I’ve just about wrapped up my basement project and am about to reclaim my darkroom from the storage facility it became. All that terrible classic rock music I had to endure with my neighbor during the project has yet to fade from my memory … like a bad dream that won’t go away, or an adolescent zit that kept growing. As I wrote before this stuff has not aged well at all, and for good reason … it was weak, over wrought and/or bombastic to begin with and has certainly not improved with time!
I’m trying to move on, but while I was cleaning up the other day I started thinking about my recent entries regarding kitsch and photography and how not to be derivative. Then when I was on my morning walk it all came together.
When something is good it will stand the time!
Duh.
Some things are a hit right off the bat and continue to stand the test of time because they are truly great. But often things that were not widely accepted when first introduced grow to be appreciated because of the fine work and originality they represent. As with the case of bad classic rock, bad photography does not. Both hang around like a bad odor that just won’t go away.
So what does this mean? Not completely sure, other than people have questionable taste in everything from politicians to culture to art. Can’t help that. Ok, so what do we do as photographers trying to make work that will stand the test of time? I think the only thing we can do is to make well-seen pictures that are personal and come from the heart. They should clearly say something or tell a story, either individually or as part of a group. If not why bother? I also think that carefully seen and well thought out pictures, not made as part of barrage of hundreds produced over an hour or so using the latest digital camera and later doctored by Photoshop have a much better chance for immediate and long-term greatness.
Think hard, see well, make it from the heart, and don’t worry about what others think … it’s your picture … and it will stand the test of time.
Stay well,
Michael
Hi, Michael. I am now the proud owner of one of your fantastic B&W photos — “GMC Pickup – Janet Jackson”, from 2001. I fell in love with its unvarnished beauty and the naked honesty of the old workhorse. I can almost feel the grit from the sand carried by the wind coming off the tortured rolling hills in the background, the wind and the truck singing a song of good times that will never return. I loved the play of light on the truck and the surrounding hills, like there are hidden stories left to tell.
I was wondering whether the truck’s name was Janet Jackson?
Because of the label on the back, I discovered your website, which will take me a while to navigate. I already found some photos to love.
I’m in Seattle now, but for many years I knocked around Philadelphia and environs. When I needed to get away, I’d go hide in the Poconos. I’ll be leaving here in 2-3 years, maybe headed for Wyoming. Much like you, I need some open country and room to breathe.
Best regards,
Idalie
Idalie,
Wonderful to hear from you! I am so glad you found my little corner of the Internet! That having been said, I am not the photographer who made the picture you own. I’m sure it is a wonderful image but it wasn’t made by me! I do hope now that you found me that you stick around.
Best wishes,
Michael