This year was a big year for me. As it comes to an end, I feel like I am more than ever aware and in control of my priorities. I’ve restructured the way I’ve thought about getting things done, and as a result, some projects have taken a back seat. I didn’t intentionally mean for this blog to die down, but it has for the last few months. Behind the scenes, I’ve been coming up with new content and a new direction for Digressions.
In the Fall I spoke at Columbia College in Chicago about my work and what I’ve learned in the two years since I’ve graduated from art school. I spent 2 hours telling students all the things nobody told me when I was in school. I can’t avoid this cliche, but my education as an artist (both professional and intellectual) really started once I was out of school. I want to focus on creating content for the blog that is aimed at providing practical advice to emerging artists. Advice that is not riddled with the abstract absolutism that usually makes me roll my eyes.
Above is a picture from a crit group I hosted at my house the other night. The internet has largely defined any external validation I’ve felt from being a photographer, but it’s important to print your shit out, put it on a wall, and use words to describe what and how you are seeing.
So start a crit group.
I’ve been overwhelmed with editing new work and managing the new collaborative effort I’m a part of. This is the main reason the blog has taken a back seat, but I will soon be posting new images from the two projects I’m working on right now.
Robin in Cheshire, Ohio
I went to Ohio at the end of summer to continue exploring a region of the country largely defined by the coal industry. I’ll be writing extensively about the work in the coming months.
Chicago’s Southside
Dreamboats Collective is launching a “features” section, with each photographer interpreting a theme. Right now we are working on “food,” and I’m photographing food deserts in Chicago.
I’m headed out the door to go to Germany with Adam Golfer for the next 2 weeks.
Happy holidays.
Comments 2
Very interesting post Daniel. I am happy to see that “starting a crit group” is something useful, I thought about starting on about 5 months back but never did. Now I know that it’s a good idea to do so.
Are there any other advices you could give on becoming a more useful photographer? ( I don’t go to college)
Posted 07 Jan 2010 at 6:52 pm ¶Rob, I plan on posting more about this in the coming months.
Crit groups are great.
Posted 12 Jan 2010 at 3:25 pm ¶Post a Comment