After a year and a half of shooting for my new project I thought it might be time to have a hard look at what I’d done.
I went to Staples and made 300 small laser prints, the selects from all those thousands of pictures I’d been stacking up on my hard drive.
Let’s get physical . . .
Went up to my studio and laid them on the table. My first thought was, Tony, you’re gonna need a bigger table.
My second thought was, Tony, get a grip. Get ’em from the table to the wall and there’ll be room on the table for more.
Easier said than done. I hemmed and hawed, choosing the first image seems so important. Then I thought, Tony, this is only the first beginning, there will be dozens, if not hundreds more beginnings to this thing before you’re done.
So I just picked one and stuck it to the wall, followed it with another and another. Tried some permutations, explored a few options.
Then I took the dogs for a walk.
There, I had begun, that was the main thing. The other important thing, I told myself was, Tony, don’t let this thing you’re doing climb on top of you like bad drugs, just go for the ride, enjoy it.
A while later I went back, added, subtracted, wondered, tried to feel.
Then I did the dishes, made dinner, ate it, decided to paint the kitchen floor red. After all . . . life goes on.
The next day I realized that when I began this edit/sequence, began to mine this data, began my search for just enough meaning in that stack of pictures, I had been falling back on old, familiar patterns. That’s not going to work here. Unlike my previous projects this new work isn’t about any specific location, demographic or fact. In fact it’s fiction. I’m going to have to figure out a new way of relating to my photos, and of having them relate to each other.
So far my only conclusion is that this will be the most difficult edit/sequence I have ever attempted. There are so many threads to weave here, so many layers, so little is defined.
I’m nervous and excited.
drool.SEEKS RECENT PHOTO PROGRAM GRADS
drool. would like to get together with 3 or 4 (or 5) recent graduates of local photo programs. I’m talking Algonquin, Ottawa School of Art, UOttawa, SPAO, and any other ones I’ve missed.
The aim is to initiate a conversation (for publication on the blog) about the trials and tribulations of, well . . . recent photo-school grads.
There is no agenda other than to bring forward your thoughts on how it’s going for you, what you think of the local photo-scene, how your expectations were met and not met, and any other issues that may arise.
If you are interested in participating please PM me. Or, if you know someone who fits the bill, please share this with them. (You will find my email address on my website, which you will find by clicking on the tonyfoto link at the top of this page.)