The thing is - as I'm going through all this negative scanning - I'm starting to analyze what I was doing and why. Why did I like a particular angle. I see framing patterns forming across all the photos. The "overview" perspective is all over the place, going back to when I was 15 years old.
Then, I notice that I seem to like shots where almost nothing is happening.
A train is coming into the station - what am I thinking? Why do I care? But the train is pulling in slowly - and it won't be blurred - and there's a guy looking out the window in the front car. I used to do that all the time. Favorite car: first car with a good clean window.
But at one point to shoot? I want to cram the view of Burnside Avenue in. But I want some decent angle on the guy at the window... click.
I'm looking at negatives going back 30 years or more. I don't see much difference in terms of subject matter, framing, or ideas. The only thing that changed was technique - but not ideas.
This morning I had the car for a while. I started the engine without knowing where I was headed.
So where do I end up? The Bronx. Grand Concourse. Hey, they actually opened the Paradise Theater again. Cool. But what an ugly paint job they did on it. The colors are awful.
But there I go like a salmon to the Grand Concourse.
I afraid I'm doomed (or blessed, depending on my mood) to shoot the past over and over.
Apartment 1E, 2004
1 comment:
Sounds like you're in need of some change. Although I have a few ideas how you could change I think you probably could come up with some too. And the change doesn't necessarily have to be permanent. Just deviating from the normal for a week or two or even a month and then come can generate new ideas.
I have a composition book that actually has lessons inside to help build composition skills but for me it also has generated ideas as well as improving my technique.
I don't mean to step on your toes, but I think one of the sources for your repetition is the fact you have specialized your work.
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