Tripping on Asphalt
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It feels great to be back just in time for so many of my favorite things: New beginnings. Fall in New England and New York City. Pulling out the hand-knit fashions. Cozy evenings on the couch. Jack-o-lanterns, pumpkins and all manner of root vegetables. The scent of roasts and meals lovingly executed in Le Creuset. Decorating and re-decorating. And never too much knitting.
The last couple of months have included tons of exciting events with our friends and family. Baby showers, bridal showers, births, birthdays, and a wedding/honeymoon to name a few. The result is that I’ve added literally thousands of photographs to my hard drive. Thousands of massive RAW files. Just taking up space with no purpose. The thought of organizing, distibuting, displaying and archiving these memories seems daunting even to me as a professional. Actually, it’s making me a little nauseous.
The thing is, I just don’t have a workflow for personal photos. There, I said it. Shame! And truthfully, they get lost on the computer after I edit a mere few and get them out to key people. Sometimes I’ll print one for the wall, or a stray might even make it on this very blog. But most are just lost in the morass. Lost little lambs… *sigh* I mean, lost, huge, hard-drive eating lambs. Inspiring guilt and shame. Did I mention the guilt? And the shame?
So what to do? What to do… We are definitely at a crossroad for digital media. The possibilities are seemingly (and overwhelmingly) endless. I can print pictures and make an album old skool with Photographic Solutions and Target. Or I can make a snazy photo book online at Blurb. But now that I have an iPhone and iPad, you can see my photos in a slideshow that my devices produce pretty randomly if I dump everything in an album (post editing of course. not that I’ve managed to get to that. did you read where I wrote thousands? seriously. thousands.). Or I could design a more impressive slideshow (criminally) easily and add some cool soundtrack using Animoto.
*sigh* Today, one of my colleagues suggested I treat myself as a Client. Block out chunks on the calendar to get my own shit done. And develop a workflow that suits my own needs. Ummm. You mean my stuff doesn’t just happen magically? I have to make appointments with myself?! Oh, how horrible. And how simple.
It’s actually not as simple as it sounds. First, I don’t pay myself. In actual money. And the joy of having organized and jealousy inspiring multimedia albums doesn’t the rent pay. Neither does sending Chewie out with a tin cup, though Lord knows, I’ve tried. Worse is the indecision. I look at Client photos and I know immediately what’s good and what has to go. I know in my gut and I could explain it rationally in a classroom. But when it comes to my vacation photos, I can’t remove myself from the equation. It’s like how Interior Designers often need to hire other Interior Designers to plan their homes. Histrionics, ego, angst, perfectionism? Call it what you will. But I’m determined, and all I want is my own damn album.
So what do you do with your personal photos?
Are we concerned that cemeteries and abandoned buildings talk to me? I’m not, so don’t worry your pretty head. Just enjoy my favorite shot of the day.
It’s incredible what the iPhone can do. Not just the iPhone I suppose. I don’t even carry a point-and-shoot any more. Seems silly.
This isn’t the most inspiring picture for me. But I can’t get over that this guy fought in the Revolutionary War and to this day, is still recognized by the living, as a Son of the American Revolution. Somebody put that flag there way before Memorial Day.
This next one is another favorite, and my apologies if you’ve already seen it on Facebook. If you haven’t, maybe you’ll consider hitting the ‘like’ button on my Facebook page. {*cough* shameless plug *cough} There’s a handy link. Over there. On the left. And up a ways.
I’ve just read the Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. I highly recommend it. As my mind and I wandered, Nobody Owens and those who reared him were definitely lurking around corners.
My favorite season by far. Evidence enough.
There’s so much going on over here that it’s been tough to find the time to share it. Today it’s snowing for the first time (so early!). This weekend I broke out the crock pot for some coq au vin (thanks T), knit a couple of holiday gifts, started the Harry Potter movies with Year 1, and lit some candles. It’s definitely starting to feel (and smell) like the holidays. Warm and cozy. I’m getting in the mood for friends and family, food and curling up on the couch with a furry blanket, a good book and a puppy or two.
This past Saturday night we also had a blast at a cocktail party celebrating the opening of the new space for The Dance Collective. Everyone was smiling and in full party mode because we are so proud to be a part of this growing collective that has changed all our lives. And we are thrilled for the well-deserved success of Amanda and Enrique. For me, and Sequined Asphault, their opening week meant a couple of other exciting moments. A newly updated web site that I set live last Friday night after their last class was taught at the old studio. And the delivery of 5 (so far) humongous, fine art prints to decorate their modern, airy and bright, brand new dream studio. I won’t lie, it’s been very exciting to see those prints go up over the course of the week.
As I revisit past photographs, I am finding common threads that carry through my work. Somehow, I keep coming back to this particular urban landscape. Though I spent days with my camera(s) in hand, this quick shot with a point and shoot is by far my favorite image of the trip. Thanks to Dr Kiang for inviting me to experience New Orleans with her. I’m suddenly quite parched – I think I’d better go fix myself a brandy milk punch.
I totally found this photo because of all the coming attractions for Swamp People that they are playing during my new favorite show, American Pickers on the History Channel. DUG says he has absolutely no interest in seeing it. But, come on! Swamp people! People who live in swamps! With no teeth. And alligators. It’s other worldly, no? Fascinating I tell you. Hey, don’t roll your eyes at me – I couldn’t survive on the bayou and you couldn’t either.
Some shots from a recent project I’m working through for a series and new fine art site. Stay tuned…
So after sitting at the facility in Stratford (CT 95 Exit 30) for 3 days, FedEx finally got the memo from Apple to re-route my new iPhone4 to Norwalk (CT 95 Exit 15) – because, you know, the pick up facility is only open from 9am-6pm, and many working human beings can not get there during ‘normal business hours’ because, hey, they are involved in ‘normal business’.
Right now my phone is in a FedEx facility in NEWARK NJ because, of course, THE CLEAREST ROUTE TO SOUTH NORWALK, CONNECTICUT FROM A TOWN 15 MILES AWAY IS VIA THE GARDEN STATE.
Let’s you and I not discuss the possibility that when I actually receive the phone, I may have to make calls while contorted like a pretzel in order to achieve optimal reception.
