Random Wandering Thoughts...Is Photography Dead?

Just another random break between runs where I get in the mood to blog. Lately I have become bored and frustrated with my photography work. The new technology is soo easy to learn that I feel like sometimes that taking photos with it is just like shooting fish in a barrel. It is like ok take a picture of this flower, wear this dress with this hair, blah blah blah... I really started to feel the way about it the way Andy Warhol felt about Painting in the 80s. I have tried new lenses, different glass filters and have made a few of my own. Nothing was jumping out at me until I picked up a Mamiya 945 1000s Medium format camera. Maybe the Hipsters were right. Maybe I really needed to get back to basics and let those fish swim out to sea. Technology does level the playing field. If you are a bad or inexperianced artist, get a really good camera, great software, filters etc and you to can be the next up and coming super star of photography. That is not my cup of tea. I just want to make art that is worth making and to hell with the masses. I dont make a lot of money at and really don't give a shit. I am happy when my work is appreciated, but don't base my self-esteem on it. If that were the case I would have slit my throat after the past couple years on Etsy...Have you seen my numbers lately, just plain abysmal. Back to my original rambling point: I am bored! Like I mentioned above, going back to analog has been the greatest adventure. It was meant to happen in that after I told people about my foray back into the dark ages, friends etc couldn't have been more supportive: here take this old camera stuff off my hands etc. Sadly I was also given my fellow roomate and photographer's cameras and stuff after she passed away. Rest in Peace Erika, your stuff is well loved and appreciated. So this seemed to be the sign that I am heading in the right direction for me. I still shoot digital of course, but my renewed love is getting into the nitty gritty of film at the medium format level. Also, I really want to thank this excellent guy I dated. He introduced me to medium format by letting me shoot with his Hasselblad back in school for a class project. Kenn really blew my mind with that camera and was I terribly sad when I found out years later that he sold it. So with mad determination I sent off a roll of 120 film to this lab in California. Still need to pick up supplies as I turn my bathroom into an old fashioned lab. My brain can still recall that specific photo chemistry cocktail that I loved so much! For the momemt I will send it off util it is ready. The only moderen techonlogical advance that I will be using is scanning the negatives. So stay tuned for my future posts... Cheers, Stacy

Photography Should Be Accessible To Everyone!

Projects seem slow going for me at the moment. Google Glass has been fairly unreceptive. Looking to new avenues for this project. Have found an interesting piece of software called VCamera. This app will create images based on voice commands:

How cool is that. It is not as expensive as the google glass nor as high tech, but I believe at 99 Cents for the app and a 200 dollars for the iPod or iPhone this has possibilities. So I am going to change the project and drop the glass in favor of this new voice activated technology. It does bother me that there will be some people who cannot participate because of speech, but am working on a cable release solution for that. So I will refine the initial proposal and present it to some folks and see if there is funding availavailable. Basically I am looking at getting: 10 iphones, 10 VCamera Apps, 10 stands or holders for the phones,  and atleast 5 cable realeses. I wonder if Apple would loan us the technology? Any ideas? I really want this project to go through for the people at West Kentucky Easter Seals. Photography should be for everyone, wouldn't you agree?! 

What Do You Really Need?

The new year is here once again and I am reminded that I keep acquiring stuff or kits for my various interests.  How often have I gotten involved in an activity, having to purchase all the needed gear and then some...over the years I have developed many interests and hobbies, but lack the space the keep all my gear handy. It was a good thing that I let go of my snow ski gear. Living in the south, I rarely travel  so my snow adventures have been curtailed. Oh and then there is a treasure chest full of belly dancing gear. When I started having problems with my joints, that all literally came to a grinding halt. My dear guitar covered in dust has been sitting there for three years, untouched. Portfolios of art are all over the place along with framed work from shows past. Tons of art supplies, brushes, and a very large easel, I no longer paint on canvas anymore. Years of sketchbooks from childhood on litter my two very full desks. Collections of cameras and photography gear take up the majority of the space as well. There are many books and book shelves to. I certainly don't need all of this stuff, but I have memories associated with it all. 

My plan for the new years is to re-evaluate all my gear and downsize. This idea comes from a once little girl that wanted to pack light, live in her car, and travel the world...I missed my calling as an over the road truck driver...it would have saved me a ton of money! Has the digital age had any effect on how you perceive want vs. need of stuff?  What kits are you keeping in your life? leave me your answers in the comment section.

Cheers,

Stacy Frett