March 2012 Photo Experiment
I had just finished
a month-long ritual of self-denial, add to that only eating what fits into the
palm of my hand, topped off with a 36-hour food and liquid fast on the last
day. This one marks year-three of a five year program to purposefully change
the way my brain and body operate. Sounds crazy, but they say change begins
with you, so I've been pointing that finger back at myself for some time. During
this year’s observance, I wrote of my "February experience" in
the now-soldout half-sized zine, 29 Days Later, and I decided to make
the next month about photography.
To celebrate March’s entry, I broke my fast by strolling to a local gourmet
doughnut shop. I bought four doughnuts (glazed, cheesecake, almond caramel,
and blood orange) at $3 a pop, and chowed down.
Along the brisk, half-mile walk there and back, on a rainy, 35 degree morning,
I took 8 photographs with a broken camera.
I aimed the camera, through trees, at the sun behind the clouds. My results
almost make me want to keep the busted thing, though it may just be my love
for all things unfixable.
I know they are a blurred vision of the end times taken by a dying machine,
but I secretly hope either of the first two end up as the cover of a Burzum
live bootleg.
For the full series, complete with high resolution images, please click on the photo or here.
After
that morning, I pulled out a new beauty I bought to replace the old one, while
giving my last camera an actual burial in the backyard of the abandoned rowhouse
next door.
It was at the funeral that I decided to do an experiment to spur my creativity.
I was to
take one series of digital photos every Saturday in March, each having to do
with a walk through my neighborhood. From my place in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, I
took a circular, hour-long walk, and snapped pictures. I would keep a theme
in mind, and have to deal with any circumstances the day provided, ranging from
illness to poor lighting.
On March 3rd, 2012, I had my first walk, and took photos of every burn-out,
or abandoned building I came across.
Of the 30+ photos, these are the best of the batch, titled The Burn-Outs
of Bed-Stuy.
For the full series, complete with high resolution images, please click on the photo or here.
On
March 10th, 2012, I had my second walk, and took photos of every place of ritual
or worship I came across.
Of the 20+ photos, these are my favorites, titled Thee Lodge.
For the full series, complete with high resolution images, please click on the photo or here.
On
March 17th, 2012, I had my third walk, and took photos of all the odd patterns
(natural and man-made) I came across.
Of the 30+ photos, these are the more interesting shots, titled I'm Seeing
A Pattern Here.
For the full series, complete with high resolution images, please click on the photo or here.
On
March 24th, 2012, I had my fourth walk, and took photos of what this whole city
has the most of: trash.
This album made me quite sad, as it was over 50 photos. I titled it Total
Garbage.
For the full series, complete with high resolution images, please click on the photo or here.
Luckily,
I spent the month in good health, and decent lighting, so on March 31th, 2012,
I had my fifth walk, and - to lighten the mood - took photos of everything I
came across that made me scratch my head in wonder.
Of a little over a dozen pics, these are fun, and titled WTF!?
For the full series, complete with high resolution images, please click on the photo or here.