Inspiration

Two nights ago, I was in the darkroom again for the first time in quite awhile. Too long in fact. I was making a print for another photographer, and having to recall old skills and tricks to not only make the print breathe, but also to make it breathe the way he wanted it to, was harder then I remember. But like a bicycle, it all came back to me and soon enough we had our print, both he and I satisfied.

I was thinking on the way home from the printing, about printing and what and why I love it so much. Too much to list here, but I have posted three images from photographer Aaron Siskind, who was a early inspiration to me. I had seen a show of his work in Boston, without knowing who he was or what kind of work he made. The images resonated with me and to this day I can remember thinking in the gallery, that I wanted to make pictures that looked like this.

At the time I was in my second year of photo school and still trying to figure a lot of things out. Seeing these images not only gave me a frame of reference for what a picture could look like, but it also freed my mind up about what a picture can be. It can be simple and still convey emotions and feelings as good as any poem or portrait or great piece of music. I think over the next few days I will post more of my printing and photo hero's, it will be a good way for me to remember why all of this is so damn important to me anyway!

Thanks...

"Jerome 21 1949"
"New York 1 1947"
"Gloucester 1 1944"

All images copyright The Aaron Siskind Foundation