Welcome to Week 17 of this humble installment of my photographic journey throughout this craft. I wanted to give a very warm thanks to all the usual readers of this blog who’s comments and insights I value and all new readers. Sketches of Life
“You’re stuck with me forever, Michie, get used to it. It’s the ties that bind, darlin’, the ties that bind.” — Jim Marshall Has it ever happened to you. You’re staring at one of your images and you absolutely fall in love with it. You feel you’ve captured that idyllic moment in just one click. Well, this is one of those frames for me. Confession, I’m a fan of the Leica M camera system despite the fact that I don’t yet own one. I recently gave away and sold all my cameras because I just wanted to get to know one intimately — I chose the GF1 for its many attributes and its versatility. I know it may sound kind of bizarre, gave & sold, but I believe its important to establish a deep connection to your photographic gear. All cameras are able to take pictures but no camera makes pictures — only togs do. Relatedly, I recently became aware of the late famous Leica photographer, Jim Marshall, the rock n roll photographer to such …
Following the path of weekly photography is certainly quite a little task and I mean it in a fun and jovial way. It may not seem like much but it is, its certainly a task that needs to be completed. Images taken, previewed, chosen, and processed. This week I returned back to the LX3 it just felt right [I didn’t really feel like lugging around the 30D and that’s another post I’m writing up and I’ll save for mid week]. Some argue or expose that higher IQ is the only way to go. I had a phone conversation with my little brother [he’s 33yrs old] about vision and the importance of that vision in ones photographic journey.
A typical vice of American politics is the avoidance of saying anything real on real issues. ― Theodore Roosevelt Economic adversity has risen to unparalleled levels for our current generation. The American dream seems to be further away to a larger segment of our population. Let’s keep our voices united and help those who have less. This is the story of Margaret, an American woman, who had lost her job on a factory who moved abroad for cheaper labor. Its a two part story because I first photographed her without her even noticing, but then I bumped into her as I progressed through my photo walk that afternoon and I felt compelled to approach her. A very sad story indeed and one that almost seems could have been avoided. I’m sure we all know or know of people in similar circumstances all over America. 2012 American politics is here, let’s see what we’re going to do.
Black and White photography has always had a special place in my heart and I always gravitate to it back and forth. Going back to your Roots It’s not that one type of processing is better than another [b&w vs color] but for me it goes by moods. This week was particularly hard to complete as getting inspired was very difficult. I feel like I still have a lot to learn in my image creating process. Doubts are always looming on my mind and I ask myself questions like “Should I share this image? Should I process this image?” and so forth. In the end, I just go with what feels right and how my week developed.
I’m staying a few days over at parents house while Isabel is away visiting her parents and my mother all of a sudden started bringing out old albums .I think I’m going to dedicate a portfolio page. I’m not sure what I’ll call it yet but its coming for sure.
I can’t believe I’ve managed to maintain this weekly photographic flow for what it seems so long already. Its already the fourthteenth week and we’re still going strong with no end in the mind. Emptiness Beginning with a new camera is always a bit of a daunting task. There are the new menus, new buttons, new options, new custom settings and all in all, its like starting a new relationship with a person and can sometimes begin a little rough. But like anything else in life, things get better. I go with what I know and build from there. So far, I’m loving this new transition, but as I mentioned to my friend, the little Black & White bug is already biting me and begging to look that way. So don’t be surprised next week installments is back to high contrast, street, abstract, and whatever.
Sueño mío, adorada mía, sabes donde vas? Vas hacia mí. Adonde vayas, andes, vueles, corres, vas andando, volando, corriendo hacia mí. ─ Pablo Neruda
Ledesma Photography 