I'm feeling a bit apprehensive and frustrated these days. Photographically speaking, that is. I'm to the point where I'm seriously considering shutting off my computer, canceling my photography magazine subscriptions, tearing up my art museum / institute membership cards - and becoming a photo hermit - just me and a camera - some film - process on my own - and lock myself in the darkroom. No outside influences. No viewing the same boring imagery, over and over again. It seems to me all I see these days are copycat photographers. Why does everything look like Crewdson or Sultan or Soth - or that weird eastern Euro / Russian look? Why oh Why?

The ongoing mantra seems to be, "HEY! That's a cool idea, let's everyone copy it to death - until it's worn and tired" - instead of coming up with a unique idea (yes I know, it's all been done before - so they say) - or at least experimenting on one's own.

Maybe it's just me - probably is - maybe it's because I'm just getting old and realizing that maybe to do the work I long to do will have to wait until the next life. Maybe I just don't get it - and never will...

Listening to: Take A Picture - Filter

Best of Photojournalism 2008