Jacki might find this interesting...

Caitlin Atkinson is a fine art photographer whom I found while Google-searching (you'll never guess): "fine art photographers" --amazing I got that result, I know.

But the first photographer I clicked on struck a chord with me about the conceptual work Jacki has done and continues to do.

Atkinson has only one series on her site with just eight photos, but it's worth it to look at: http://www.caitlinatkinson.net/chapter1.html

This is her artist statement concerning the series "Chapters":

Chapters

 A few nights ago, I locked myself out of my apartment for the third time this year. While I sat trying to decide what to do, I was overwhelmed with the thought that my life seems composed of one mistake after another; that I am living through a seemingly endless series of disappointments. No matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to get it right.

Whether it is an awkward public interaction, unreal crisis, or moment of social disconnection, ordinary life is full of abrupt occurrences that create discomfort and isolation.  It is often shocking and painful to discover how unsympathetic and harsh the world can be when we fail. The consequences of our transgressions, however small, leave us feeling inept and alone.

The photographs I create are all constructed scenes inspired by my own encounters with this fear and failure. My interest is focused on these breakdowns of everyday life and the subsequent relationship with defeat. The sad humor and vulnerability in the situations I stage allow viewers to identify with the character I portray. In exposing my own shame and seclusion, I am giving name to the anxiety that plagues us all. The images then serve not simply as an illumination of the feeling of embarrassment, but as representations of undisguised human nature.

Some New Work...In Spite Of Myself

Photojournalism practice at the Wisconsin State Capitol: Take 3

For the past three Saturdays I have traveled to Madison to take photos of the protests outside the State Capitol to get some more photojournalism practice in - since that's one of the many types of jobs I had been applying for. After applying for a position as photojournalist for my hometown newspaper back in October, I finally got an interview at the beginning at February. :)

The first time I went, on Feb. 19, the crowd was a mixture of anti-Walker/bill protesters along with some tea party and Walker supporters. The experience in and of itself - political beliefs and opinions of the budget repair bill aside - was absolutely incredible and breathtaking. The photos I took that day lacked depth, however, because I was so overwhelmed by the sheer number of people there and snapped pictures of nearly every sign I could see. Most of the frames I shot were of the protesters as I marched behind them, and occasionally I would turn and walk backwards to get the front of them. I will emphasize this again: I walking AS I was shooting, and sometimes doing so BACKWARDS. Not a smart idea in a mass of thousands of people. Many shots also turned out looking posed and unnatural. I was so concerned with taking photos every second that I wasn't lookind around for the less-typical shots. And I'm pretty sure a giddy smile was plastered on my face. I was like a tourist...just in a city less than an hour away from my home. I call that my get-a-grip-of-yourself-Sam phase. Shots taken: 500+ And they looked alot like this:

The second time I went, on Feb. 26, the crowd was pulsating -- many more protesters there than the Saturday before, despite the snow and cold. My tactic this time was to not focus so much on capturing the crowd itself, since shots from any day would look almost indistinguishable from any other publication/news broadcast. I tried different angles, went up on the curb and staying there a while to let the crowd pass by me and snap the shutter when something was actually there...not just because something filled the frame. That day I waited a little more than a half hour in line to get inside of the Capitol. And yes, I went through another get-a-grip-of-yourself-Sam phase ---I clicked at everything, only later realizing that my pictures looked EXACTLY like every other person who uploaded them on Facebook or Flickr. Pictures are not videos, so my excitement over how loud the protesters were inside didn't translate in each frame. And the aerial shots I took? Not that great. Though at the time I thought they were. Shots taken: 400+, like this:

-----Then, the unthinkable happened: I got a call last Wednesday night from the managing editor of my hometown newspaper...and he offered me the job!!! The next day I met with him to go over the details, and my first day is tomorrow!! I can honestly say this is the happiest I've been in months! ----------

Yesterday (March 5) I went back to try to get this photojournalism stuff down. Afterall, that will be my title in just a few days, so I better seem like a deserve it. This time I could be more focused. I wasn't phased by the crowd this time, not only because it was smaller and less vocal (other than while Michael Moore was there giving a speech), but also because I could picture myself in the role I was about to fill. My shots turned out much better. I took about 300 this time, many of which were valid shots. This time I looked for action and emotion. I found this both in people who shouted from on the street as well as those who just stood stoically gripping their signs. Most of all, I took the time to stop walking and set up my shot to avoid camera shake and motion blur. I wasn't 100% successful, but I think I did much better.

Here are some shots from March 5 -- feedback would be much appreciated :)



A protester dressed as Governor Scott Walker and handed out pink slips to those in the crowd at the Capitol Saturday, March 5.



A protestor reads the list of items currently not allowed inside the state capitol.

Wisconsin State Capitol Police Chief Charles Tubbs signals the last group of protesters who were escorted out of the Capitol late Saturday afternoon.

Update

A few images I have edited inbetween work... Thank you Shane for putting up your photos. I hope you continue too, as I do everyone. I check everyday at least...

I guess I promised, Baird!

So I can't post new work, per se.  I am working on a new project, but I'm not even at the point where I'm scanning imagery.  Still photographing, thinking, photographing, feeling, photographing, etc.  And with Off Broadway I'm at the most difficult spot:  what fits with what and how?  what of my favorite stuff ain't gonna make the cut?  etc.

Following are five images that I've grouped together.  Contrary to my normal way of assembling, I've decided to try making color the thread which most distinctly ties these particular images.  

The first image should serve to demonstrate--if only barely!--the effect these images may have as a group on a wall.

You're up, Bairdness.  Let's see some more!  I like what I see so far...

Newest Project

So I wasn't going to put up any new pictures...because I told Shane I would put some up when he did...I know, I'm a brat...but I will put a preview of what I am doing and hope Shane will give us some fun stuff to see as well:-)

I have used photography recently as my outlet, like I used to. I have been going through some crazy changing times, good and bad, and I have needed something to ground me and balance me out, and I turned to my photos as I always seem to do...

It is a project that I truly feel something for...Not that I truly relate to it myself, but I am engrossing myself into learning things about it. I decided I wanted to work outside of my comfort zone and learn about other people...I love conversing with people and hearing stories about why they have done things...I drink up asking people questions and learning about them, even though I may never see them again. I feel like I can make "friends" anywhere I go, as long as I converse with them as if this is not the first time we are meeting, but just catching up. I guess you could say I "shmooze" a bit...my dad IS a salesman, and says that's how he get's customers, so maybe that's where I pick it up. However, he and I also share the common trait of LOVING when people are happy and we can please them. We may "shmooze", but we enjoy the outcome if it brings happiness. For instance...telling a woman at a toll booth "Happy Mother's Day," even if they may not be a mother, or they are, can make a load of difference to that person. I thrive off of that feeling. That is why I love my job...I can use my passion for photography to give people memories and things that will always make them happy.

Anyway...I decided to look for an outlet to help me with that. I wanted to do one that I wasn't originally passionate about, or knew a lot about, so i decided to try sports. I am not a big sports person, so I thought, why not learn more about it, and the passion and pain athletes feel... So I have followed a couple athletes in different sports and learned about them and asked them if I can photography them during all fazes of their sport... So we shall see....

"On average we have maybe 50 to 60 years on this planet. And we probably have 20 years when we're a vital presence, when you can actually do something with your life. So what are you going to do with that time? Are you gonna enjoy it? Not get involved? Or are you gonna try and do something to make some other peoples' lives better than they are, even if it means going through hell? Even if those people don't even appreciate what you're trying to do. Even if you're not sure yourself that what you're doing is going to make any bit of difference." -Eddie Vedder (out of context it's lovely, within context it's more lovely- check it).