I have a serious problem. My wife is a wonderful cook! You would think that after almost 40 years of marriage I would know better, but I never learn. Everything is made from scratch; right down to the three pies she made this year. Usually there are four pies, but we weren’t able to find any rhubarb to make the strawberry rhubarb. Won’t make that mistake next year … get the rhubarb this coming summer and freeze it. Then we will be set in November.

I was saying I never learn. The problem is with all that great food … the stuffing is my favorite … I have to try everything … usually several times. It happens every year. My son-in-law’s mother asked how I stay so thin; being married to my lovely wife, the wonderful cook. 30 miles of serious walking per week and good genes I guess.

So I made a toast like I always do after we sit down to eat. This time it was a little longer than normal. I wanted to speak about being thankful on several levels. I ended with the thought that while there are many problems we face I don’t want to think in terms of problems anymore. Rather I wish to think about solutions.

So what does this have to do with photography in general and black and white film photography and darkroom work in particular? After everyone left I started to think about that as I was drying the dishes.

First of all, I am thankful to live in America and enjoy the freedom I have. I do my best to try not to take that for granted and I think about it on Thanksgiving. On another level, I am grateful for the life I have had thus far. I’ve lived it on my own terms and hope to be able to continue to do so. I’ve had a nice professional career and yet I’ve made the time for a creative outlet that is just as important to me and has given me so much enjoyment. Drilling down another level, I am also thankful that the tools I get so much pleasure from. They are still available and in some cases better than ever, despite all things digital.

But back to the issue of problems and solutions … focusing on our individual lives, it seems most people are not all that happy. Anxiety, stress, frustration of one kind or another seems to be a constant. I think we can find a lot of this when it comes to our photography. Think about it. I never have time. I don’t have the right camera(s). I don’t have the right lens(s). I ran out of film. I ran out of paper. I ran out of chemicals. I’m too tired. I can’t come up with a new idea. I can’t get motivated.

These are all problems. Don’t worry, I know about most of them. Now it’s time to forget about them!  Just stop thinking about them as the cause of your inactivity. Rather, start thinking about solutions!

Get out a legal pad (for those that still enjoy the pleasure of writing on paper) and start making a plan … what are the steps necessary to go forward in your photographic life — from the tactical to the strategic. Buy film. Buy chemicals. Buy paper. Take advantage of the strengths of the equipment you own.  But if your gear is not right for the work you want to do then get rid of it and buy the right tool(s) for the job. Plan a project or two. Independent of the project(s), start taking pictures because it is what you should be doing if you are a photographer. Develop your film, make your proof sheet and print the keepers.

That’s a pretty good list for starters. Now go do it.

That’s a solution!