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Monday, Mar 7th, 2005 - 11:42PM




I believe the mark of a truly talented photographer is that magical and mysterious X factor expressed over and over in every shot they take, whether conscious or unconscious. It's what haunts me whenever I think of a photograph I admire.

So here’s the question of the day.

Do you think you’re drawn to the work of certain photographers because their X factor speaks to you on a deeper level than you might consciously realize? Who are the photographers who inspire you? And why do you think that's so?

When I began toy camera photography (one year ago next week), I was haunted by the work of Keith Carter, Nancy Rexroth and Don Brice. Still am. That inspired me to shoot toys. What's my point? I have no idea except to say those influences led me on a different, unexpected photographic journey.

For the past six months, I’ve been haunted by Rocky Schenk's work. Does that mean I’m trying to access something in my photography his work represents to me? Is there a lesson in his work that's going to take me to another level? Or maybe it's merely that I can't get enough of all that glorious blur and grain? Love that blur and grain. Makes me all tingly inside. But now I'm off track.

The mental gymnastics I've been experiencing are probably just byproducts of a post-NYC funk that's making me overthink and contemplate small questions like who I am as a photographer. You know... One of those little questions in life that leaves you lying in bed and staring at the ceiling all night? That was me last night. And the night before.

Despite the fact that I look like a charter member of the walking dead, I think grappling with these hard to answer questions is a good thing. I can only hope another piece of my personal photographic puzzle is on it's way. Not sure what it is....But bring it on.

I'm way behind in my scanning. So here’s a something I shot while taking my dog and my QL17 out for a walk on a rainy day in Santa Monica. It’s not a great shot. Just something I had on my computer which represents all that mystifying photographic pondering I’m doing at the moment.



Posted by Susan B.
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