considerations about a tough morning

The first of the ten very difficult days is done. I don't have much to add – didn't sleep so much, and it was a heavily physical day. Luka and the girls came very late during the night, and I woke up; in the morning, I didn't come out of bed immediately – instead, spent some time with Dos Passos­ – and, thus, did not do any yoga. Tomorrow we start even earlier: at 6AM. This would sort of be ok a couple of weeks ago, but now I feel completely off my rhythm; the only advantage is that we have a completely free afternoon.

I've done, again, some research on polyphasic sleep...maybe I could try it out for the forthcoming months. It feels great for farm life, but not so good if there are any commitments during the day. I'll keep it in the back of my mind.

some thoughts on photography, with quotes

Simon has sent us the Magnum Photos collection of advice from their photographers. He would like to have our photographs by tomorrow, to have them printed Wednesday and brought to the farm on Thursday.

I'm not quite sure on my material. This assignment has been on my mind almost every day, but it's really not clear whether I'm sufficiently invested – or have anything to add, really – in photography. In any case, I took some quotes and photographs out of the piece, for further reflection.

Mark Power's photo of the mourning of Pope John Paul II.

(...) Without having tangible ideas, thoughts, feelings and something almost literary to contribute to the discussion, today’s photographer will become lost in the sea of mediocrity. (...)

David Allan Harvey

Back when we first met, we decided I'd be photographing the barn kitchen; it's a place I very much appreciate in the farm, with its unique lightning and, of course, the very communal purpose. I have a few shots in there, but nothing groundbreaking. On the other hand, I think it will make much more sense, and be more meaningful, when I have a sense of narrative, or cohesion, with some other photographies.

The kitchen is usually a little messy; at some point during our stay, we started having freshly cut flowers in vases.

Throw yourself off a cliff, figuratively speaking. Photography is a language. Think about what you want to use it to talk about. What are you interested in? What questions do you want to ask? Then go for it, and throw yourself into talking about that topic, using photography. Make a body of work about that.

Jonas Bendiksen

Then, I have to wonder: what exactly would be story be; or better yet, where exactly do my interests – the things that mean something to me – overlap with photography as a medium?

Photography can give a person a voice, but it says nothing without intent and meaning. When you begin, the emphasis can be too much on trying to make pretty pictures. My advice is to first focus on having something to say. Your photography naturally becomes more fluent as your commitment deepens.

Matt Black

When I am outside with the computer, this is one of my favourite places.

To photograph what is closest to you and the things that you enjoy and have an interest in. Make the whole process as fun and as least difficult as possible.

Trent Parke

Harry Gruyaert, Bay of the Somme river.

Find something you are passionate about and shoot your way through this obsession with elegance and you will have a potentially great project

Martin Parr

One of the many pictures I took from the kitchen.