Shit…I hope my best still is out there! I hope it always will be. Otherwise I have no point for existence.

I am perfectly comfortable in saying I can produce. I know I’m capable of quality work (crap, too! But that will always be the case, right?) But everytime I go out, whether for my personal project or for an assignment, I am always pushing for/thinking about “better.” Better than the last outing. Better than the last assignment.

David…after reading the above…not asking you for advice, but what “suggestion” would you give to me, right now, today, as things are in my current photographic existence?

Hope that’s not too much trouble given where you are and what you’re trying to prepare for!

As usual, many, many thanks!

Cheers.

Mike

David,

Neither photo was up yet when I first read this post. I love the ‘Fisherman and Wife’ photo.

Cheers!

i always implore the photographers i mentor, to please please minimize the “who can i get to know” list and maximize the “here is what i will do” list….one thing i do know for sure, if you have the work, really HAVE THE WORK, your Medici will materialize…

absolutely david, it was this thebeginning of my life as photographer at full time. but first i was making stories just to my self discovering myself and the others.

cheers,
nelson

i always implore the photographers i mentor, to please please minimize the “who can i get to know” list and maximize the “here is what i will do” list….one thing i do know for sure, if you have the work, really HAVE THE WORK, your Medici will materialize…

absolutely david, it was this thebeginning of my life as photographer at full time. but first i was making stories just to my self discovering myself and the others.

cheers,
nelson

i always implore the photographers i mentor, to please please minimize the “who can i get to know” list and maximize the “here is what i will do” list….one thing i do know for sure, if you have the work, really HAVE THE WORK, your Medici will materialize…

absolutely david, it was this thebeginning of my life as photographer at full time. but first i was making stories just to my self discovering myself and the others.

cheers,
nelson

i think i’d have to say “the best lays ahead of me”… i mean i am constantly learning, leaps and heaps and leaps at a time, seeing new things, discovering, realising that it is all about the journey, not just reaching the end goal (whatever that may be)

i feel like i am a student of my own eyes, my heart, my mind, my guts… looking and learning with the openness and curiosity of a little child… i get pushed over in every direction i can imagine, and everything influences me profoundly… i hope i never lose that, but maybe i should… i am so naive…

that said, i do hope to find the way to “get to it” as you say… and from time to time it really worries me that i don’t “know the way” to get there…

whatever way that may be…

is the concept of medici still possible in this day and age? i definitely hope so, and i believe it very important…

peace
anton

Hi David
beautiful photographs, I love the picture from Tangier, I think thats an incredibly beautiful shot. I get a nice calm feeling when I look at that photograph. perfect for Saturday.
thanks for the insightfull words too.
good reading, and looking forward to how this post unfolds

P.S. I LOVE LOVE THE TANGIER PHOTOGRAPH! :)))….and the Kibbutz pic: especially the Asian woman’s piruet foot and the light on her face :)) (same woman from Nachtwey pic??) :))

running toward water

b

David,
I’ve been taking pictures with intent since November, inspired to do so by you and this blog… everything I’ve done since is throwaway… I’m trying to find my voice, work on my technical chops, get the derivative, puerile, cliche, stupid pictures out of my system. That being said, it’s time, I think, to start making some decisions…

To answer your question, my best work is on a map somewhere I have never been, but I’m getting closer, slowly, with each step. But I’m enjoying the view as I go along.

I have a question, David… I’m coming to the conclusion that viewing work on the internet (obviously) is a totally different experience from sitting in a room with some nicely printed 11×14 prints… The internet experience favors a certain type of work, and is totally inappropriate for others (mine, I think!)… for several reasons.. scale is a problem, setting up rhythms between two or more pictures (side-by-side) is impossible, the physicality of the picture is gone. These problems are very destructive to the experience of viewing photography for me. I wonder what you think, and do you think that the primacy of the internet as a vehicle to display work is changing photography, and is it for the better? If a website reduces, in some way, the work, what’s a photographer to do? Should I just cave in to modern living and judge pictures by how they look online?

“to live as if the only voice in our body was the spin and hum of the world….”

BOB! :)))) Yes, yes … consciousness. very well put, i will remember this. You are a muse … did i ever tell you this? it is true, and very rare. someday soon i will have something to show you ….

And SIDNEY, it’s good to hear from you again neighbor!!!! missed you here. please hang with us :)))

tom

No problem David!

Will definitely say hi to you in C’ville. But will get back at this “future” stuff with you after the 14th.

Thanks.

Inspired by this thread, I determined to go out to f/8 and be there for our happy little burg’s annual homage to Fedora, the hat goddess. My pockets full of Tri-X, my two digital p & s’s set to Postive mode, I sallied forth to record the paraders and their strange hats. Here in our happy little burg the temperature is currently 98 degrees Fahrenheit, or 36.6666667 degrees for those of you on the distaff thermometer, and the humidity is hovering somewhere close to 145%. It is hazy, it is hot, it is excessively humid. In short, even the damn mosquitioes are sweating like Mrs Murphy’s prize pig. I hereby authorize all here on this blog to take me out and slap me until I come to my senses the next time I even think of trying this stunt again.

DAVID,

I agree completely with your wake up call. Just waiting for a “break”, to be discovered is a dead end, rather than to actively discover. Any successes I’ve had have come from a firm belief in what I was doing, persistence, and “work”, although when things really click, the “work” feels more like “play”, and who wants to stop playing??? So definitely, my “best lays out there ahead” and I am jumping on it.

f8 and be there: david, for us neophytes could u please give some background information to tangier island. curious as to a picture taken roughly forty years ago..are you transported back to that scene when you see your own picture ( fisherman and wife) do you remember the scent of the place or the light or perhaps scraps of conversation or a car parked outside or the coffe-tea shared with guests ?? also the camera and film is that all cemented in the minds eye of memory when looking at ones obsession in retrospect through a lifetime of shutter speeds and f-stops ? do you miss the days of kodachrome ? i heard that national geographic society bought over 50,000 rolls of kodachrome and froze it years ago for all the photographers whom prefered this film > true or false ?

great post david. to your point, i know that my future lies with a story up north, way north in fact.

if only funding were no object :)

best,
dave

http://www.davidlroot.com

Son of a B$%#^!

I just wrote a long post complete with links to many of the emerging photographers whose portfolios I viewed last night at the public viewing for Review Santa Fe and lost it all. Darn!!!

To recap…

I certainly hope my best is ahead. The big question is HOW FAR ahead? :))

Your comment is very timely. I saw the work of 100 photographers who were juried into Review Santa Fe last night and what was incredibly clear is that most of these folks have WORKED THEIR ASSES OFF.

Here are links to photographers I liked. Take a look and see what you think.

http://www.menuez.com
http://www.clemencedelimburg.com/ (a former intern for DAH)
http://www.juliedenesha.com/

I think you really need to answer to both sides. Although it’s true that you can’t get anywhere if you don’t have the work to show for it, I find that most photographers have the work and simply believe that if they are a great photographer, then work and recognition will come to them and that’s simply not the case. They need to go out there and show it, market themselves and make sure as many people as possible see their work. You need to produce, yes, but you also need to market. They go hand in hand.

I also agree that it is important to have that one contact who loves your work. I met a really nice guy who was a supervising editor for AP and if it wasn’t for his help in motivating me, I would have only aspired to find work at the local paper…I’m still trying to find my way, but at least now I have more ambition than that and believe that the possibility of following my dreams exist.

“get to it”….Obviously! ;-)

There is always something in your entry posts, David, that hits us and helps redirect our energies, or rething our assumptions. For me, It’s you saying not to knock at too many doors, “please evryone”. And I relate it as well to James Nachtwey telling us he works with few, but committed media outlets (though TIMES is no shabby relationship!).

Anyway that threw me off, in a good sense.

I wonder if some here have found that special relationship already, it would be great to tell us.

Herve
on my last job, I had the good fortune to be in the prescence of a major photo editor, who happened to be a close freind of the person that hired me. so I am thinking holy crap, what an awesome opportunity. we actually kind of collaberated on the event.
so then when all the work was done, I sent over a disk with all the work on it, and a week later I get an email back saying how much they liked the work, and quote “we should get you on something in LA”, so naturally I am leaping around with joy, doing back flips all the way down 8th street and back again, finally maybe this is it, my opportunity to be featured in a major major publication. I am pacing around, chomping at the bit, a race horse ready to bolt, as soon as that gate opens.
so I mentioned my book mock up, and the reply is “send it!’ so that was sent out last week. I gave it a week and last Monday sent out a msg, but I still have’nt heard from them yet.
this is a publication that if I landed an assignment could be huge, but the waiting game is really doing my nut in. I don’t really know what I should do. the last thing I want to do is bother a major editor, but at the same time, I don’t want to slip out of their mind.
I don’t think thats going to happen, reason being was that I recieved such a positive response. I can’t imagine that such a heavy weight would send out a false msg, but this waiting is so tough.
its really got me thinking about the relationship that photographers have with art directors and photo editors. we are in their hands. thats pretty tough, you know, especially because we all, in a way, demand our indepedence.
I have over the last 15 years accumulated a lot of work. work that I am extremely proud of. so I feel that I have a really solid body of work, I have not been idle, but at the same time, I also feel that where I am at right now I think I am producing my best work. (thats just my own thoughts, you can tear my work apart if you want, critique or whatever), so even though I feel good about my work to this point, I really enjoy each step forward.
so this post “f8 etc”, kind of pertinent to my life right now.
also made contact with to interesting gallerists today. there is quite a strong art scene developing in downtown LA at the moment.
so, this was good for me to read Davids post. kind of perfect. we shall see though, like I said last post, had a lot of ups and downs, so…I don’t know. I hope, pray to the Mystery God, something…Mystery God…unravel the secrets of this confusion. show me to the path.

HEY JAMES C

Cheers for that mate, needed a prod today. Very, very eviction type broke AAAARRRGGGHHH! (hope they keep the site up, I owe them $’s on top of all else)

BTW mediocre response? The new work is unbelievably gorgeous! I am in awe (and kinda envious) When you gonna apply to the big M ‘eh?

Sorry, errata again, I should have written “most personal” work, not “best” work.

Hello,

I am not sure to have seized well your expression,
I think that it is by the work that I shall arrive to a career, I don’t still worry about it, I think that I have to photograph and that it will come later, and I always hope the best of me (but maybe I have already made him(it)? It is what what frightens me), but I continue to photograph by hoping for the best to come…
This summer, I am going to have some photos exposed in Arles in the gallery sfr and also a projection during the festival Voies Off in Arles, it isn’t much but I am already very satisfied, I always thought that the work will pay one day and I have the impression that it begins, 3 years on a subject and it begins to move….
found you, accidentally, I learn many things with you all here, notably photographers (you and the others) whom I didn’t know or little, painters, authors… thank you very much
And I hope that I shall find as you said a gallery owner or a chief editor or…, I have already found a quite small agency photo in Marseille http://www.camayeuxmarseille.com who believes in me, I didn’t gain(win) money for the moment, but they believe in me and it is already a lot…
I work and we shall see well…

Kind regards,
audrey

Classic! You are doing a great blog David! Hope to meet up at Look 3 next week.

The best work always has to be the next job. One of the great things about taking pictures is you can always get better, be better. Sometimes everything slips through your fingers and turns into a pile of shit but then it would be no fun if it was too easy. I’m currently trying to get hold of some camera traps for my next couple of trips so it could well be a case of F8 and be some where else.

I’m also waiting for that big break I’ve got some great stories that I failed to do anything with hopefully because I’m a shit businessman rather than a shit photographer.

OK was maybe being a little harsh (woken up hungover by a drill and general loud maintenance sounds in the room directly above me this morning)… and I was by no means just referring to your comments HERVE (thanks for the follow up btw) :) A few have mentioned that the portraits are not up to the caliber of the essay work.

It is so necessary, and I appreciate it when people are willing to speak there mind regarding edits, pussy footing around is so detrimental to the process. Gotta tell it like it is!!! Hopefully will have the Multimedia finished tomorrow, Its been a real b**ch!!! (drilling and hammering really don’t help the voiceover process either!!!).

James

ALL….

as usual, your comments continue to inspire me….you are writing better and better all the time…i will be teaching all this week and so i will not have much time for responding, but i am reading and thinking…..

by the way, i noticed the other day that we had received well over 20,000 comments here on this forum since we started a little over a year ago…i do not know for sure, but i think that must be quite a few by blogland criteria…yes, yes i have the whole thing printed out…and, yes, i will soon have it all categorized by writer…all of Akaky in one place all of Cathy in another etc etc etc…

many of you will be around for Look3 and i am wishing that at least one of you will “report from the field” on the whole fest…

ok, running running to class…this will be my last workshop class for awhile actually…i must totally “drop out” of so many things to work on the family project…

wishing you all a good day…back soonest…

cheers et al, david

DAVID :))…Detective, i guess that’s comes from being a dad ;))…besides, my photographer eye tends to always look for shadows and lights and clues :))…have a great week and marina and i are with you in spirit…will write u after the 2 weeks have past and u’re recovered :))

YOUNG TOM: ;))))…i dont think im beautiful enough to be a real muse: aren’t they suppose to be gorgeous, the muse that is ;))…but i’ll swallow any pics u have: would be a pleasure to look :))))

ANTON: Will write u something after you finish your workshop: now, you should concentrate soley on your time and the strong and brilliant insight of David: he’ll give u more than anything i can write about your essay: have fun and knock us out with pics :))

SISTER LISA: :))))…would be my pleasure: u let me know, and i will make the time for you to write something :))))

ok, have to run (literally run) with marina :)))

by the way, i think it’s interesting to put that for some photographers (like us) “personal work” is our work and the work we live and die by, earn money from…for others work that is “assignment” is their bread and butter and their existence ….it is entirely what kind of photographer you are and what means funnels your ends…maybe it’s the “professional” distinction between being Editorial photographers and Fine Art photographers…i dont mean to classify or ghettoize, ’cause i dont believe in that distinction as a differentiating quality but one of funding per se……few magazines or media outlet will show the kind of work that marina and i do, though we try try try to get it seen, and often the outlet for us are galleries or books or websites, where as our best friend in Toronto (an Ian-perry award winning photographer) publishes in newspapers and magazines almost exclusively and often by assignment…though now she’s working on a “personal” project ;))…

for me, the thing that matters the most is just that: have you committed yourself to what kind of photography you are doing and have you committed yourself to the time to do that…it often comes at great expense (for us, over the last year particularly the expense has been at great financial costs, which is why i am not with y’all this week at Charlottesville)…but, as Marina reminded me on friday: the work and then the money ;))…

good luck ya’ll, great thread :))

ps. wrobertangell :)))) good luck good luck…i have a friend also who is a major major PE (she used to work for Magnum too) and i’ve never approached her for work, cause i know her mag would never publish our stuff, so i talk to her instead about photographs…i hope u get all that comes u r way :))

BOB & DAVID: Inspirational. Thanks for helping us keep the eye on the ball.

ERICA, LISA, JAMES & ERIC: I haven’t gotten to your emails yet, but I will now. Thanks.

ALL:
Why aren’t we talking about a gathering one night in C’ville? I have to leave on Saturday because I’m going to Mexico, but I’m arriving with Brendan on Thursday, so Thursday or Friday night would be ideal!

A question to all.
Has anyone, especially those “ready”, been contacted by one or some of the editors or profession people, who are, David tells us, dropping by, reading the blog?

A “maybe?” question to David and all:

How about a new entry in WS/students for people to introduce themselves, in a few lines, and what they’re after. I am sure I am not the only ones mixing up names, and who said what?

Mr Harvey, regarding the low light assignment, I think you’ve probably seen all of these:

http://www.lightstalkers.org/galleries/contact_sheet/11931

except for the last one.

Akaky ,
i had no clue of how famous you are..

http://byjane.blogspot.com/2008/02/interview-with-akaky-bashmachkin.html

;-) @ Anton.

Panos, I dont think that orange sheet is really me. As for famous on the Web, this, to paraphrase Rene Zellweger, is an honor akin to being the world’s tallest midget.

“…It pretty much is raining/storming in the afternoon to late evening this week. Shouldn’t be too bad.

Posted by: Michael Kircher | June 08, 2008 at 01:29 PM…”

thank you Michael for weather info…but
that last one???
How do you define “too bad”…?

I’m california california spoiled!
dont you see i started complaining already!???
laughing ,
peace…

“outrageously humid”…
sounds like a boot camp..

Panos…said: “How do you define “too bad”…?”

Just remember….some of the best photographs are in the crappiest weather. Which means we’ll have no excuses!

I do not believe “f/8” is the most important part of the quote. It is all about the “Be there” aspect and the way to definite the “where” of “there”. The easiest definition I found is “there=here and now”.

Eric and Charlie…

there was talk in an earlier thread about meeting up outside the theater after Mary Ellen Mark’s talk.

I think that’s still on.

SUBURBIA IS BOMBED…
SUBURBIA IN FLAMES… DEAD POSSUMS AND
FAMILIES IN THE STREETS…

http://blog.panosfotografia.com/2008_06_08_archive.html

Exactly Eric…
I was thinking .. to correspond hourly, briefly,
A complete one sided coverage… iPhone EXTRAVAGANZA…
I JUST CALL to order a MEDIUM FORMAT iPhone…
so i can do A PORTRAIT of each and every DAH blogger i will find…

,,,In complete touch with the headquarters in Santa Monica, CA,
and my good friend Ryan Sharif… we will be posting “BREAKING
NEWS”… and the DAH blogger portraits… (iPhone) portraits…

I just got informed that there is NO MEDIUM IPHONE, yet..
so…. let’s work with what we have for now…

peace

Eric: 4pm Thursday ???? is DAH announcing family project???

Ok.. then…
my Delta fucking airplane arrives in c/ville at 4:30pm..
So, it’s only fair to start without me…
so please let someone to cover the first minutes of the “play”
until i’ll eventually make there…
and i will start working , immediately, i promise…!

If I cant be there I hope I can count on Panos to show us a (almost) live update of whats going on at the festival, especially David’s presentation of his American Family project and the slidshow of the work from the blog….Panos, youve got a big job to do

Tricky indeed Panos. I know your stuff is completely different though.

From yesterday:
http://www.humanfiles.com/journal_galleries/grfest08.htm

DAVID ET ALL,

I was travelling the last couple of days and considering the “new world” unveiled to me by your thoughts and the many amazing contributing writers/photographers we have here.
As many others here I believe my best is ahead, but also already here! I´m happy with my work but, in this very dynamic media, will always be pursuing the best of me, and it will be always ahead. Does it make sense?
Hard to follow up on this forum… but I don´t give up!

All the best,
Ari B.

Hello,

I wish you all the best for your workshop with David,

I hope that there is still a world on this forum?!! I would need your help(assistant)…
As I have already spoken to you about it, my work 15 minutes will be thrown(planned) to the festival ways off in Arles, and I shall like very much your notices on my selection and my order of presentation…

Here is the link
http://gallery.mac.com/audreybardou#100350
Name: audrey
Passwords: 15mn

What is that you appreciate my selection? Maybe I should present only 30, see less? Of what do you think of it? I have difficulty choosing my images and presenting them, I wait impatiently for your comments, thank you

Kind regards,
audrey

I think that question is a good one to keep asking all the time. I know I’ve got some work I feel good about, but me, as a photographer…I’m not ready to bare all. And I never know how far I need to go/get before I do. Maybe it’s a “you’ll know when you’re ready”. I’ve got some individual projects I feel good about, that I’d love to show around, but I also haven’t felt “ready” just yet to sell myself as a photographer and not just individual projects. I’ve never been good at the hustle. But I’ve always always hoped my images would speak for themselves, and then I’d be ready….

So for now just trying to “get out there and get it”…I think perhaps I need to take a chance and start by showing you guys at some point soon!

Can’t wait to meet some of you in Charlottesville. I must have missed the post about meeting up…just outside of the theater after Mary Ellen Mark it is.

Audrey, congratulations on all at Arles, very exciting! Off to look at your edit now…

Audrey, I like 3..it’s just a little more fun in my eyes, so breaks my flow a bit..7 I like too, I just don’t think it’s absolutely necessary..I enjoyed 15, but again it has a different feeling and pulls me from the series, and 21 I think the content gets lost..but whatever way you go, it’s wonderful..

DAVID,

thanks for yet an inspiring and insightful post. you and garrett are so right. it is such strange, what and how much one have to be spoon fed, to get your arse out the door, and just do it….intriguing what words (one have to hear), in which circumstances (you are) and pressure (?) one must have in order to get the wheels turning.

to you question, i have long felt that i was a person who “had an armful of great work” and felt, that i was in the need of a so called “break”…as i was under the impression that i was doing it…am still kinda there (my ego, i guess ;) but at the same time i gotta “f/8 and be there”…and for me it boils down to doing a long(er) time project. spend time with those people i see, and seldom observe/hang out with for over time…(apart from friends…)

a project like this i recently, to my greatfullness, “discovered”. it is on the theme of homelessness…where i would like to follow a man (who have an interesting story) and hang out…and also experience some of what he has been and is living. my concern with the project, is how the story will be seen by those in charge (as in government and local authorities). i wold hate to have anything negative published with regards to them and their current living situations…but i guess with good intentions, openness and speaking truthfully, this all should be ok, right?

wish you all a great start to a fantastic week!!

namaste’
jarle

Erica,

I don’t know why we always want to put it more, what you said to me for certain images, I already knew him(it), I like them less but I am going to look at your selection and to see or you want to take me, thank you
and do not worry you, I take him(it) not bad whole, on the contrary,

friendly,
audrey

Thank you Michael,

For 21, I like his(her,its) theatrical side, the background drape and their intimacy, the decoration of the studio is very important for her, but to be few is not it no good image… I am going to reflect about it…

For Arles, I don’t make party of the meetings of Arles, just man of the festival off, but I am very satisfied all the same…

Panos,
looking forward to your live feed from LOOK3 !!!!

Erica, tu as raison, je vois déjà beaucoup mieux…

Rafal, Katharina, ALL.
I will try my best for LIVE coverage…
but please , everone that will be in c/ville
try to help..
more angles mo better..
plus I promised for LIVE coverage..
not SOBER COVERAGE..

So.. I will start my coverage from the airport..
now ..
I guess everyone has my phone number by now..
please feel free to call Thursday..
give me updates, things I shouldn’t miss,
must see places , happy hour joints..
Mary jane outlets ..
or anything else you want..
we gonna burn this mother..
the roof is on fire..
I will repost my phone again on Thursday ,
but if you want email me at:

innerspacecowpanos@mac.com

And we will go from there..

Hello! Just want to say thank you for the reminder. Right to the point, there is nothing else to do then to go out there. But one needs to be reminded of that from time to time, it is so easy to just focus on the difficulites and never get going. For sure there will be problems along the way, but usually the problems can be solved.

Tanks and I just must say your photographs inspires me to work harder on my own photographs.

– Lars-Göran

Bonjour Audrey, for me

1 8 11 14 19 21 32 36 37

I do see your essay more about pantomime than intimacy with the subject (I do not mean access, BTW thumb up on that). So many backs turned, expectedly I suppose, but it accentuates the staleness and anonymousness of it all, and at 15 minutes for a pop, hard to expect more ;-)….

This not a criticism, just my reading, I am not sure what to make of it. Nothing new, I felt the same about Katarina’s essay in BKK. Actually, I have one question. Does this woman have a child?

Off to Paris…

also….

david really great post… great thinking for the week ahead i think. lots to think about with this and many conversations sparked by this i think.

i am a firm believer in always moving forward… everyone works differently yes. but for me i always have to keep moving forward… even if the work does not agree with me i keep going and i keep pushing. i never loose faith in what i am working on. as bob mentioned earlier in this post…

“if you yourself don’t believe in the breadth and depth, the blood and the breath, the sound and the bone of your work, no one ever will…”

i am a firm believer in this…

how do you feel with your work… does the tone change (go get to it/ arm full of work) with each body of work or assignment or is it all the same for you?

MK’s got it—there’s plenty of places to get a drink on the mall right after Mary Ellen Mark. We’ll just meet in front of the theater, but I’m sure some of us will meet before, too.

michael,

yes there are lots of places right along especially right by the theatre. many places to eat and grab coffee. the paramount is a great meeting place…

panos,

can you meet there??? its a really easy place to meet because everyone will be there to see the work.

and yes it is totally walkable

JUKKA,

You are right with your definition of ” Be there”. I too long time throught that I should be anywhere else than where I am for photograph. It is very frustating. And it is not productive. I still want to photograph the world, but I do not still wait the world to shoot each day what is around me.

Mike B,MK, DavidMcG,
and ALL C/villians..
Ok.. Paramount it is the place to be..
I’m in the car right now..
but later I’m gonna email my number
to a couple of friends here ..
so I feel safer and not so lonely..
I already got Mike W. Number so
.. So far so good..
we are on the same page.
At last.. Our blog from a Radio show
turns into a tv show..
its funny coz so far I created my own
“faces” for all of you.. But now time to reveal
our real faces..
Phantom of the opera style..
I hope I won’t scare anyone by pulling
my mask ..
laughing..
but I already know that nobody expects
cuteness from me anyways..
driving
laughing

dont worry Joan..
I will do what David did with Allard and James..
they talk, I type..

My goal is to try to interview as much
bloggers I can..
I’ll try to keep my ideas and impressions
limited..
I will focus at our iconic famous bloggers
from this blog , their ideas, their views..

.. And everynight , late late ,
I will do the wrap up show..
with the highliights and the SHADOWS
of the day..
stay tuned..
in my return I will also
post a PHOTO REPORTAGE
so you get the PICTURE..

And finally TOTALLY INSPIRED
BY DAVID MC GOWAN’S VIDEO
FROM LAST YEAR’S LOOK..
I will shoot video and make things even
more “real”..
hopefully David McG will do the same
so we get it ALL COVERED..

Keep driving..

I think it’s the nature of this crowd, no matter what we’ve achieved, to always think/know our best work is ahead of us. I’m sure it’s the Harvey model of pushing and reinventing!

Why am I not doing what I really want to be doing? I kind of am, I’m just not making any money. And that’s fine, for now—essentially I’ve exchanged money for time.

Good ideas sometimes get choked out by self doubt and a line of questioning I allow get the best of me, at least when shooting people.

My photo demons. Does this person understand my intent? Am I bothering them? Can I really own this shoot from start to finish? Is my camera too big? Is this the light I want? Am I over thinking? Why am I not talking? What is the first step?

I think the stuff I’m working on now offers the opportunity to start dismissing the wrong questions, and to just keep framing and popping the shutter. I could be a good case study making things happen RIGHT NOW! That makes me nervous—wait, that’s self doubt again.

So far editors haven’t called. So what do I do? Blame it on the economy, and shoot a story about it.

This group in particular seems to be on the cusp of great things, and here we have a home to share that hunger. It’s competitive and noncompetitive at the same time.

“but if you are “special” there are also way way more opportunities…and so so much room for invention….i swear, i have never seen so much room!!!”

I think that line is really exciting, because invention is going to sift out the pros from the prosumers, but beyond that it’s such a nice treat to witness invention first hand, and know something big is happening. This is truly an emerging crowd.

Three days until C’ville!

DAVID MCG SAID:
“…So far editors haven’t called. So what do I do? Blame it on the economy, and shoot a story about it…”

“…but if you are “special” there are also way way more opportunities…and so so much room for invention….i swear, i have never seen so much room!!!…”

DAMN RIGHT DAVID, DAMN RIGHT…

…VEBA SAID

“…ARE YOU READY for magic and mystery behind all of these names to disappear?

So, BE THERE, but be aware, there are consequences…”

VEBA DAMN RIGHT, although i dont think that the mystery will
disappear… it could actually get ignited…

ah , will see!

DAMN BOB …
I, WE , MISS YOU ALREADY..
HERVE, AKAKY and the rest of the really STRONG writers..
we need you…
but , hey , there must be a reason for everything in this world
hmmm… again..
( Reason for everything ??? : except from the things i choose to do, i guess )

Thank you David,
I just felt into the “self-doubt” zone for a sec…
plus my herb “doc” is outta town…

so, i feel very sensitive tonite!!!

You see!!??? What I mean?
everytime I start tripping..
everybody disappears except from
David and Young Tom..!

Ain’t this discouraging ??
and I love DavidMcG and I also love Tom H.
well ..
where the hell is everyone else????

Bonjour,

I saw revised my selection which is much more reduced thanks to all, it helped me to see more clearly…

Herve,

I wanted that this person remains anonymous because first of all she asked to me for it (even if I have her written authorization, her 22-year-old daughter doen’tt know about her profession, I don’t moreover know how she managed to protect her). In France, the passive soliciting is reprehensible by the law, and I would not want that she(it) is annoyed by my fault…But I understand that you are not sensitive to my series, I take him(it) not bad whole, each has the preferences what me frightened…. it is to provoke the indifference…

Friendly,
audrey

I am not sure to have understood(included) everything well also, I am sorry if I hurt(damaged) somebody, is not it especially my intention, I thank you for all your comments….
audrey

okay… just finished editing… i am so empty… i need to sleep… wake up tomorrow morning for first light… for more imagemaking…

i promised more info… david has us go out to shoot every day… every next morning at 9 show the images… you HAVE to be there, only excuse is when you are shooting… my god panos, i’m beginning to sound like you :)))))

here are my first days… raw, unedited, and a bonus from this night! even before david sees it…

title: the process of making “DISLOCATE”

DAY ONE (no clue what i’m doing)
http://www.antonkusters.com/day1

DAY TWO (in a dark place, dislocated)
http://www.antonkusters.com/day2

DAY THREE (PART ONE… david no see yet… pretty intense… self portrait night to complement day two… also music)
http://www.antonkusters.com/day3

DAY THREE (PART TWO – portraits… david also no see yet…)
http://www.antonkusters.com/day3b

peace
sleep now
anton

I love the work I’ve seen by photographers in this forum, and I hope to feature some of you at GlobalCompassion.com (click my name above for the link).

GlobalCompassion.com is not a commercial site, but it’s designed by a photographer (me) to give photographers exposure.

Please take a look. Your comments are welcome, too.

David, I just bought “Divided Soul” and it’s inspiring me with new ways to see.

Dear all,

Leaving in a couple of hours for the 18 hour road trip to Charlottesville. Over the Smokeys I go.

Looking forward to meeting all of you on Thursday and whenever throughout the weekend.

I’ll be the woman from Maui with the southern accent.

Lee

ANTON

Just beautiful lil’ bro, just beautiful…

Now I’m running too…

Panos request:

http://www.humanfiles.com/slideshows/look3_07/publish_to_web/look3_07.htm

david

i really like the way you remind us that one has to get out and take photographs to be a photographer, and i also like your practical advise how to go about looking for the ‘mentor’, somebody with whom one can have ‘the relationship going, somebody who loves his work the most. i quite see the point that it is better to try to impress some and actually impressing one or two rather than trying to impress everybody and ending up impressing none. it is an invaluable advise.

only one thing that i may share with you. may be some young photographers starting with big dreams probably face it at some point or the other. as a young photographer (without that mentor), you go out, do your jobs to the best of abilities sincerely and all the earnestness and hard work. though you first started photography without any big dream, but after you gather some experience, one fine morning it dawns upon you that you can do some real good job. so you put in more hard work disregarding all the odds and expectations that one faces from family and others. you realize you have improved quite a lot, and in spite of trying your best, you don’t find that ‘mentor’ that you have been looking for, may be because you don’t know how to do it, though everybody you meet ‘like’ your work. one day, standing on your own foot and not dreaming anymore, you realize that the pressure has mounted to a level where you cannot just ignore it anymore. so you have to make the choice, whether to continue trying to make a living out of photography and be happy ever after or just get the hell out of it and do something else, like selling potatoes or some other mentor-less jobs.

the experiences that you shared with us regarding Bill Garrett liking your story, of course it has changed the course of your life. the toughest part is just before that, when everything seems to be crumbling down, and you are pushed to the wall. one gets over it, the others don’t.

i also totally agree with you about the immense possibilities of the net for photographers of today.

but now, in stead of writing so much, i must get out and BE THERE! :)

thanks for reminding…

DAVID and ALL,

About f8 and be there..I’ve been musing (tho my thoughts haven’t taken me too far, maybe someone else has some insight) on what this means for someone who shoots in the way I do, more subject driven than happening driven.

It seems I am getting more and more clear about the kind of images I want to make, and at the moment that feels like more specific, and therefore, perhaps more narrow in scope.

For example, I went out (inspired by David’s initial post) in our million degree weather to brave the masses of the Puerto Rico day parade. I’ve been twice before, so I had a sense of the working conditions.

I photographed one man all day..obviously, had I not been there (and I was at f8 :) ) there would be no chance of getting any image – and in no way I am suggesting that one doesn’t have to do the work to get the work – but what I am musing over has to do with working intentionally and recognizing the times when one is primed to make good work vs when you just aren’t connecting. And with me, my m.o. is all about connection and an inner drive to connect..so is it important to keep showing up when the urge to connect isn’t there, or is that just a waste of film? It takes a certain kind and amount of energy for me to shoot as I do, and sometimes that energy goes dormant.

Is it important to push even when one feels withdrawn, or will this just result in disconnected work? Or might that disconnect yield something greater that what comes from following a specific, known vision?

p.s. AKAKY, PLEASE DONT JUMP ON MY ASS FOR MY SPELLING AND GRAMMAR ;)))))))…i know “shattering” not “shaddering”…im typing and running ;)))..my submission to pubs are usually more carefully edited ;)))

BOB– Call me if you and Marina can connect. I’m here in Toronto. +1.323.216.6460

David– Great post. BE THERE to meet FATE with F/8! Don’t you want to do an after party on Saturday for those of us who can’t make it until the tail end?! :))))

Shaddering? you’re doing that just for the halibut, arent you? Just trying to give me a haddock just like everybody else who comes down the pike. that’s just offal, chum, absolutely bloody offal. I should see a sturgeon, or someone who knows how to get a stain that size off a manta plays. I want whirled peas the sejm as everyone else, but I am not preprayered to pushkin out oeuf the whey to get it. Ah wail.

“give me what u got: i’d be a pleasure :))”

Bob, i’m not sure how to take that given our conversation my friend … but i’m sure i know what you mean, thanks :)))

Akaky,
My Cod, that’s funny.

That’s finny, Mike. I’d go outside and give the mussels a stretch, give my life some tang for a change, maybe pour some heart and sole into shooting today. But its too hot for that at the moment; I wish it were cold and clammy again.

ANTON: :)))

would love to see a series on David :)))) AND KEEP IT UP (so to speak)…the work is great!!! :)))..

hugs
bob

Yes Bob, these fishpuns really smelt bad, didnt they?

Roe to the man who puns too caviarly.

all,

i am here today. ran into david as well for a quick second. thursday night get together sounds like fun. i will bring beer for sure.

is anyone else here yet… my contact is on my website.

look forward to meeting all of you.

AKAKY!!!

Mwwwwaaaaaaaahhhhhaahahahahahaha!

Once again you have made my day!

Cheers- er- now was it Dad? (or step -Dad?)

@audrey: 08, 01, 11, 14, 10, 22, 37 (bingo!) ;-) (just brainstorming) tomorrow I should book stuff for arles if I manage to wake up early enough to make phonecalls and stuff…

Bob– Hope it works out for Wed. Would be great to meet you and Marina!

Senor, senor, do you know where we’re headin’?
Lincoln County Road or Armageddon?
Seems like I been down this way before.
Is there any truth in that, senor?

Senor, senor, do you know where she is hidin’?
How long are we gonna be ridin’?
How long must I keep my eyes glued to the door?
Will there be any comfort there, senor?

There’s a wicked wind still blowin’ on that upper deck,
There’s an iron cross still hanging down from around her neck.
There’s a marchin’ band still playin’ in that vacant lot
Where she held me in her arms one time and said, “Forget me not.”

Senor, senor, I can see that painted wagon,
I can smell the tail of the dragon.
Can’t stand the suspense anymore.
Can you tell me who to contact here, senor?

Well, the last thing I remember before I stripped and kneeled
Was that trainload of fools bogged down in a magnetic field.
A gypsy with a broken flag and a flashing ring
Said, “Son, this ain’t a dream no more, it’s the real thing.”

Senor, senor, you know their hearts is as hard as leather.
Well, give me a minute, let me get it together.
I just gotta pick myself up off the floor.
I’m ready when you are, senor.

Senor, senor, let’s disconnect these cables,
Overturn these tables.
This place don’t make sense to me no more.
Can you tell me what we’re waiting for, senor?

………I can smell the tail of the dragon.
Can’t stand the suspense anymore.
Can you tell me who to contact here, senor?……………………….

PATRICIA….

so so sorry you are not here this week….rest assured that i will find some way to meet with you …i think i am one link behind on seeing your newest work….and i will not be able to take a look until next week….

AKAKY, MICHAEL…

i need an aspirin….no, not from your puns, but from last nite…..now, you can see how difficult it is to just keep up here online with this “cast and crew” assembled on our forum, but you cannot quite imagine what it is like when they actually show up “in person” as seems to be happening at Look3…

LUIS…

i will link to your web when you are set up….i was not aware the American Photo piece was out…thanks for the tip…

AUDREY….

will i see you in Paris the last week in june??? i may not go to Arles….i really love Arles, but i am getting so so wrapped into my family series that i feel compelled to get back to it soonest….

in any case, i do hope we can meet soonest and i am anxious to see your newest work….

cheers, david

ERICA :))

yea, cant wait to see :))..make sure David gets some Hummus for that hangover of his :))))

DAVID: :))…look3 hasnt started yet, dont give urself amigo: u’ve got like 6 days left ;))))))…with u in spirit…

running y’all
b

Hello David,

Maybe you come to Visa for the Image to Perpignan in September ? I am embarrassed to say to you that financially it is difficult to me to return me in Paris at this month end, I hope that we shall meet very soon…
I began to work on my parents, dandruff accumulate, I have to develop, but I have no impression to make extraordinary things although he(it) is I shall put them on-line soon,

Kind regards,
audrey

LISA,

I’m not sure, even if Bob is. Be content, however, that I didnt try to sell you for cold cuts.

Hello All,

After responding to my LS posting, Erica suggested that I post here.

This is a last minute inquiry for a room, or floor to share at Look 3. I had arrangements with a friend in the area, but his plans changed. On a tight budget: I was hoping to exchange work, but I am willing to pay if anything is available.

If no one has suggestions, I was entertaining sleeping on the trail (am coming ready to do so anyway) – any recommendations on this front?

Sean

DAVID

Thanks for your message. Yes, I know when the time is right we will meet, maybe here in Detroit as you cross the country finding American Families. Speaking of which, I already have a Lebanese-American Muslim family who have agreed to be part of your project and still want to ask a lesbian couple who have a little girl & boy, and a single middle-aged male nurse who fosters refugee boys from countries like the Sudan, Iraq, Nigeria and Somalia.

Regarding my link to recent work, I’m glad you didn’t respond when I posted it. I’m in the process of totally reworking this idea.

ALL

I would very much appreciate your feedback on a reworked series that I tentatively call “my morning toilette.” Constructive criticism is what I’m after. This is a subject I’ve been trying to work with for a long time but have found it a tough nut to crack. Please help me!

http://www.pbase.com/windchimewalker/for_review3

PASSWORD: disability

Thanks
Patricia

Jonathan –

Just sent you a message.

Joan

hey all… update from me at c’ville…

day 4: trying a new approach to add to the “dark series” of day 2 & 3, tried adding more people and movement into the frame. didn’t really work out the way i wanted, it feels like a slightly different subject (although the style remains the same). to pull off this street photog i think i should have a had a clear subject/place and story. only the vertical of the car really fits in (and was withheld)

http://www.antonkusters.com/day4/

day 5: basically we all have to supply a final essay of 5 images for the slideshow (images that we created in the first five days), and i’m ok already with the work of the first 3 days… so the presure’s off a little… thank god… actually even might have 2 essays (the b&w dark images as opposed to the color portraits) so i’m really glad :)))

i hope david lets me show both….

but anyway, tried to bring the sun back in the darkness in day 5 (david no see yet):

http://www.antonkusters.com/day5/

(and a re-crop of an image from day 4)

tomorrow morning we will all be preparing our definitive edit for the slideshow… maybe YOU can give your take here… which 5 images form a compelling story to you guys, and how would you order them? this would be GREAT

BOB BRO (and ALL others) i am counting on you guys & gals!!!!!!!!

i’m soooooooo exhausted right now… i feel like i’ve been photographing, producing, editing, learning, watching more intensely than any other time in my life… truly truly the thing i needed to focus myself and my vision of things… i have A TON of new ideas that i can and will pursue, and the knowledge to actually do it in a professional way… thanks DAVID, thanks…. you are great… love you and love the fact that we work AND party hard :)))))

going to bed again now, will wake up VERY early to prepare for final edit…

fingers crossed

peace to all
anton

hello all, Just logging in for te first time since I arrived in Paris. My time to find out how hard to keep abreast of all posts when you leave the blog alone for 48 hours. A humonguous task! And I hear from the kitchen, Mom is telling me lunch is ready….

Running, back later, and please everyone in C-ville, have one or 2 on me.

David, do not forget me, when you are in Paris. To meet Audrey would also be a great honor, if she is in the capital at this time.

Coming, Mom, coming…..

LIND-O:

SORRY ABOUT NOT CALLING, yesterday was an unexpectedly hectic day (life of the family)…i’ll call u this afternoon…Marina cant meet (she had to work yesterday and her plate is filled for today/tomorrow)..i’ll call today ~noon..

ANTON:

I’ll take a look now :)))..im sure it’s wonderful BUT Bro, that’s the hard work dog, you gotta do your own editing ;))))) 5 pics from 5 days: wow, that’s a tight edit (good for you mr. harvey! :))) )…get u words in a sec…

b

just read in the news, about the death squads in oaxaca…with two radio activists being assassinated…sad news.
do you know them or any of this story David?

http://www.truthout.org/article/death-squads-oaxaca

wish all look3 participants good times in C’ville!! (and of course everyone else too, who are not there :)

next year, the rest of us, who are now not available to head there, have to be BE THERE!!

peace,
jarle

ANTON,

I’m realy impress by the quantity and quality of the work you did in just 4 days. A workshop with David seems so intense than one day only with him must help us to win one year of experience.

Patricia,

I just did a quick google search to better familiarize myself with the symptoms of MS. The first to pop up were visual symptoms: blurred + double vision, jerky + constant under/overshooting eye movements, lack of coordination between the eyes, nystagmus, diplopia, flashing lights when moving eyes + in response to sudden noise… I have no idea if you experience any of these… They seem to me interesting points of departure.

The work you’ve posted gives me a glimpse of what you SEE when you emerge into the world each morning. It’s very literal and a bit too obvious for my taste. That said, I would love to see more of YOU and your “embodiment” (your word) in this project. I don’t feel like I’m accessing YOUR heart, YOUR body, YOUR struggle. I want to know what it’s like to be YOU. Not you pre 46… you NOW. I feel as though images of your scooter are a constant barrier, tertiary to the real meat and potatoes, camouflage.

As far as I know, you are the only one in our group who can tell THIS story — you’re truly an INSIDER. What is it really like?

Anna B.

running, jumping,
connecting flights, pushing,
losing, achieving, wasting time..
fucking humid Atlanta .
what a mess.. Still trying to make it
on time.. Motherfucking Oddyssey.
just like real life..
keep running..
sooner or later I’ll be there..
I have no choice..
its not about the final destination
its about the trip..

Akaky, you reminded me of something, don’t ask me why… When Saving Private Ryan (which is awful) came out , everyone was saying how the opening scenes show the reality of war… But Samuel Fuller (director of The Big Red One) said something like this: ‘The only way to show the audience the reality of war is to get the machine guns on the stage and shoot at them…’.

ERICA,

RALPH,

BIG DOG PANOS,

KYUNGHEE (you’ll be getting a letter from Marina today),

KATIA,

CHRIS (i haven’t forgotten to write you about OSX-its coming, i’ve started something for u),

JAMES,

SEAN (i’m sad we didnt get to meet this trip ($$$), but Arantxa and i are sending u our spirits)

LITTLE BROTHER HAROLD (MIKE B), (im so so happy and well, give me some of that coffee AND KEEP sending those phone pics, espcially tonight!!!

and

KAT (i am so so happy your work is going to be seen: see i told u: never give up and believe in yourself, ’cause no one else will if you don’t: marina will be so happy for you, will tell her tonight!)..

CONGRATULATIONS ALL OF YOU. I AM SO HAPPY AND PROUD OF YOU AND I KNOW THAT YOUR WORK WILL BE WELL RECEIVED AND WILL MAKE A GREAT IMPACT!!!! MY ONLY LAMENT (BIG) IS THAT MARINA AND I didnt have the $$ to go (welcome to the pleasuredome of life), but we are with all of you in spirit…and i hope to god Panos makes it on time!!! :)))

LINDA: CALLING U IN 10 MINUTES:

=======================================

DAVID: I DONT KNOW how more i can tell u, but you are simply the best and i am forever greatful to you and what you have done and given to us, all here, and to me. As i told you privately/publically, i dont think of you as a Medici, but as a big brother and a friend who has helped me (spiritually) and my family over the last years in ways you have no idea about yet…and it aint about the recongition of photography, but about your unquenchable and pulpy heart which refuses to yield to cynicism or ennui or start-status pretense, you are the real deal and that is why i start writing here 14 months ago and why i’ll never go, even when i get pooped or reduced to computer time…

you have given me, and us, something more important than mentorship or advice or acknowledgment or recognition:

you have fed us the the breadth and crest of your loved-living life and have marked us by love and community and friendship and in a world probated by much less more often, that is a gift that is phenomenonally rare and I for one want to tell u again that, to me, is the agency of your brilliance and your stardom…even more than your keen mind and great photography and wise mentoring/teaching…

a dancer in the most richer way…

thank you for your love and all that….

corn pipe too ;))

hugs
running
bob

Veba, I wouldnt be giving Mr Fuller’s remark wide circulation, lest some actor see it and see in it a solution to his or her problems with the critics.

Anton, ALL..
I. Already called couple of people..
ALL,
unfortunately running out of fucking
iPhone battery.. Running on fumes..

Right now I’m outside the “paramount “..
please call 310 4259298..
I also need to find Ben
to give me directions for the afterparty..
DETAILS AS SOON AS I’M GONNA
recharge that piece of shit..
BOB, ALL,
congrats…

Hey David,

no big problem but could you use Rafal instead of Ralph? Again its not really a big deal so dont sweat it. I use Ralph in Korea because its the English version of my name.

Anyway, Im really really hoping that someone does a “live” coverage of this one….would be awesome if panos did his iPhone thing at the show….

Anyway David,

super big thanks for this opportunity and pretty much for getting me on a different road after that portfolio review you gave me in Seoul. Lots of stuff to think about and a great example of how honesty, harsh honesty is so priceless. So big thanks again, I would have LOVED to be there today but thats the thing about living so far away. Hopfully we can meet up again somewhere, in Seoul or NYC or who knows where.

HEY GUYS!

Congrats on the show!!! Looks like a fantastic line up, those are 11 great photographers I reckon!

Now how did it go? Did you knock ’em dead?

Please PANOS, let us know!

CONGRATULATIONS FOR ALL! :)

especially for Panos and Rafal!

peace

OK folks! Charlottesville VA…east coast United States of America. Party at Harvey’s! Booze! And other mind altering fun. Lance, mike, David, Sean, ME!, and …drum roll…Panos!(there are others, but I’m alittle too drunk to remember.) Hate to spoil your well cultivated reputation MR Panos…but he’s of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. Seriously. Bill allard, Thom Mangelsen, Nachtwey,…I’m talkin’ serious freakin’ folks here people! Michael C. Maria Arago. (sp?) Bryan Harvey. Booze. (other stuff!) (thanks panos!) I’m with my beautiful wife, Rachel. I think Allard liked her! Who can blame him?

Anyway, exceptional coolness…drunken coolness. OH! And look for a groups photo by the man…DAH! I will be posting at my blog in the coming days. Not tonight though. Too tired. Going to bed. David…love you man! Thanks for everything.

Sorry no pics tonight. Soon though.

Be good,

MK

ANTON

Thanx lil’ bro, can’t believe you managed to post the pics!!!!

Exceptional work!

I reckon Panos is in the last frame talking with David, looks like he has a black bandana on his head…

Am I right?

ALL

For anyone that is interested I have added a few more shots to ‘Beautiful Music’ on lisahogben.com

If you have any editing suggestions I’d love to hear them, ‘cos I am going to be spending time with the choir members in their daily life for the next little while so I imagine its going to end up a pretty lengthy essay, so there is no room for weak shots.

I have a kind of a deadline for the preliminary shots on this one so any advice is most welcomed.

You know you get to that point where you can’t see your own stuff anymore- thats exactly where I am so if you can help with identifying the crap (there are two I am not sure about at least) I would be really grateful

Cheers

Anton, your party pix are FABULOUS!!!!!!!! Great energy, technique, captures, etc. etc. You, my friend, really rock!!!!! Thanks so much for putting us in your pocket. We got to enjoy it all without the hangover…

Patricia

Hi PATRICIA :))

ok, so finally Pbased workeD :)) (and i guess im the only non-hung over blog member, so i hope im not coming across as singing in the wind ;)) ), so, some words for you :))

ok, firstly I totally understand what Anna wrote you and her impression and I think her words/insight are powerful and ones that you should take to heart: hers is a very astute and sensitive reading! :)…I have a slightly different take on the series so far which i’d like to share with you :))

First, I found them very emotionally compelling, very compelling. This has nothing to do with you being “disabled” or a photographer with a disability. I find them emotionally and psychically honest. Though I found a a few repetitive, or rather a few could be chopped on the edit board, i found the totality of the essay very insightful, and more importantly very generous. I have to tell you that one of the strongest emotions that I felt was TENSION. At some point i felt almost clausterphobic, clausterphobic in the best sense. There is no getting around that you movement is “confined” to the dimensions and definitions of space: it is your reality in a way that most, nearly all people, simply never understand nor appreciate. We are all DEFINED by confined space, spaped and haunted and carved by it and yet most people never understand this, never appreciate their space, both the enclosure of it and the freedom of it (including the freedomon of definitions/enclosures). You, because of your circumstances, cannot escape your physical and your immediate/emotional relationship to space: it is there for you. the repetition of the scotter wasn’t tertiary for me but 1st level: as if this is your exo-skeleton (i fucking love skeletons), your external bones that are part of your abmulation, physically and emotionally. How does one negotiate space with their own body: i see the scooter and all the attendant tools that you need (the railing on the stairs, the chair on the stairs, the seat in the tub) as additional extensions of you, not “aids” but real. This created a real and dense clausterphobia for me, not because “poor ms. patricia who needs a skooter a bath seat a stair chair etc” but the emotion of someone who is confined by space because of their life, their size, their energy, their philosophy! We are all confined in our own way and it is this negotiation of space that is so remarkable in your piece..

in truth, for me, it wasnt at all about MS or your disability (well, of course i also loved the faitfulness of you staying in the shooting point-of-view from your chair, your seat, your bed, this is affective shooting that allows us to be you, at least visually) but about the negotiation of place for each of us. This was true too with your dance/techno stuff. I can appreciate the “diability” part of you from the fierceness of your pointofview, hiplevel shooting (for those of us who would be standing) but this is, for me, the ENTRANCE to the work, the real strength and heart of this work and maybe all of your work is that your story is about EACH OF US and how we encounter the world around us…who has not felt enclosed by limitation (physically, socially, emotionally, aesthetically, familiarly, romantically, etc)?…we’re all pinned in by our surroundings, and often how we view that is the definition of how we negotiation our lives…

it is your, in this essay, refusal to toss in sentimentality that really lends for me the strength…this is the morning, so i need to see you: the legs, the painted nails, the bedsheets, etc…now, i want to see this continue, the world outside as your burst wide…you have uncommon joy and strength and energy (i dont mean this cause of ms, but cause of the posts u right here: remember, i didnt know u had ms until last week when u showed the skooter)…

for me the essay can and will move larger than ms, but about how each of us gathers ourselves…it is more “obvious” for someone like you because WE see you “confined”, but we all are and we all neogtiate this and that is what i love about this work…

cut some of the pics that (again, i never like to tell another photographer which, cause each has their own vision) seem to repeat others and continue…

as for the spirit of Patricia, i didnt need that in these toilette pics, cause it’s morning and it’s your beginning (i aint that mad-crazy either in the morning) but i can see this dance move move funk-thunk as the day continues :))

u can write me off blog, if you want more words :)))

thanks Patricia

hugs
b

HEY PATRICIA

I agree with all that BoB and Anna B have said, but I would just like to say there is one photo that to me really stands out and thats the one of the stairwell/corridor with the chair at the end of it.

It just feels so forlorn and yearning- I really ‘feel’ that shot, its about humanity and its very clearly articulated to me. I don’t know but some of the others seem a bit kind of how it ‘is’ to be in your situation, rather than how it ‘feels’.

I reckon that it must be pretty bloody hard and I can tell you, you are definitely braver than me. While James Nachtwey is a great ‘war’ photographer I am sure even he would blanch at trying to photograph a war within his own body.

You keep going with this Patricia, I think it could be an extraordinary document one day.

Cheers

First, I am not hung over; even if I’d gone to FoP, and really, they’ve got to come up with a better acronym than that–FoP is so 18th century–I still wouldnt be hung over.
Second, I too weary of endless insufferable congratulatory messages to the well-deserving, so let’s stop doing that and congratulate me, instead. What have I done to deserve congratulations? Not a goddam thing, but then, I am a civil servant and nothing is what I am supposed to be not doing. I would strive for that perfect Zen like state of stasis that all civil servants yearn to reach, wherein I do nothing, I accomplish nothing, I become one with the Void in triplicate, and still get paid for not doing any of this, but to strive to do anything is to do something, which is anathema to the whole point of the civil service. Now that I think of it, this is probably why so few people like my stuff. Mr Harvey wants to see people in my work, whereas I am trying to get rid of the people altogether. It is a truism amongst those of us who work for the public that we can not accomplish a lot more than we aren’t accomplishing now if only we could find some way to keep the public out of the building. An impossible dream, you might say, but I still haven’t given up that one day I might reach that unreachable star.

PEOPLE, ALL,…
there was a point last night …

ok… restart..

1) i was sitting all alone outside paramount..
A long haired guy approached me with two twelve packs in his hands…
it was michael C.. he said “are you panos”?? , “… then follow me home..”
2) blazed one..
got back to the theater.. i meet DAH… WE MADE SO MUCH NOISE THAT THE WHOLE
PARAMOUNT STOPPED BREATHING for a sec.. or at least i did…
… it was a point that i was walking next to 4 NAT GEO GIANTS.. going back to david’s…
i was crying.. the “GIANTS” were talking about Venice Beach..

PEOPLE, DAH TREATS YOU LIKE A KING… HE NEVER TURNS THE CONVERSATION AROUND HIM..
HE ALWAYS FOCUS ON YOU…
we spent 8 hours analyzing the blog and each character.. we talked so much about BOB
and AKAKY or HERVE or CATHY or RAFAL for example that you guys wouldnt believe…

the 5 people in the room soon begun 400…
DAH turns and tells me… ok
help me.. lets split the crowd in two groups, two rooms , two GROUP SHOTS…
then MICHAEL K showed with his very beautiful plus smart wife…
… then Mike Berube stepped in… then this, then that… then CHRIS H…
…
then Nachtwey… then National GEO..
THEN WE HAD TO DO A “MAGNUM” analysis… then KELLY.L.J…. ( hot)…
then this, then that….
Early in the morning…. THE CROWD LEFT… WE GOT THE MUNCHES…

… DAH DECIDES WE SHOULD EAT… HE IS PICKY… like a drunk devil… he wants FUCKING
WAFFLES… fucking waffles ….
We ended up next to my hotel having SOUP AND A TURKEY SANDWICH…
I dont think he noticed… i still think he thinks he had waffles…!!! lol..
Then the four of us left got so delusional … got back in the car and decided
to find my room… my hotel..
We were right next to my MARRIOT hotel… but who cares…!!!
we got back in the car , start driving (CHRIS )..for an hour just to realize that
we WERE AT THE HOTEL… we ate soup there … WE WERE THERE, thats why we cant
find the place…….
jesus!!!!!!!!!..

I FORGOT TO SAY that DAH was so content with the slideshow presentation..
they used a fucking $200.000 projector…
ANTON, is a character by the way… and CHRISTINA FARAMO is the sweetest person
i met… last night.. or maybe not…

BOB, WE LOST THE CORN PIPE 34 TIMES LAST NIGHT…
ALLARD is the funniest guy….
I cant believe so many people new me last night…
I cant believe how many lurkers readers i met….
I cant believe people wasting precious time to read my shit…

At one point DAH asked me to organize a post that everyone would step in and leave
one comment…SIMPLY IMPOSSIBLE…

ok.. i need to fight this hangover…
i need to call DAvid now… he promised me a LOOSE day …
I will post as i go.. my iphone is charged…
ill be bugging you all day… now

he promised me ( since i missed my slideshow) to go back tonight for a PRIVATE show…

HE TOLD ME A LOT OF THINGS…
BUT MOST IMPORTANT … DON’T LET FAME GO TO YOUR HEAD , MOTHERFUCKER…
IT WAS A RED CARPET STORY LAST NIGHT… WITH THE AFTERPARTIES… and everything…

I still can’t believe that at one point i was walking down the street with the president of NATGEO
explaining to him about my theories and connection about freaky venice…

PS: VENICE, I LOVE YOU, AND I’M COMING BACK SOONEST..

http://web.mac.com/innerspacecowpanos/%22MOVIES%22/David_after_party.html

Okay, people in North Carolina are talking about me….behind my back no less….this is probably not a good time to bring up the fact that among the more unattractive features of my personality, and a feature I do my best to hide here, is an ongoing and completely rampant paranoia about almost everything you can think of. Please do not inflame the paranoiacs; we are very nice people when you get to know us and we promise we won’t hurt anyone with that arsenal we have stashed in the pantry next to the cans of string beans. Thank you.

AKAKY,
there was a point that i was talking to DAH about YOU,
so i had to ADMIT OPENLY,
THAT SOMETIMES I ONLY UNDERSTAND 3% TO 5% from some
of your posts….
….
and this little beautiful , babyface girl steps in out of nowhere
( i honestly cant remember the name… really pretty face and said:
I LOVE AKAKY, I ALWAYS READ AND TOTALLY UNDERSTAND HIS COMMENTS… HE IS THE FUNNIEST GUY AROUND…)

and i thought i was the comedy.. guy..
so AKAKY be as paranoid as you want ..
people LOVE YOU… they read your shit
LIKE A SEXLESS NUN READS THE fucking BIBLE…
peace..

ANNA B,,,
I might send you some iphone portraits later to help me post in your blog,..,. coz i dont want to wait until tomorrow…
but so far … still fighting the hangover a bit,..,
ok .. ENOUGH , I NEED TO GET OUT OF THIS HOTEL ROOM…
ITS ALMOST 2PM….
i will be checking the iphone so please ask me , ANYTHING..
LOVE YOU ALL…

ps: RAFAL,,DAH IS ASTONISHED WITH YOUR WORK…

BOB… YOU ARE A MAJOR, MAJOR CELEBRITY HERE…
IN OUR LONG LONG BLOG ANALYSIS YESTERDAY..
WE STARTED WITH YOU AND FINISHED WITH YOU..

please say hi to DIMA from uncle Panos…

ps2:EVERYBODY LOVED THE SNOOP – JIM MORRISON song
HILARIOUS……

PANOS
thank you (really) for your description and in focus picture so we can live a little bit of C’ville… WE WANT MORE from everyone!

ANOTON
is it possible that I saw Chris A. in one of your (energetic) Pictures?

PATRICIA
I love your work, seems to have a sense and strong emotion to me, I’ll write you an email.

ALL IN C’VILLE
have a beer for me.. yes one more!!!

PANOS
thank you (really) for your description and in focus picture so we can live a little bit of C’ville… WE WANT MORE from everyone!

ANOTON
is it possible that I saw Chris A. in one of your (energetic) Pictures?

PATRICIA
I love your work, seems to have a sense and strong emotion to me, I’ll write you an email.

ALL IN C’VILLE
have a beer for me.. yes one more!!!

PANOS
thank you (really) for your description and in focus picture so we can live a little bit of C’ville… WE WANT MORE from everyone!

ANOTON
is it possible that I saw Chris A. in one of your (energetic) Pictures?

PATRICIA
I love your work, seems to have a sense and strong emotion to me, I’ll write you an email.

ALL IN C’VILLE
have a beer for me.. yes one more!!!

…. what about the girl in pink twice in the right side of DAH pictures?

waiting for the new post….

…. what about the girl in pink twice in the right side of DAH pictures?

waiting for the new post….

…. what about the girl in pink twice in the right side of DAH pictures?

waiting for the new post….

…. what about the girl in pink twice in the right side of DAH pictures?

waiting for the new post….

You didnt get her name and number?! Yikes! :-(

Ok… Live from the PARAMOUNT..
we ARE SITTING IN THE LAST ROW..

Chris H, ANTON THE SUPERSTAR,
me sitting to his right..
Next to me is sitting SEAN GALLAGHER,
and to his right Is DAVID MCG….

WITKIN STARTS AT 1 minute..
I’m gonna try to make them leave a comments in a
second…
anyways.. WITKIN STARTS..
DAVID IS HERE.. Too.
back in a second…

LAURA

I just read the comment you posted on my PBase gallery. Your words are SO SO helpful!!! Special thanks for your specific suggestions regarding which images best tell the story. I’ll give it lots of thought.

Patricia

panos, i love your recounts!! :))
and who knew you were a scruffy ol ruffian?
just my kind of kid. ;)

and thanks so much for your posts.
it started to make me feel like i was… actually… there.

mwah! and big smiles!

k.

David, sorry I back again, I’m reading previous posts and I couldn’t believe that you had a workshop in India?! just a 4 hours flight and I missed it! don’t you have any program to be in Turkey or middle east in 2008? for sure you not going to have a workshop here in Iran but I really love to be in one of your workshop

hanks David, my website is crashed but I am preparing a link. I have a BIG problem to selecting pix for that. I’ve read this blog on and off (except this 4 last months ) but I couldn’t remember if you talked about making an standard portfolio, did you? I’m so bad in making it… must I choose pix from different project? if yes how to put them together? I’m feel useless, that’s the worst part of photography

ANTON
ON panos iPhone LIVE:

Heyhey!! Never worked an iphone before
Panos sitting next to me, watching Joel doing his AMAZING talk and images that are OUT OF THIS WORLD!!

panos I have a feeling we are gonna get drunk again tonight :))))

so much energy here!

Peace anton

ALL YOU… UPDATE…

panos is the most amazing guy…. got back to my computer here at the dorm to POST ANOTHER PICTURE…

panos, you da man… no kiddin

see you in half an hour at david’s place for a high five stereo :))))))

http://www.antonkusters.com/panos

BOB…

i’m the bald one with the red shirt…. :)))))) cheers bro, hang loose

peace to all
anton

ANTON: :)))

u r a damn fine lookin’ man too then!…when i saw those pics this morning, i thought “damn, panos is beautiful” thinking he was the bald guy in the red (i know david’s bald beauty already)…well panos is still smokin’ but man, i gotta shoot u someday too…and just in case u r worried: my wife is quite the photo-op, hopefully y’all see someday…so, dont be scared…

really, running away for some time alone now…

hugs
y’all
b

Love all the photos but the best so far was of panos meeting David and the two hugging….anyway, looks like the party was a lot of fun

ALL,
I just gave a big hug and
spent 20 real minutes with
PAOLO PELEGRIN..

Jesus..
I’m so lucky. He promised me lunch or at last
a photo and an interview tomorrow..

ALLARD is my friend now..
I thought he didn’t know me…???!
I got crazy.. When he told me ( over a joint)
that he loved my Venice beach work..
…whatttt???!

VENICE BEACH.. Work??
ALLARD wants to exchange emails?
ALLARD IS FUCKING INTERESTED???
then , FUCK ME..

ALLARD, PAOLO, JAMES N,
all in one night..

DAH , MAGNUM, NATGEO..
1:09 am, LIVE
FROM C/ville .

Peace

PANOS YOU GOT TO HUG PAOLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YOU LUCKY, LUCKY, LUCKY BASTARD!!!!!!!!!!!!

He is just toooooooooooo yummy………..

I will try to give it a try again tonight, but can’t keep up with the blog at this point, or the net in that respect. Somehow, I still feel all the love and energy from the Look3 gatherings coming this way, nonetheless, so i am off shooting in a minute in Paris, or maybe just my suburb, that’s where I was raised after all… My childhood, all here…

Tomorrow, going to the other side of the moon, aka. french farmland, Picardie, more shooting, but absolutely no internet, for a week. There too, my very early childhood, family everywhere, my family name an ubiquitous presence on many mailboxes. You have to tell the first name to know whom you talk about, and even…

Thanks for the energy, all, no time to read, but just a few lines here and there, and I am charged. With love. No love, no photograhy….

Adieu… for one week! David, we meet soon, OK?

… 6:15am..
i see the sun rising… ok, gotta go to bed…
i cant even read any comments..
I’m downloading… i will post photos later…
Hopefully, i will show you the “relaxed” side
of JAMES NACHTWEY
and the babyface of the real CUTE italian MAESTRO
PAOLO PELLEGRIN…

ok, sleep now… no energy left…

….. Joni ;-)…
fuck it … you are right… fuck sleep..
im going for breakfast and a STELLA ARTOIS…

peace…

NASHA….

i would love to do a workshop in Iran, but i do not think that is possible…my girlfriend was just trying to work in Tehran and just absolutely loved the people and was having the very best time and photographing more or less easily , but finally ended up having her files confiscated and she was deported…she has no idea what she did wrong and never had a bad word with anyone and smiles everywhere, but surely someone did not like something…anyway, please stay in touch and perhaps i will be doing something in a country near enough to you that it would be easy for you to join me…

PATRICIA….

had you come to Look3, as was your original plan, you would have been an integral part of it all…i will do my best to keep a clear eye on your work here….mentoring is so so much more difficult online…it takes days or weeks to get to the same points you can do in an afternoon in a workshop…just ask Anton or Robert…in any case, i will be “on your case”….you are special….let’s work together to make your work sing….

ALL….

you are getting some interesting reports from Look3…i trust there will be more to come…we will post a link to the slideshow today or tomorrow…

for sure, in the most unreal unbelievable magnificent way, our blogland became the “real world” at the Look3 event…

OUR forum here is quite literally one of the big “buzzes” of this event…our “debut” was palpable…

any thoughts that our forum is a “virtual world” only were erased with YOUR presentation at the Paramount Theater..

we turned online chat into something to be touched, seen, felt….

we were all quite amazed with each other in the surprise sense of seeing how much everyone really was in person exactly the way you might picture them to be from their writing…

the online “family reunion” aspect alone is enough to literally bring so many smiles, hugs, and yes tears, as to be seen by anyone as a phenomenon in and of itself…

stay tuned…..

peace and hugs, david

And now, a musical interlude…

.. To give you the atmosphere here…
you all know JAMES N images..
but everything here is being said with
tons of humor..
you would expect a heavy depressing
atmosphere..
you know, WAR, TORTURE, PAIN..
but no..
the opposite ..
JAMES HAS A STRONG HEALTHY SENSE
OF HUMOR…
amazing, thrilling..

DAVID

I am looking forward to singing a duet with you as we work together on my photo essay(s)! I am honored that you will be “on my case.” Sounds like a privilege to me.

Regarding my having had to miss your workshop, it was hard but I know I made the right decision. My sweetie is still struggling with what he calls “waking the cat”–intensely nasty back pain. He needs me here so here is where I want to be. Besides I would not have started my morning toilette project if I’d been in C’ville.

This is a project I’ve been gestating for years, and it had to be set here at home. For four days now I’ve been taking photos, editing/selecting, adding/deleting to the online essay, trying to tighten it up without losing the flow, receiving/thinking about the MOST HELPFUL responses/suggestions from Anna B, Katharina, Bob B, Lisa, Katia, Laura and Audrey.

Whenever you have time, David, I anticipate hearing your feedback as well. But no rush. Don’t know how you like to do this but my email is croneart@comcast.net and phone is 313-886-0967. Doing it here on the blog is fine too. Whatever is easiest for you. Thanks in advance.

Now enjoy the hell out of your last night at LOOK3!!! And hug our bloggies for me ((( )))

Patricia

HELLO ALL…

this is my final edit of the essay for david’s workshop here in charlottesville…

http://www.cristinafaramo.com/luielei/

the atmosphere and the festival here are really special and intense…

THANK YOU david for all your work with us students and your presence

i liked meeting panos as well :-)

incredible experience!

thank you all for looking at my work, i hope you all like it!

kisses
cristina

David,

the intangible became tangible….not a surprise, this little blog stopped being little months ago and is probably one of the top 5 photography blogs on the web and by miles #1 in terms of how interactive it is and how much content it generates from the bottom up. Its an exciting thing to be a part of.

New report from the warzone…
I have JAMES NEXT TO ME:

Question:
How do avoid becoming a cynic?
after all that you been through?
and.. any positivity or hope?

ANSWER?
Coming soon…

Been out of the loop for a few days, but just logged back in to see that the look3 event went well. Well done David! And thank you for making me a part of it. I would have loved to have been there to see the presentation and meet the folks from this community. Next time I hope! I wait with baited breath for the online version of the show.

James

…james signed my book…. i have a new bible now, and it’s called INFERNO…

just can’t believe that i had the chance to talk to him… shake his hand…

going to bed, leaving tomorrow morning with a heavy heart for missing all the wonderful people here… david up front… hug and kiss to you… yes panos to you too…

c/ville has given me so much, i cannot begin to describe… i guess i will only understand the magnitude and the power of it all in a couple of days…

but my heart is also very LIGHT at the same time, i see now more clearly than ever, the path i have to follow… david made all this happen… we all picked up on his energy… so amazing…

i am broke now, but i will be going to mexico now for a few days… some street photog… trying… finding my way… focusing… with a light heart because i know david and all you here are standing right there behind me…

omg i’m going sentimental :)))))

jim’s fault, his talk and images were so overwhelming…

will post pictures of panos’ shoes, david preaching, jim’s signature and some random party pics asap! but too tired now… gotta sleep…

peace
anton

I’m in the airport..
I was talking with SEAN for the last hour..
he just left for China…..

…..
Tears in my eyes…
Sean.. Yes.. Let’s do this..
we can do this..
we have to..
.. Have a nice flight..

David,

any word on who will be doing the next workshop in Seoul? That should be coming up really soon, right?

ANTON, you’re not going to start singing Kumbaya now, are you? I’m glad you’ve got your batteries recharged down there in Dixie land, but a line has to be drawn somewhere and that whole let’s join hands, form a circle, and annoy the Lord with that stupid tune is it. And remember, circles are totalitarian; just ask Milan Kundera.

PANOS, how do you avoid being a cynic? First, be a pessimist. Cynics are invariably idealists who’ve gotten clubbed across the snout with a 2 x 4 a few times and are now in a deep funk because the world isnt as idealistic as they used to be. Pessimists, on the other hand, who expect nothing but the worst to begin with, are then pleasantly surprised that the worst has not happened, which is, surprisingly enough, more often than most pessimists think. Of course, being a pessimist will not make you popular; nobody loves a downer, but on the other hand, you’ll probably live longer. Remember, it takes just 14 muscles to smile and 72 muscles to frown, so frown a lot and you’ll get a lot more exercise than if you were happy all the time.

Yo peeps…. it was great meeting people from the blog at LOOK3, it was a great time. I did not get to stick around the whole time but enough to get a few pics. Panos did a great job sending out reports, below is a link to some pics from the event.

http://www.jhansonphoto.blogspot.com

DAVID: :))))

THAT DRIVE HAD DAMN WELL BETTER BE TO OSX!!!!!!!!!! ;))))))

enjoy the rest :)))

check u’r email :)))

HAPPY FATHERS DAY AMIGO, FROM ONE FATHER TO ANOTHER! :))

love
b

Sitting in DC airport, anxious to post about the weekend – perhaps later tonight if I make it home in decent time – perhaps in a little while if I’m stuck in the airport.

What a fantastic experience!!

DAVID McG!!!

you in DC airport??? how could i have missed you? i’m coming to look for you now!

anton

Forgot to mention Eric!

You are a lucky man. Such a beautiful family. Have fun the rest of your vacation!

Hey Jonathan! Just read your blog, and you are most welcome, so glad it worked out. As it turned out, I was (and am) sick as a dog so no one would have wanted to be near me anyway — boo hoo right? Thanks to everyone for the reports, I look forward to seeing more photos.

And special thanks to Panos and Anton for making me feel the excitement of being there.

Happy Dad’s Day to all the dads out there, enjoy being celebrated.

Joan

MICHAEL K: )))))))))!!!1

great pics…wow, really love the pic of David (#!) introducing the EPF slideshow :)))))…and the ummmm pic of Nachtwey is awesome :)))…let me tell u amigo, i wish to god I had the control and command of color that you do…when i do (if, if), I’ll make an homage to you, i promise :))))))…i’ve always loved your Wyoming and Great Falls stuff very very much :))))…but, im afraid, you’ll have to be patient, ’cause my foray into color has always been weird ;))…’gonna shoot 1 roll of color too for the Bones of Time project for David…we’ll see if any of it makes the grade ;)))…thanks Michael: cant wait to the eventual/someday meet up…AND aint Panos just a teddy bear! :)))))))…(something i’ve known privately for awhile ;)) )

DAVID MCGOWAN: BRING ON THE PICS! :))))

Hi David, everyone.
Sounds like LOOK 3 was the place to be!! Thanks everyone for providing the running commentary….

I don’t want to hijack the conversation but I thought I’d put a link up for my recent images from the IDP camps in East Timor.

The original idea I talked to David about fell through (the Sister I was to follow had to suddenly go to Australia). This first story is the start of a long term project I will be following in East Timor. I will be returning asap, (& funds allow of course!!).

I will still be editing this selection down, but the first essay and article will be coming out in the Nov issue of Australian Photography.

I will be putting up another link of other images that are not part of the IDP story this week.

I’ve also put up a link to a cockfighting story (not essay) I shot over a couple of afternoons. I wanted to show document the atmosphere without showing the actual fighting. I will be cutting the images back to 6 or 8.Any comments are appreciated.

I’ve pasted the links below where the images can be viewed. The page is a temporary link to view the images before my site goes live. You may have to paste it into a browser for the address to work (or may be able to click the link) as it’s too new for Google to find yet

http://www.rossnolly.com/timor.htm

http://www.lightstalkers.org/galleries/contact_sheet/12635

I spent 3 weeks in Timor and spent nearly every day in the IDP camp opposite the Hotel Timor. In times of conflict (and after), it is usually the women and children who bear the brunt of the resulting living conditions.

My focus evolved into coverage of the way life was affecting the women and children, (especially the younger girls who to me seemed the most affected).

By spending day after day, and many hours at the camp I attempted to become accepted. I wanted to catch the moments when their eyes “spoke” of their sadness.

As you will know everyone attempts to make the best of a bad situation. But when the people began to know and trust me they began to talk and show how they really felt about their life and situation. These were the moments I attempted to catch

My trip also coincided with the repatriation of the people back to their homes. This caused many conflicting emotions, some were happy to return, others had great trepidation about returning.

The images I have taken hopefully reflect their emotions, and the emotions they brought out in me. My work would be classed as “personal documentary” and I can not honestly say it is unbiased; I photographed what I was feeling at the time.

Any critique is welcome.

Cheers everyone.

Lee Guthrie called me from Maui to see if I was going to the festival of the photograph. Amazing to hear from her–we had met three plus years ago at one of David’s workshops in Santa Fe. But time and space don’t seem to limit friendships in the photography world. We had a great time taking in the festival and seeing photographers we knew and putting faces to names–especially some of the members of this community. Totally great to meet Panos (as David said, a “perfect gentleman”), talk to Sean about his project, meet David McGowan and Michael Kircher.
The images were fantastic–the “emerging photographers” series was truly special.
The amount of work we were presented with at the festival over the space of three days is impossible to describe–through live and recorded presentations as well as through gallery showings.
The photographic essays included so many issues and so much beauty and so much pain that I was not only totally inspired but totally exhausted. I agree with Maggie Steber–the world needs to see more photographs. The images stay in our hearts.
Lee and I agreed how much David has given and continues to give. She said she had been to one of his loft workshops, and he had made such a difference for her with his teaching of LISTEN AND FOCUS. Interesting to me because my husband’s medical school training was OBSERVE AND RECORD. Seems very similar. Back home again–grateful for the experience and the memories.
Too long a post–but will make it longer with a quote from former Virgina Mark Warner’s 2008 commencement address at Shenandoah University.. “Now I’ve come to my final piece of advice to you, perhaps the most important lesson I can leave with you today. Call your mother. Call your father. Call your grandparents, girlfriend, boyfriend, husband or wife….I say this because–if you’re going to be honest with yourself–you didn’t get here alone.”
Just read that upon getting home, and it seemed to fit so well with the photographers I had just seen. And the comments from this “family” are part of getting there.

Hello All!

Damn, I hated leaving Charlottesville. Here at the Marriott in Bristol, VA, just over the line from Tennessee. Really missing the fun and excitement of the festival. I can honestly say that there was not one moment, and probably in my sleep as well!, that I didn’t have at least a smile on my face if not a full blown grin and many moments of laughing.

What I loved, aside from meeting all of you and seeing old friends from previous workshops (Rosemary, Mark Bennington, Ralph Lee Hopkins, Andrew, Kelly, Lance and many others), was the ah ha moments in regard to questions I have about conceptual work. I love this kind of learning.

Panos, you are a sweetheart and I am glad to have met you in person. I hope we meet again. Now I know why you posted the words to the Doors song on this blog. Good work.

David, as always, it was good to see you. Loved the opening show you put together and look forward to next year. And did you notice, no David/Lee slideshow? Sorry I missed your party. After driving for three days (1/2 of the day of the first day of the festival, sitting for four hours at the opening day presentations), I was bone tired. Next time. The photos told me enough to know you all had your usual good time party.

Rosemary, so good to spend so much time with you. Looking forward to meeting up with you again and all of you! Damn, I miss Charlottesville!

Lee

ROSEMARY ,
… the sweetest soul and SMILE…
preety classy woman…

LEE GUTHRIE…
When you “hug” Lee, you really dont wanna let go…
so warm…

LINDA O…
beautiful, happy Linda… maybe we can’t save the world but,
you definitely know how to work the iphone…

me and JIM NACHTWEY …from LINDA O’s phone…
Linda … what can i say, but thank you for everything…

http://blog.panosfotografia.com/2008_06_15_archive.html

ok… going to bed , im home, all alone , & LONELY…
stoned and drunk… thinking of EVERYBODY i met….
DELTA lost my luggage…

i had a VALUABLE item i brought with me… gone…
fucking DELTA AIRLINES…

going to bed..
people I PROMISE ALL THAT THIS GONNA BE A “MAJOR” YEAR
FOR OUR DIRECTION… OUR FORUM,
OUR MAGAZINE ON LINE …
which i would love to be able to “TOUCH” soon..
if you know what i mean…
DAVID MCG… i’m with you…
i have so many photos to share… let me create some galleries…
tomorrow coz people want to see better quality than the iphone coverage… but people you have to agree…
that nothing faster than a phone….!

BOB ( & ANNA ), thank you for posting Jim’s live coverage last night…
running…!
overwhelmed…!

wait 10 minutes before you crash, Panos….

Guess at which frame David says “Loosen up, McGowan!”

http://www.humanfiles.com//look3_08/threeamigos.htm

that’s why I love this Panos…. talking craziness non-stop!

Thanks bro.

yeah I think 10 or 11 is the shot

David McG, LOVE THE SEQUENCE!!!! So was David saying loosen up when he wanted a sip of his drink or was it when they all got a little bit silly ????

Patricia

Anton – home safe – sorry I missed you at the airport. We’ll hang out more next time.

http://www.lightstalkers.org/galleries/slideshow/13222

Hey David, and all,

I just sat down and pu together a slideshow of my Home Sweet Home project on Lightstalkers (the mp3 audio isnt working for some reason). Its a 20 photo edit (vs the 9 that were in the Look3 show) so its a bit different. Im trying to edit the 50+ shots I have so far down to something more manageable and LS seems like a good place for doing that (if only the audio worked..any clues as to why it wouldnt?)

sorry to hear about that,sure it wasn’t her mistake, it is just a hard time for journalist and photographer how are working here…

Sounds like a helluva shindig folks. Nice off camera use mr McGowan! I’m a sucker for dragging the shutter and spinning the camera once I’ve got the safe shot.

Cheers all you folks for giving us all a flavour of the festival. I’m looking forward to seeing your new work.

Rafal, great access, great pics, not sure how the nudes fit in, love the baby hand in her hair, cheesy I know. There are perhaps too many shots of kids eye view of Mom/apartment, I’d pick the strongest (and there are real strong ones).

Damn, I need more coffee to work.

Any folks going to Perpignan? If its gonna be 1/8th the party that it looks like look was then I’m so there.

off camera flash use….s’wot I meant…

VEBA :)))

great talking w/u and with Mr. Grownup (that’d be your little man!) last night :))…tell Secret Agent to be careful…and i’ll write u when i read Lazarus..quotable ;)))…

have a safe flight…we’re down for some sarajevo time for sure! :))))…

hugs
love
b

WOW

what an exhausting beautiful blessing of an experience..

I gave no idea how some of you managed to post..I think I only slept 3 hours each night as it was.

So many names, faces, hearts; I wish I could have met all of you…

Thank you DAVID and MICHAEL, tho we hardly spoke, for all your gracious exacting hard work to make the visuals soar on that mega screen. The beauty of every image projected came through and represented us to the world outside this blog..I will do all I can to continue to be a part of this mystical DAHland creative force, to show anyone watching the real and concrete results of being part of David’s reach. Thank you..

TO Everyone I had a chance to see and spend time with..THANK YOU for the sushi, the hugs, the dialogue, the camaraderie and kinship, the permission to be a smart ass, the support, the excitement, and for making me feel very much as if I have found a real family. Thank you for the memories and the beginnings, and thank you and a big kiss for keeping me up way past my bedtime. I’ll be reeling from that for awhile to come, but every precious moment will stay with me..

To all the photographers whose work we saw and whose words we heard over these few days..thank you for the inspiration and the ideas and the tears and for reminding me that we are, at large, not just concerned photographers, but creatures of compassion and light.

I can’t wait for next year..

OH!

and a huge THANK YOU to Andrew and Nick and Jessica and Brian and the volunteers for making this real!

Rafal, I am deeply moved by your current selection of images for Home Sweet Home. I’d have a hard time editing it down myself. Your choice to include ALL aspects of your life from big-eyed boy to beautiful nude wife to wise old grandma to you playing with your family on the floor is what moves this work beyond any family album I’ve ever seen. And now I see a book-in-the-making. Bravo to you and your family for sharing your lives so generously!!! Keep going…

Patricia,

thanks…as it grows I find it easier to edit in that Im getting a wider variety of shots, wider variety of life captured and Im also trying to think of things like still lifes with a strong emotional charge…this is the exciting thing I find about shooting a project, how it gets a momentum of its own and how it shapes itself…one of the first things I found was that I sort of went in one direction aesthetically (harsh flash and high contrast)…now Im starting to think more in terms of content too…

book…well maybe…that would be a dream for sure as one of the things I want to do is to be able to give this to my son when he is old enough to understand it..be that as just an album or as a book…

Eventually I really need to also get to Poland and shoot MY side of the family, especially as both my grandmothers are really old as is my grandfather and also the US and really balance this out as a whole portrait of a family that spans 3 continents.