Something that I’ve been struggling with since I’ve started shooting Polaroid is the decision to digitally alter the images after scanning. If I’m bumping tonal range and filtering the imperfections, how is that any better than people turning digital shots into faux-polaroids and holga shots? I haven’t come up with a definitive answer to my dilemma, other than “I can do whatever the hell I want to.” This will have to do for the time being, because it isn’t like I’ve shot any masterpieces that this decision really becomes critical with. Having said all that, below is the extent I’d probably be altering anything in the future. The results are rather subtle, so I’m anticipating people looking, shrugging and moving on.

With Iceland in the news lately it made me wonder: When I was there, 10 years ago, did I get close to that volcano that is erupting currently? Not really. But this photo was taken about 40 km south, south east of there, pointing in the wrong direction.

Oh, and I guess I did wonk in her ear a bit.

I’m now posting iPhone pictures on my Tumblr account. I’ve started using Photo FX and Cool FX by the amazing Tiffen to edit my on-the-go photos; and I’ve been liking the results. If you want to stay updated, follow my Tumblr, Twitter, or check the Tumblr sidebar on the main page.

What a dreary day. Perfect for listening to Dark Night of the Soul,
the doomed David Lynch/Sparklehorse and friends project.

My self portrait for the Avenue contributors page. Yeah, I thought I’d keep the lint and zits. I have no specific contribution this month, not even a teeny photo as I sometimes do. Well, besides this one. I guess my blood and tears are enough to warrant a mention this month.

While I’m not one for overly saccharine sentiments, I’m wishing all of you a Happy New Year. 2008 was a mixed bag of highs and lows and I’m glad to see it go. I’ve made new friends who I hope will continue to remain so for a long time, and I had friends both old and new depart, both gradually and suddenly.

My favourite thing about 2008 was a personal realization that I can do the work that I’ve always wanted to do, enjoy it, get paid for it, and learn more about it. I might have started late in life, at least in a professional sense, but I’m doing it.

My least favourite thing was learning about how easily I can break my own heart, and how complicated we can make our relationships with the ones we supposedly care the most about. I won’t explain further. Those that need to know can guess what I’m talking about, and those that don’t — you can take that however you want.

To 2009.

Wow, I’m glad I installed Google Analytics on the site. More people look at this blog than I thought. Not crazy huge numbers, but enough that now I know that doing this isn’t a lesson in futility.

Yet another fisheye. Mostly because I haven’t shot anything since that day really, and I want to keep the viewing momentum up.

I rented a fisheye for a project I’ll discuss here soon. This photo was made with it, but not for the project. I wasn’t sure I’d find it useful, but I guess I can get good results with the right subject.

To this photo.

Which has 140 views as of this writing.

Shows that either I have poor taste in even my own photos, or I have goals not in line with pleasing the hoi-polloi.

Obviously I’d rather think the latter, so I’ll leave it at that.