CLICK HERE to see my new "The Children of Spring" gallery.
Has it really only been eight days since I last posted here? It feels like a lifetime. And yes, I missed you, my dear worldwide friends. But I didn't miss the pressure I'd put on myself to keep this PaD going day after day. And I didn't miss all the time I used to spend checking in to see if there were any new comments. What I found during these eight days was that I spent less time on the computer and more time out taking pictures. I know, I know. I'd said I was going to lie fallow for awhile but that lasted two days. Then I came up with a new idea for a series and I was out every day on photo shoots. The series didn't develop as I'd hoped, but I learned a lot about myself in the process.
I learned that taking anonymous street shots is not my thing. I want to make connections with the people I photograph. I also want them to know I'll be posting their photos online. I found that if I ask, people are inclined to say yes. I learned that simply highlighting social and economic inequalities isn't specific enough a purpose for a photographic project. There needs to be a more positive benefit to the community, something that can move things forward rather than perpetuate stereotypes. Of course, all of these learnings are my own. Other photographers would likely have a different take on it. Each of us has our own way of seeing things. There is no arbitrary right or wrong. What is important, though, is to listen to your inner voice, the one that says, "This feels right, but that doesn't."
The gallery of photos I've just put up are of children who knew I was photographing them and whose permission--or their parent's permission--I'd asked for and received. The only exceptions are the photos of a Little League game and of the father and daughter walking on the wooded path, but since no one is identifiable, I feel fine about posting them. Some of these photos were taken with my original series in mind, but when I realized these were my favorite images of the whole lot, I dropped my original idea and decided to focus exclusively on children. I call the gallery, "The Children of Spring," and you can CLICK HERE to see it.
I want to thank everyone who posted a comment or sent me a message wishing me well during my time away. I felt your good energy and believe you helped keep me on track. I will be doing things a bit differently from now on. I will be posting images and blog entries here on my PaD only when I have something to show and/or say. So don't get worried if I'm not a daily poster. Life's too short to set up unnecessary stresses. I want to continue spending more time taking pictures and less time on the computer. Isn't that what it's all about?
