:

Some test prints

Cindy at a friends cottage

My father

Young man with hat sitting on the ground

Young man with umbrella (after August Sander)

FLOWERS AS METAPHOR

Angelina McCormick is exhibiting bits of all 3 series of flowers that she
has shot over the past 5 years. The show: Secret Garden, is on display
at The Red Wall Gallery until August 18th.

Show poster in window

Installation view

These images, shot with Hasselblad, Holga and 8×10, to quote
the blurb:

…..convey a different aspect of the
artist’s search for self.

Early work tackles aging, sickness and
also death as transformation. Images
of this ultimate of changes from life
to death are made by someone who
describes herself as “ruined and living
in both worlds”, and pose important
questions about our perceptions of
both states of being. McCormick’s
Holga series is playful and made
with deliberate misdirection. These
photos of fake flowers cloak gallows
humour in a seductive surface of
candy colours and soft edges. The
most recent works become larger
and more iconic. Crisp and bright,
they induce awe sometimes at odds
with their unpretentious look at
human relationships, personalities
and archetypes.

So, flowers as metaphor.

Now, I’ve never been big on metaphor, usually preferring a
more direct mode. And, in fact, battled with myself over the
seeming shoehorning of meaning (viz.: the show’s blurb) onto
these images of flowers. But after some reflection realized that,
yes, there must often be meaning in images that I just don’t get
or see. Realized that not every thing, every image, will speak to
me, nor convey its exact, intended, meaning (if, in fact, there is
one) to me.

I realized that I can just look at these images and enjoy them
for what they are to me: Plain, simple, fully rendered, absolutely
beautiful pictures of flowers. I suggest you see this show and
come to your own conclusion(s).

Angelina McCormick at her opening

500 PHOTOGRAPHERS

Rotterdam photographer Pieter Wisse has decided to compile a list
(with bits of commentary) of 500 photographers whose work appeals
to him. One a day, 5 days a week, 100 weeks. 500 photographers.

Great idea.

I’m honored that Pieter has decided to include me in this list. Go here
and check it out.