Today, I went on my first photographic mission with my polaroid. I dropped my son off at daycare and went searching for photographs. Biking and using a polaroid are two great devices for my creative self. My brain computes the best with analog devices.
Two topics now fill my thoughts: the beauty of limitation and the story of Berlin.
I am using a Polaroid camera from the 70’s. The photos are best when they are taken close - therefore, to photograph strangers one must be bold. I snapped this photo of a film shoot, but one of the most interesting parts of the scene is missing because I was nervous to get closer. A polaroid is not inconspicuous in form or sound. I am not bold, I circled on my bike for what felt like 10 minutes. Wanting to get the shot of a cameraman, a light holder and the actor standing on a stool to give himself more height. Finally, I summoned up my inner Joel Meyerwitz, raised the camera and snapped. I quickly placed the photo in the inner pocket of my coat and biked quickly away with a smile on my face.
Film Shoot
There were other photos that I wanted to take, but the distance was a bit too much or the sun was blaring or my courage failed me. I decided that these missed photo opportunities would be a part of a conceptual photo collection. I think I am better with words anyway.
Full disclosure, I don’t consider myself a photographer. I have friends who are amazing photographers and to label myself in this regard is to disrespect them. I am however, a writer, musician and thinker who enjoys taking photographs - especially polaroids and other film formats. In every photograph there is a story and a thought and it is those things that I’m best at working with.
Odysseus
Photographing the city I call home also brings me closer to her. This expansive metropolis is filled with stories, ghosts, ever-changing landscapes and so many dreams from so many different people.
The city grows and is continuously reconstructed, but history still shapes and impacts the streets and the souls that walk them as much as the present moment and the ideas of and dreams for the future.
So much has happened here.
The Lone Biker
Unity
Laut oder Still
