A couple of weeks ago I wrote about staying safe and staying in touch. Now I want to say a few words about staying safe and keep your head in the game. As horrible as the Covid-19 crisis is, we have to search for the silver linings that are presented by it. In my previous entry I discussed using the free time we have to maintain the important personal relationships we share, including those related to our photographic lives. But there is much more we can do to continue Living a Photographic Life. I written about this before, but now more than ever we must not squander the time we have been given. What we have to do is keep our heads in the game and be a little bit more creative then we’ve been before!
In my case, I mainly make photographs of people out and about living their daily lives. Where I live we have been in lockdown for several weeks now, with no end in sight so scratch that off the list. Even if I found some people walking around I wouldn’t be able to get close enough to make the types of photographs I like. You might have similar issues you are facing. So what to do? In short, I/we have to keep out our heads in the game. It’s a theme I have also written about before, but it is now more important than ever!
First, explore new ideas to make photographs in any safe way you can. Don’t feel you have to travel far or even leave your house. Come to the realization that there is so much around you that is interesting if you are only open to it. What else can you do? Here’s a list of neat ideas I’ve discussed before and you won’t need to worry about social distancing!
- If you have a darkroom develop your film that has been sitting around and make proof sheets.
- Carefully examine your proof sheets and make prints of only the best images.
- Go through your old proof sheets and make images of keepers you somehow missed. You might just be surprised at what you find and what you produce!
- Read books about photographers.
- Study monographs you own of your favorite photographers
- Learn about photographers you aren’t familiar with online and buy some monographs via Amazon, online used bookstores, or eBay.
- Utilize the Internet for interesting and useful forums, blogs and websites for good ideas.
- Visit museums and galleries online for virtual photographic and painting exhibits.
- Take a photographic workshop remotely with someone you respect that is supportive and will help you. There are also video tutorials that can be purchased and don’t forget about youtube.
What is important is that I/you keep trying to learn, be productive and to continue living a photographic life. Do whatever it takes! Everyone is different. I will do whatever I have to do to keep my head in the game. Do whatever works for you to keep your head in the game to keep your photographic spark alive. Don’t not squander this opportunity we have been given!
Stay safe,
Michael