I hope everyone had an enjoyable Fourth of July weekend and celebrated it in a responsible manner. I spent most of it in my darkroom, which is a great Covid-free environment! Given the holiday and what we are facing as a nation I also tried to think about what is good about America rather than what divides us. The weekend was the culmination of a stretch of days spent jamming darkroom time in between work and other activities to complete printing of a project that has become very important to me. Two hours here, three hours there and most of two Saturdays and a Sunday. I usually don’t work this way but it was time to get things done. Now of course I have to tone the prints, then mount and mat them. Then up and onto this website.

Many of the photographs are different than what I normally make but I hope they will tell a story that means something to me. Look, sometimes we have to change it up and do something different. In my case Covid has kept me from making the types of candid pictures I enjoy making, but that’s all right. For many a change can be all that’s necessary to keep the interest up when it flags. It can also challenge us and helps us grow as photographers.  I recommend it!

Here’s another thing. For all the pictures I made I only used one camera and lens. That right, and it was intentional! Simple, and it forces you to concentrate as much as possible on the task at hand without other distractions that can be caused by having options. This worked for me and I recommend trying it sometime. You might be surprised with the results!

During this difficult period I have been very active in terms of my photography and it has been a truly wonderful time, if only for that.  I’m not sure where all this will take me, but I’m grateful for the time I’ve have used wisely and for what I’ve done.

Stay safe,

Michael