In case you were wondering. In case you were wondering what the tariffs mean for photography. It’s not good. Several electronics companies have pulled out of the US. Camera brands no longer have stock, so stores are urging people to buy now because they won’t be getting reserves, and they believe prices will spike when they eventually get product. Collectors stopped buying photography. Even the super-rich are focused on getting back what they lost a few weeks ago when our beloved leader purposely tanked the market. Photography was fragile before this mess, and now it teeters on the brink. (The business of photography, not the online “stuff.”)
“I think I have a rash.” Overheard at AIPAD
Seven days a week, the man from Moldova pushes his fully laden cart from Central Park to a storage locker on 40th. Then he takes two trains to get home. We meet at 10 PM heading south on 7th. Bright lights, big city. For some, sixty-dollar-a-plate dinner spots empty out with black SUVs waiting curbside. Drivers on their phones. Patrons shuttled back to their glam pads high on the east or west. No bags. Never any bags. Not even a purse. Just the outrageously expensive clothes on their backs. Worn once or twice and discarded to Moldova or the Maldives. Pile it up, stir it up, flush it down until it washes back onshore. Easter Island on Easter weekend.
One foot in the photography door and one foot on the outside looking away. There is more out there, untapped resources of things to do, things to learn. Always attempting to find context. Keep it simple or embrace the complex. By ten, I’m out of ammo. My mind and mouth think about the squarish stillness of the room on the 12th floor. There I’ll be with what I desire most. Silence. Nothing. A nocturnal reset before tomorrow comes and takes it all away.
Comments 16
For once, Canada is the place to be a consumer. Our tariffs with every country but the USA have not changed. But the more specialty items may still dry up as the wholesale supply chain may have come through the USA first. I’m not sure where cameras come in this mess… but if companies elect to not ship to the USA, the part of that load that would have been destined for Canada will never arrive. Canada will still get things that are shipped by full container (2TEU’s), and we may be alright in that regard for camera brands, as the larger brands also make things we don’t see ie medical equipment. But it will certainly slow things down.
I’ve been teetering on the brink of some large photo purchases……putting them off as long as possible. Thinking now that even here in Canada, buying what I want now is a good idea in anticipation of slower fulfillment if I wait. And there will always be others around wanting the same stuff as things slow down, so the gear will likely not lose value. And believe it or not there is even local supply of the X100VI.
Author
Buy it! Put a tiny Canadian flag on it…..
Yeah I was just thinking that same thing – as I was considering trying to find a Ricoh GRIII to help lighten the load when Im out on travel. Seems I might have waited too long to pull the trigger. I blame Obama 😎 But seriously interesting days ahead I am sure … “interesting “ is the best word I could come up with.
Author
Interesting. Deadly. All the above. Yesterday’s jailing of a judge was the next step.
If you’re close, come to Canada.
I bought the cheapest Mac Mini last week. The one before that lasted for almost 12 years. So I will use this one for another 12 years and maybe I’ll just stop using a computer by then (age 72).
Same with my digicams, got 2 pieces of it now (1 new and one old) and a lot of analog ones. So I’m good for the rest of my photography life( I hope). Don’t panic, most of us are drained in a lot of stuff we never will use untill it dies. It’s a western habit to get angst when the shelves are getting empty, remember CV19 anyone?
Author
You get 12 years out of something and you scored!!
A lot of Americans shopping in Canada right now so we’re starting to feel the pinch. The difference of course is that many of the larger companies are shipping direct to Canada, so resupply is supposedly on the way.
Author
Airdrops!
“Accept the now, embrace the later”… how very Zen and how very worth thinking about.
“Accept the now… ”
We only can act in the present and can only act on what in that instant is unfolding in front of us. This doesn’t just apply to photography but to all things. I often cannot explain in the moment why I pressed the shutter when I did. I don’t have time to dwell on that; I’m too busy living in the moment, letting my instincts guide me.
“… embrace the later”
But I can always explain in great detail what was going on for me when I look at my images in post. I had allowed my subconscious, my instincts, to guide my capturing the moment. But reviewing my work in the field while in the comfort of my home I have the time to understand what I did, how I did it, what the image really means to me. Many times years or even decades later I can go recall everything that was going on when I pressed the shutter.
“ Accept the now, embrace the later.”… what a treasure.
Author
I wish I was Zen. That might be helpful in all kinds of ways. Maybe with my drawing….
Sorry Daniel; too late…
We’re all Zen (and Taoists) its just a matter of degree measured in self-awareness
Worthy reads:
“Zen in the Martial Arts” – Joe Hyams, © 1979 (only 134 pages)
ISBN 978-0-553-27559-9
“Zen Camera” – David Urlich, © 2018
Hardcover ISBN 978-0-399-58033-8
Ebook ISBN 978-0-399-58034-5
There are many paths to the top of the mountain and there are no rules about which paths to take or how many to take at the same time.
So as with photography, drawing is another great path to take… 🙂
Author
The path to salvation is as thin as a razor’s edge….
https://youtu.be/7OMXunbESMQ?feature=shared
I think Sir Paul’s beautiful prints will sell well to the people with taste and deep pockets. This reflects many things: printing is still king imho and craftsmanship will always be honoured.
Author
Silver over digital. Printed by the photographer vs by someone else. Edition size.
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