karen maze photoblog

“It isn’t what a picture is of, it is what it is about.” - John Szarkowski

Thanks to Eric Chuang of  Pixfeed LA for posting this quote today.

In this age of globalization, the world is smaller and more accessible than ever. Information rains down all day long. It’s interesting then, that even today people find nothing more gratifying than going local. Maybe it’s because even in this age of 24-hour non-stop niche news, it can still be hard to find information about that coffee shop or hair dresser on the corner, never mind photos of them. At its worst, globalization means homogenization and impersonalization. Could it be that those local vendors and personalities represent the last stand of individuality? Whatever the case, this desire for the unique and personal has helped to feed the trend to buy, support, and go local. It’s a powerful idea, and the fact that it persists in today’s global culture is reassuring and inspiring.

Why not go local with your photography? Document your city, your neighborhood, and your block. Choose a theme. It could be anything! Make it personal to you, and specific. The possibilities are endless. Give yourself time to explore the theme. You’ll know when you’re done.

Your checklist: A camera, lens, fresh batteries, memory card/film, and passion for your subject. Don’t get hung up on equipment. Keep it simple and use what you’ve got or can borrow. Some days you might have to ‘force’ inspiration. But don’t despair, because that’s when commitment to your project and your craft kicks in. Inspiration will come. The crucial thing is to keep shooting.

Most importantly, forget everything you have been told about what makes a good photo and shoot from the heart. You just might touch somebody else’s.

A selection of images from my ongoing study of Aerialists and TSNY LA in particular.

-km

I was on my way to meet TSNY's Jonathon Conant for the first time when I saw this scene. Taken from behind the school, looking toward Malibu.

This was taken on the night of TSNY LA's opening celebration. Taken from the roof of the Arcade next door.

This is Poptart Sprinkle. She would 'fly' (as trapeze folks call it) at TSNY LA often when I first started taking pics there. Poptart's drive, energy, and creativity make her a force to be reckoned with. She's pushed me to new heights as a photographer.

Poptart on the rings, a shot from our most recent shoot on the beach in Santa Monica.

July 27, 2009…I’ve chosen these photos for my first post as a reminder that sometimes you should just listen to that little voice inside. Don’t question it. Don’t reason with it. Just do what it says.

Like so many photographers starting out, I used to have a lot of angst about what I was doing, what I should be doing, what other people thought I should be doing. Even the simplest of projects felt like an enormous challenge in some way or another. When I wasn’t struggling to overcome my shyness to put myself out there and meet new people, I was stressed out because I had to apply a technique under pressure for the first time - or both. Sometimes I’d wonder why I put myself through it.

I’ve always loved the Santa Monica Pier. The iconic status, the beach atmosphere, the history…It’s also one of the most photographed places in LA. I spent a good deal of time thinking about unique projects I could do involving the Pier, but none of them pulled strongly enough. Then one day about a year and a half ago, I heard that Trapeze School New York was going to be opening its Los Angeles location right next to the arcade. How cool! I didn’t know anything about trapeze, but I knew that I wanted to photograph it. A quick email later, I was in touch with Jonathon Conant at Trapeze School New York, and he invited me down. It was a pivotal move for me - and believe me I was nervous. But after one day of shooting at TSNY LA, I thought to myself ‘this is what I’ve been practicing for all this time. And it’s fun!’

That’s what it comes down to. Photography and all it entails can be an incredible pain in the butt. At the end of the day, if I’m doing this right, it should still be fun. So far, so good.

-km