I decided at the start of this year that I should share more of the pictures I take for me (ie not the pictures I get paid for). And instead of taking ages deliberating and going slow I’ve been making books/zines/printed essays. I don’t spend forever mulling them over and sequence them by intuition. They’re probably not perfect but they feel SO GOOD TO MAKE and share. Hopefully I’ll have the time to make many more next year.
I've been a photographer for a very long time but have also been a historic preservation consultant with a MA in the field, for the last 17 years. I have met many tradespeople in the course of that work and all of them complain that there are very few people who want to pursue a career in the preservation trades. Three years ago, this issue started a friend, Ken Follett (not the author), and I to start a project we call "Skilled" to make these trades more visible and to help recruit new people. It is a work in progress, but I have 54 portraits of people in Connecticut and New York so far. I shoot with digital Nikons and print on 17x22 paper with a Canon Pro 1100. The work has been exhibited in 6 venues. We continue to look for funding to keep shooting and for a publisher for a book. The work so far is at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjATJvP
I continue to shoot digital because of its accessibility, but have been looking forward to printing my shots more! I agree that we need less technology, not more. Bringing back tangible art is a balm to this increasingly digital age. I feel that it also fosters more connection to physically give them to others, or even stay connected to your own work.
Less technology, not more! I love that. ✨️ Your thoughts on the intersection of art making and algorithms are always enlightening, Andy.
I have been digging into hand made printmaking and bookmaking techniques lately. I made a one of a kind, hand stitched photo book. It was relaxing, experimental and meditative. Photo transfer prints are next on my list.
Mabey it is about reinvigorating our connection to hands-on, old school ways to disseminate our photography, as opposed to relying on the web. A more tangible, people focused mode of sharing art is what I crave. 😉
Ditto on the craving. I think you are spot on. I've been figuring out ways to hand-create my own photo books, too. (Long-time book binding hobbyist.) The back-reaction to modern times seems to be resonating with people right now.
Hi Andy, I love your work and share it. I'm taking photos and making art. And join us for free monthly online gatherings in Wildlands. We have one today, Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 1 pm-2pm Eastern- Share your creativity.
And I'd love your support, I am meeting with Senator's and Congressman's offices this week to protect, conserve and restore soils and souls. Meeting link is in today's Wildlands.
Awesome, Artemis, thank you- our next online creative gathering is Wednesday, December 17, 2025, 2 pm-3pm Eastern. We'll see you there and learn about you and your work! I look forward to it!
I love reading all these different strategies. As a life-long photographer / image maker, I've started recently making images in scent-- as in, yes, perfumery. These are invisible images, with indexical traces of the material (IRL) world around us just like photography. So I've coaxed my photographs off the screen and wall and into the air. These are no longer images to be seen, but actually embodied by the viewer. Not downloadable, not promptable.
I know this might be a bit of a controversial take, but the way I make sense of these changes in our society is by trying to look at them in a less divided way. I recently made a zine about this while spending time in the forest near my home, using a kind of technology that brings me nothing but joy and peace, the same way my camera does. Instead of seeing these technological changes as something to reject, I think of them as different parts of the same bigger picture, just at different stages of growth. The more I blend my love for analog and living slowly with the truth that everything is a form of technology (even nature), the easier it is to see how both perspectives can matter and support each other.
Hey, Lauren! I don't think this is a controversial take; on the contrary, finding balance is what it's about, in my opinion. Thanks for sharing the link. I'll read this as soon as I can. I appreciate you making time to chime in. Looking forward to hearing more about your work. Be well!
Count me among the group that feels an existential need for less technology. As I suspect all trades people know in their bones, skill, experience, and working with your hands matters in a fundamental way. I'm not sure one can be a full human without it (among several other things).
I've very recently taken up band weaving on an inkle loom, and it is delightfully satisfying. The "technology", so to speak -- craft is the much better word -- dates back at least 2,000 years and hasn't needed any change since. I'm also going to get back to bookbinding -- another craft originating a long time ago -- which as it turns out I am pretty decent at (I learned from the best at the Smithsonian when I lived in DC years ago).
Why this renewed need to work with my hands, using the simplest of tools? I don't really know, but I think it is in big part a deep-seated reaction to technology oversaturation in contemporary society. (Though you'll still have to pry my trusty camera from my cold, dead hands -- that's never never going to change.)
Less technology, not more, is really resonating right now.
I appreciate this! I sent you a couple emails but whatever is out in the ether right now is causing a tsunami of making from me. I love it because it restores my humanity and my compassion for the universe and all its inhabitants.🙏✨
Hi Andy, I used to work w/a 4x5 view camera and did all my own processing and printing in the darkroom. Gosh I love those silver prints.
As much as I dislike looking at a computer screen these days, I’ve developed terrible chemical sensitivity, yes even the new cleaner stuff, and can barely stand to be in a darkroom before my head starts spinning 😵💫.
I love making Sunprints now, even though they’re mainly for children. Very clean process. I can also tolerate cyanotype with good ventilation and an outdoor space. Some days I think about switching to paper collage but light is my muse. So, there you have it.
I decided at the start of this year that I should share more of the pictures I take for me (ie not the pictures I get paid for). And instead of taking ages deliberating and going slow I’ve been making books/zines/printed essays. I don’t spend forever mulling them over and sequence them by intuition. They’re probably not perfect but they feel SO GOOD TO MAKE and share. Hopefully I’ll have the time to make many more next year.
That's great; good for you, India! I would love to see some of that personal work. Please email anytime: flakphoto@gmail.com — Take care!
I've been a photographer for a very long time but have also been a historic preservation consultant with a MA in the field, for the last 17 years. I have met many tradespeople in the course of that work and all of them complain that there are very few people who want to pursue a career in the preservation trades. Three years ago, this issue started a friend, Ken Follett (not the author), and I to start a project we call "Skilled" to make these trades more visible and to help recruit new people. It is a work in progress, but I have 54 portraits of people in Connecticut and New York so far. I shoot with digital Nikons and print on 17x22 paper with a Canon Pro 1100. The work has been exhibited in 6 venues. We continue to look for funding to keep shooting and for a publisher for a book. The work so far is at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjATJvP
I continue to shoot digital because of its accessibility, but have been looking forward to printing my shots more! I agree that we need less technology, not more. Bringing back tangible art is a balm to this increasingly digital age. I feel that it also fosters more connection to physically give them to others, or even stay connected to your own work.
Less technology, not more! I love that. ✨️ Your thoughts on the intersection of art making and algorithms are always enlightening, Andy.
I have been digging into hand made printmaking and bookmaking techniques lately. I made a one of a kind, hand stitched photo book. It was relaxing, experimental and meditative. Photo transfer prints are next on my list.
Mabey it is about reinvigorating our connection to hands-on, old school ways to disseminate our photography, as opposed to relying on the web. A more tangible, people focused mode of sharing art is what I crave. 😉
Ditto on the craving. I think you are spot on. I've been figuring out ways to hand-create my own photo books, too. (Long-time book binding hobbyist.) The back-reaction to modern times seems to be resonating with people right now.
Well said! It is awesome that you are a book binding hobbyist. You must have made some fascinating art books. ✨️
I am starting to become a card carrying member of the arts and crafts reactionary movement, lol! Retro sounds wonderful!
Hi Andy, I love your work and share it. I'm taking photos and making art. And join us for free monthly online gatherings in Wildlands. We have one today, Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 1 pm-2pm Eastern- Share your creativity.
And I'd love your support, I am meeting with Senator's and Congressman's offices this week to protect, conserve and restore soils and souls. Meeting link is in today's Wildlands.
That sounds amazing! I just subscribed! 🐎🌾
Awesome, Artemis, thank you- our next online creative gathering is Wednesday, December 17, 2025, 2 pm-3pm Eastern. We'll see you there and learn about you and your work! I look forward to it!
Sounds fun! 😊
Thanks for the intro to Felicity Zhang’s substack. See my comments about AI there!
I love reading all these different strategies. As a life-long photographer / image maker, I've started recently making images in scent-- as in, yes, perfumery. These are invisible images, with indexical traces of the material (IRL) world around us just like photography. So I've coaxed my photographs off the screen and wall and into the air. These are no longer images to be seen, but actually embodied by the viewer. Not downloadable, not promptable.
I know this might be a bit of a controversial take, but the way I make sense of these changes in our society is by trying to look at them in a less divided way. I recently made a zine about this while spending time in the forest near my home, using a kind of technology that brings me nothing but joy and peace, the same way my camera does. Instead of seeing these technological changes as something to reject, I think of them as different parts of the same bigger picture, just at different stages of growth. The more I blend my love for analog and living slowly with the truth that everything is a form of technology (even nature), the easier it is to see how both perspectives can matter and support each other.
https://open.substack.com/pub/lcinmotion/p/forest-circuits-a-photo-zine?r=vv3n8&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Hey, Lauren! I don't think this is a controversial take; on the contrary, finding balance is what it's about, in my opinion. Thanks for sharing the link. I'll read this as soon as I can. I appreciate you making time to chime in. Looking forward to hearing more about your work. Be well!
tangible, real life photography and art will always prevail <3 thanks for the good shout!
keep making amazing work, i love your curation xx
Count me among the group that feels an existential need for less technology. As I suspect all trades people know in their bones, skill, experience, and working with your hands matters in a fundamental way. I'm not sure one can be a full human without it (among several other things).
I've very recently taken up band weaving on an inkle loom, and it is delightfully satisfying. The "technology", so to speak -- craft is the much better word -- dates back at least 2,000 years and hasn't needed any change since. I'm also going to get back to bookbinding -- another craft originating a long time ago -- which as it turns out I am pretty decent at (I learned from the best at the Smithsonian when I lived in DC years ago).
Why this renewed need to work with my hands, using the simplest of tools? I don't really know, but I think it is in big part a deep-seated reaction to technology oversaturation in contemporary society. (Though you'll still have to pry my trusty camera from my cold, dead hands -- that's never never going to change.)
Less technology, not more, is really resonating right now.
I appreciate this! I sent you a couple emails but whatever is out in the ether right now is causing a tsunami of making from me. I love it because it restores my humanity and my compassion for the universe and all its inhabitants.🙏✨
Hi Andy, I used to work w/a 4x5 view camera and did all my own processing and printing in the darkroom. Gosh I love those silver prints.
As much as I dislike looking at a computer screen these days, I’ve developed terrible chemical sensitivity, yes even the new cleaner stuff, and can barely stand to be in a darkroom before my head starts spinning 😵💫.
I love making Sunprints now, even though they’re mainly for children. Very clean process. I can also tolerate cyanotype with good ventilation and an outdoor space. Some days I think about switching to paper collage but light is my muse. So, there you have it.