Office Project Polaroid #2

The Stream Trail: A photograph is enough

I shot these two images at a park about a mile from my house in Oakland. There is a path called the stream trail where I go hiking and I shot there last week.

I used to think I had to travel to far away places and then use a lot of post production to make a successful photograph. I think most commercial photographers (and art directors) fall in love with what a retoucher can do and as a result I think a lot of imagery used today in advertising does not connect with its intended audience. Since its inseption photography has had an ability to capture and transmit emotion in a very direct way. By adding the unreal element of retouching the connection between the photograph and viewer is broken and by extention the bond between photographer and audience is broken as well.


Of course I am nor swearing off retouching forever and I know that it has its place and am sure I will use it again soon. It's just that it occurred to me as I was standing in the rain with the same basic tools (a lens, a box and a piece of film ) used by the first photographers, what a gift photography can be. Unadorned and simple. A photograph is enough.

Office Project Polaroid

Folsom Shoot

AM Finals

The Happiest Place on Earth

I have found the happiest place on earth
I am part of a community that really gets me
I can say anything without fear of judgement or reprisal
I am accepted by people who would normally not take my calls or have blocked my email address in the past
I can engage in behavior that previously has been characterized as strange or "stalking" (whatever that means)
Everyone is always in a good mood and is witty, charming and never incontinent or flatulent
Where is this utopia?
Here.