This really resonates with me in a profound way. As an older person myself who has struggled with a variety of personal and professional obstacles for the past 30+ years I found this not only relevant and inspiring but also comforting that "playing the long game" is ultimately the wisest approach. It seems paradoxical that a medium that is so instant and immediately gratifying to create can actually take the longest to truly understand and present. Everything in this article applies to me, down to a word. I have just begun to come to that understanding in the past year or so, and even more so in the past month (better meds). I remember reading some similar ideas about not knowing what "series" you are working on until years later when I read an interview with Todd Hido and at the time I didn't fully appreciate what it meant. This article now came at exactly the right time and I hope everyone who reads it will take comfort in knowing that there is no real deadline for making a body of work. Thanks for sharing this story!
Thank you for sharing Dave! It really means a lot to me to know how much this resonated with you. It’s incredible hearing that this applied so perfectly and came out at exactly the right time. There’s definitely no deadline, so continue playing that long game!
I agree that’s a very interesting paradoxical aspect of photography. I feel like a big part of it is that great photographs never get old, they usually only get better with time. Even mediocre ones can become interesting when they start to depict a world that no longer exists in the same way.
But images that start out good seem to take on additional layers of meaning as they age, even if it’s the first time people are seeing them. I think Mimi Plumb’s Landfall is a perfect example of this. The book didn’t originally come out until 34 years after she started shooting the project, and 28 years after she finished it. But I think it’s even better now was than if it had been released in 1990 when she originally finished it.
I am truly honored to hear that Donna. I don’t think so either. Such an eloquently put, beautiful attitude to have on your life’s work. You put it perfectly with “It turns out that just being myself, over and over again, has led me to a place where I am really proud of who I am and what I make.” I can’t think of a better perspective to have on your own work than that.
Beautiful work, and your words along with it really captivated me…. Thank you!
Really happy to hear you enjoyed it Manuel!
This really resonates with me in a profound way. As an older person myself who has struggled with a variety of personal and professional obstacles for the past 30+ years I found this not only relevant and inspiring but also comforting that "playing the long game" is ultimately the wisest approach. It seems paradoxical that a medium that is so instant and immediately gratifying to create can actually take the longest to truly understand and present. Everything in this article applies to me, down to a word. I have just begun to come to that understanding in the past year or so, and even more so in the past month (better meds). I remember reading some similar ideas about not knowing what "series" you are working on until years later when I read an interview with Todd Hido and at the time I didn't fully appreciate what it meant. This article now came at exactly the right time and I hope everyone who reads it will take comfort in knowing that there is no real deadline for making a body of work. Thanks for sharing this story!
Thank you for sharing Dave! It really means a lot to me to know how much this resonated with you. It’s incredible hearing that this applied so perfectly and came out at exactly the right time. There’s definitely no deadline, so continue playing that long game!
I agree that’s a very interesting paradoxical aspect of photography. I feel like a big part of it is that great photographs never get old, they usually only get better with time. Even mediocre ones can become interesting when they start to depict a world that no longer exists in the same way.
But images that start out good seem to take on additional layers of meaning as they age, even if it’s the first time people are seeing them. I think Mimi Plumb’s Landfall is a perfect example of this. The book didn’t originally come out until 34 years after she started shooting the project, and 28 years after she finished it. But I think it’s even better now was than if it had been released in 1990 when she originally finished it.
Great essay. Thanks for sharing these lessons.
Thank you very much! My pleasure!
What a fantastic selection of photos.
Thank you very much Mariusz, I’m glad you enjoyed them!
I am truly honored to hear that Donna. I don’t think so either. Such an eloquently put, beautiful attitude to have on your life’s work. You put it perfectly with “It turns out that just being myself, over and over again, has led me to a place where I am really proud of who I am and what I make.” I can’t think of a better perspective to have on your own work than that.