How have we all found a home in photography and books? It’s a question I think about from time to time. My father wanted me to be an investment banker. In hindsight, an idea I should have taken more seriously. I worked one night as a bouncer in a bar in East Texas. Given the job on the spot when the real bouncer quit, and I happened to be standing there. My lack of size and ability cemented the position as a one-off, one-night voyage. And then there was the fragrance modeling and the hot tub installation era. My very first job, circa 1977, was picking up nails.
Cerebral, I am not.
But when Jeff calls, I put on my thinking cap and sit for a chat. You might know Jeff through his podcast, “The Crit House.” We’ve talked about each other before, but he’s got a new twist focusing on the photobook. Turns out, I have quite a history with photobooks. Mostly because every single book I make is life-changing.(Unverified) Luckily, I can control my braggy, unrealistic impulses when I’m being recorded. These interviews and films aren’t easy, and they take far more time and energy than you might imagine, so I give credit to anyone who fights the good fight.
You know me, and you know I work for Blurb, so maybe this entire site is an elaborate scam to get you to make books so I keep my plush little job, or maybe I talk about books because I love books and I know what they do for us as image takers, image makers. Books make us better. Books slow us down. Books require focus and long-form attention, the cryptonite of the modern world. Books last. Books contain our stories, and when you tell stories, the dead remain alive and the world spins an interconnected tale of humanity in which we all play our part.
Comments 12
Bravo
Author
Gracias!
Danielsan, The “Crit House” is an interesting format for both photographers and viewers alike. I think this “book edition” may be stronger, offering a more in-depth, inside look of people like yourself. Loved it.
Author
I like it too. Anytime we get a chance to talk books, any books, it’s a good thing.
Early on the thought that your site “is an elaborate scam to get [me] to make books so I keep my plush little job” crossed my mind in a fit of 21st century cynicism. But I’ve been around long enough to see the real reason you make books bleed out of every thing you’ve ever done. I first found you on the “Inside Analog Photo Podcast,” back in the Smog Ranch and Kodak days. That podcast was amazing because a young upstart like me got to see that real, meaningful photography was more than pixel peeping. So many of the guests on that show, especially yourself, were saying over and over, “get your work into print, even if it’s from a color copier.” The fact that Blurb let me do that with a little more panache has been the icing on the cake.
Now…if you ever came across a sweet coupon code to help me really double down on Blurb…it would be received with no cynicism!
Author
Your wish……DANDEAL30
And thanks for hanging in there since the Smogranch days! That’s commendable. And much appreciated.
Interesting stuff, thank you. Quick question: Did you scan the negs or Prints?
Author
I’ve mostly scanned negs over my career.
Thanks for that, I saved it for later, like dessert. A great reminder that collaborating on a project is so much more fun than working away by yourself. No getting stuck in your head, quicker decisions need to be made, and the surprises of someone else’s opinions and talents.
Author
Almost all the best work I’ve done since 2012 is collaborative.
Not a photographer. A painter. And I do buy photography books. Just saying.
Author
Good. Keep us slacker photogs going.