Today I visited The Museum of Modern Art in New York and the experience was truly inspiring. I saw photography ranging from Dorothea Lange to Nan Goldin, and the paintings of Pollack, Picasso and De Kooning to name and few. I also read an important quote by the painter Mark Rothko: “The progression of a painters work, as it travels in time from point to point, will be toward clarity: toward the elimination of obstacles between the painter and the idea, and between the idea and the observer.” This is exactly what I’m attempting to do when shooting for Project1. It is a constant: That I remove all that is extraneous, and hopefully realize the absolute core of what I’m photographing. I don’t believe that previously I had thought about it so clearly, but it does help explain why most of the time I’m more interested in breaking a scene into smaller pieces, and capturing what might be most important to the eye, the observer.

I’ve always known that it is of at least some importance that I have a clear understanding of what I’m creating. Though shooting for the pure love of it, and not putting to much thought into what the art is has allowed me to create with a lot of freedom, it will be become increasingly important for me to be able to verbalize some objectives so that I can explain to people what I’m doing and why. Art for arts sake is wonderful, but the art world at large, a place I hope to become more a part of as I continue to exhibit, will expect an elevator pitch detailing the inner math, or dialogue of what I’m creating. Much like philosophy, this is a dangerous place for me. If I’m not careful, I’ll make to much of something simple, and think too much of that which I create.

Tonight’s entry is a reply to the simple, yet elegant forms I saw in many of the paintings today.

Transformation – New York, NY

ISO 800, 24-70 @ 24mm, f/5.0 @ 1/320 sec – hand held – available light

This evening marks the final shot of Project1 2010. This is not the image that I originally thought I would use. Setting out with my friend Adrianna, we made our way to a massive broken dam, and waited for the sun to drop so that I could get my shot. Though I’m happy with the results, on our way home the sky was overtaken by the most beautiful wash of color, and I found this wonderful old house and mailbox. I believe this to be the perfect year ending photograph.

Project1 has been an incredible journey. It began as a way to make something good out of something truly awful. A cataclysmic event in my life that I’m still dealing with. It was an end, and like so many forks in the road, it was also a beginning. During the last year I’ve grown as a person, and as a photographer. Doing this work has increased my technically proficiency, and more importantly, has changed the way I see the world. Today I’m more apt to see all sides of “the box”. I have a better understanding of when to work with what I have, and when to push beyond and create something new.

There is so much good that has happened as a result of Project1 that I’m suddenly realizing that it’s going to take at least a few days to sink in. I was in four art exhibitions and just sold two large pieces. I met wonderful people, and photographed them. I’ve garnered at least a few fans from around the world, and we’ve shared comments and emails. I’ve done some of the best work of my life, and when I was hating myself, somewhere around the third month, for committing to something so grand, I worked through it and kept shooting. I’ve started working with kids as a photography teacher, which has been absolutely incredible, and something I plan to continue with. On a humorous note I’ve been hassled by the police five times, and each time everything has worked out just fine.

The range of subjects I’ve photographed is staggering; People and plants, the ocean and desert, moon and the sky, organic and man-made. I’ve always wanted to live and create art in Downtown LA, and now I do. I’ve discovered, what is for me, a whole new world in these darkened streets, and although I knew, it was my dear friend Arturo who, while we hunted one night commented how incredibly different it is in DTLA. To have so much of the city all to myself is magic. The stillness of night, shine of streetlights, and never ending shadows all create the perfect blanket for me to peer out of and create my photographs. The city is my fort. Here, during this last year, I have created with a freedom that I’ve not experienced in so pure a form since I was a child.

Even with the knowledge that I’m starting year two tomorrow, it’s with a twinge of melancholy that I make the years final entry. Though I often play it down, maybe completing this goal is larger than I know. Only time will tell. To everyone who has looked at my photographs, sent in comments, come to my art shows, and been so incredibly supportive (you know who you are) from the bottom of my heart – Thank you! I hope you’ll come back, and experience another year with me. I’ll be doing some work to the site over the next few weeks, so please keep checking back. As always, I’d love to hear from you. Thank you. (Ghost)

Project1 – 365 Days 365 Photographs – See you tomorrow.

End of A New Beginning – Greenville, NY

ISO 100, 50mm prime, f/1.4 @ 1/250 sec – hand held – available light

Today I walked a number of miles, winding my way along the Hudson River, and then making my way inland, first toward the original center of town, and then up the hill to RSI. The architecture, scenery, and snow were all stunning, and a little overwhelming. With so many new and radically different things to look at I felt a little out of my element shooting. What I forgot is that creating art is simply a state of mind. Although at times I felt unsure about what I was shooting, I was actually doing good work, and today it was once again difficult to pick my shot. Once again I chose something that feels fresh, and at least a little unlike an image I’ve created before.

Tomorrow is the 365th day of Project1. My plan is to wake early, find my shot, and do a little writing about the experience. I don’t exactly know why, but I’m nervous about finishing the year. Thank goodness I’m immediately starting Project1 – Year 2.

Two Out of Three  - Troy, New York

ISO 100, 50mm prime, f/1.4 @ 1/1250 sec

This trip Back East is providing a truly  limitless treasure chest of incredible photographic opportunities. Every day I create numerous images that I would be proud to post on Project1. Choosing has come down to two things: Though almost never perfect, the image that most closely resembles what I pictured in my head before taking the photo, and something that is a little different.

This bridge was challenging to photograph. Though the wide shot was easy, I also attempted to break it up into smaller parts, and the results were mixed. That said I’m quite pleased with the wide, and the addition of a passing train, I believe, really completes the shot.

Untitled – Catskill Creek, Catskill, NY

ISO 200, 24-70 @ 59mm, f/4.5 @ 1/200 sec – hand held – available light

I can’t believe that the first year of Project1 is almost finished. It’s strange because as I finish out December I thought that I would be thinking, and writing about this incredible year of photography. Instead, I simply continue to take photographs everyday. That in itself may be the greatest outcome of Project1. That I no longer think about shooting for the day, but simply do it. I mentioned to a new friend that I have this blog, and that I shoot everyday, like that’s something commendable or something. He looked at me and said, “Of course you do. You’re a photographer.” Exactly.

Front to Back – Portland, Maine

ISO 800, 50mm prime, f/1.4 @ 1/50 sec – hand held – available light

Snow is so compelling that I’d only wandered a few feet from the house when I found my shot. Interesting time to shoot; Though it appeared very dark, there was so much muted natural light bouncing against the shiny, powdery fluff that I was able to shoot at an unexpectedly high shutter speed. Always learning.

Roses in Waiting – Camden, ME

ISO 800, 50mm prime, f/2 @ 1/50 sec – hand held – available light

I love New England graveyards, and even more so when they’re covered in snow. The 50mm prime, with it’s short depth of field and natural vignetting is the perfect lens for these old stones.

Old Ghosts – Camden, ME

ISO 100, 50mm prime, f/1.4 @ 1/1600 sec – hand held – available light

Tonight I went hunting with my friend Rolanda, who ultimately had the idea to photograph this location. We had just been shooting in the middle of town, where I had found it difficult to create my daily photograph. A combination of completely new surroundings, low – mixed lighting, the challenge of photographing snow (it tends to “flatten” out), and 0 degree temperatures all made it a little difficult to work effectively. Luckily we drove to this new area, and I immediately found my shot. I have wanted to photograph a scene like this for some time, and am delighted to have finally done so.

Hovering – Camden, ME
ISO 640, 24-70 @ 24mm, f/5 @ 15.0 sec – sticks – available light

Photographing a new place, on the other side of the country, in freezing cold on Christmas eve, is just about the most fun I can have taking pictures. Well below freezing, and I hardly even noticed. An awesome experience. Tonight is also only the second time I’ve effectively captured the stars in a way that I found pleasing.

Waiting to Fly – Camden Harbor, ME

ISO 500, 24-70 @ 24mm, f/5.6 @ 13.0 sec – sticks – available light (street lamps and the stars)

Dedicated to my friend Rolanda, who more than anyone else, makes me think about ghost(s).

Ghosts in The East – Camden, ME

ISO 800, 24-70 @ 24mm, f/3.2 @ 1.3 sec – hand held – available light (tungsten porch lights)