I've been to this wall lots, and with my camera. I did a series of shots about two years ago and many of the images remain among my favorites. The textures of industrial concrete and the decay of mold and moss - it represents my familiar fascination with visual irony and serendipity. So here I am, back again at the wall, camera in hand, seeing what there is to see.
I've noticed a tendency to shoot "interesting" subjects, which sometimes (often?) means the framing is unusual and highlights some otherwise obscure aspect of the subject. That's fine, no problem so far.
When shooting isn't coming easy to me, which is often actually, I tend to fall back on technique, doing what I've done before - hey, it worked, right? Why not try it again, now, when I'm otherwise fallow. Now. Without being too self-critical, I can point out to myself that there might be a more satisfying way in this situation.
And that's what I told myself yesterday. Going back to the wall - really just walking by on my way somewhere - I thought, maybe it's not about framing so much as it is about seeing. Maybe it's not about geography either. Maybe it's just about sitting with what happens to occupy the viewfinder, trusting that maybe there's something there.
I'm not sure I can find the words to express the process, the sharp intake of breath when I see something in camera that I'd not noticed, as though a world had opened before me. It is a blessing and it is nothing except what it is.
Blessings
Marco
