I don’t count countries. Never have, never will. What’s the point? I get around, I guess, at least compared to some, but not others. It matters not. I’m not here to show off. I was never competitive, at least not overly that way. I like to return to the same places again and again. I’ve never felt there is any other way to get to know a people or place truly. This isn’t for everyone. Many photographers want to come once, make a few pictures, add the country to their list, and then move on to the next. A visual locust, if you will. To each their own. I get it. New places are alluring, but imagine if you spent enough time to learn the language and build local connections and relationships. That’s how you build depth and stories.
I’m about to return to Albania for the third time.
I’m a long, long way from understanding the people or the place, but I do feel like I’m getting closer. When I’m teaching, I’m not focused on my own work, but I do make a picture here and there. (This multiexposure is a good example.) This is the trade-off for teaching instead of traveling to do stories, but I’m more than happy to make this trade-off because I love watching other people work and improve more than making my own pictures. I do have ideas and plans for 2027 that will involve me being a photographer, just like the old days, but I can’t see doing this full-time. Just maybe a project or two each year.
So far, in 2027, I have six international trips planned. No new countries. I’m a long, long way from understanding any of these places, even after returning more than once. But I know, eventually, that is how I WOULD get to know these places. When I pull images from Peru, Albania, Japan, and Mexico, places I’ve been to multiple times, I have more to pull from. My outtakes suddenly become more important. I begin to see stories being framed. This I find exciting. Will I explore new places? You bet, but I’m also going to double down on where I live: New Mexico. Even after twenty-five years, I’m still new to the place, and haven’t come close to understanding the nuances of this fantastical land.
Comments 13
Totally relate to this. It’s the same when I go to Helgoland to teach marine biology every other year. I don’t do my own stuff – although I could – but rather enjoy helping the students to do their own first steps in designing and executing their own little projects they get to finish in about a week. And I never get bored to see and experience the same fascinating facets of nature on this island despite having delved in it many many times by now…not to speak about the tons of photos I’ve shot on the side. One of my future book projects…
Author
This is why I like returning to the same town in Maine every summer. Same beaches, seawall, etc. Always something new.
I was reflecting on your infatuation with the Zento, and couldn’t help but feel nostalgic. I’ve used Zento, but, I will say that after months of my personal dalliance with it have returned to a far superior writing experience: the Faber Castell Poly-Ball XB. When you get across the pond, they are everywhere for a few Euro. They can be found online in the States. It’s a standard looking Parker/International refill, but it just flows on the page.There’s something very satisfying about it, and eventually your gonna get a messy Zento that looks like a cheap Sharpie…
Author
I’ve had seven Zento’s and none have been bad, at least so far. I give them away to pen friends, and have used two extensively now. And man, the ink lasts a long time. Some of the other pens I love, I burn through refills in weeks.
Sometimes I think of traveling out of the country (USA) again, but then I remember I’d have to renew my passport, and that now that means having to put “gender assigned at birth” on it, and I find that so hideously offensive that I cannot do it.
Author
Ah, that’s just them showing their lack of forward thinking. That’s the government for you. $34 billion on the war, so far, and yet no healthcare.
To be quite honest, the whole idea of passports full stop is hideously offensive. Mean, why should we need permission to travel anywhere?
Author
“give me your papers!”
*I mean…
Since I’ve found Dan’s online stuff, there has been the space pen era, the UNiball jetstream era, the Ohto ceramic era and the hex body pen from Write. I jumped onto the Ohto ceramic due to the camouflage and I really like it but for a commonly available pen, I do agree that the jetstream is pretty good. Now I have to look up this Zento thing. I’m guessing it’s the white ink marker?
As to the travel aspect, my wife and I are leaning towards a repeat visit rather than a new place in 2027. There can be a bit of comfort in traveling to a familiar place even if you go to new parts of that place. getting used to a specific airport, knowing how the available mass transit works, possibly having a local to connect/re-connect with.
Author
Those are all on my top pen list, and I still use them. Just gave one of the Ohto’s away. BaronFig Hex is good too.
Baronfig. That’s where the hex came from. I thought it was from Write notepads which now that I look again seems to have moved away from idividual item sales.
The Ohto multi-function pen is the best multi I have found so far. Not that I’ve done a ton of looking.
Author
Yes, BF! Love their stuff.