Foto Future

There will always be a place for printed photographs and therefore printed photo books. That place may seemingly diminish in the growing array of digital options. However, there is nothing that can replace the feeling, not just the actual weight in hand, of a book. Books are history, past, present and future.

With that said, I believe in ten years time we're going to be beyond the iPhone or Kindle. These are just passing trends on the way to the next faster and "better" thing. Virtual books or holographic-like books have an opportunity here. That would allow readers to step into the experience of the book, quite literally, gaining a gallery-like experience to each individual user.

If we look at what is happening in our media world, the entertainment world, the world of education and even at people socially, it is evident that individualism is being accentuated, encouraged and understood as norm. There are many living attune to the belief that as individuals, we are one. So either way or side (as they stand now) we look at this situation, there is a distinct possibility that printed and virtual books/photo books be part of the new way we live.

It might sound a little science fiction right now, but at the rate at which technology and consumer needs are growing, it's plain to see how what seemed impossible and sci-fi like in the 60's or 70's is pretty close to what many experience as a reality now.

In the future, reality and accepted truths about reality will no longer be challenged but changed. It's happening fast, it's going to happen, and it's happening now.


Find out more about the future of photo books and get in the conversations surrounding the topic at RESOLVE, the LiveBooks Blog:

http://blog.livebooks.com/2009/12/want-to-be-part-of-our-new-crowd-sourced-blog-post-tell-us-what-you-think-about-the-future-of-photobooks/

looking up

Left gives me a bad feeling. Right seems a little boring. Down just reminds me of gravity. So, where is one to look when they don't like the scenery but wants to remain in the present? Why not to the torrents of meteorological magic. The gifts may periodically cost us material matter but that pales in comparison to the marvel humans have been spectating on for centuries. For in that enveloping existence in the sky, we might find inspiring colour, unmistakable perfection, unrepeatable forms and a place to happily place ourselves in the present. 

[ symphony ]

 [ underneath ]

[ turbulence ]

line

A system is defined by the growing popularity of the wiki as, is a set of interacting or interdependent entities forming an integrated whole. One could conclude the sum of these wholes is existence or reality. For as long as humankind has been documented, we have devised systems to measure, and more importantly, prove our own existence. What are we with these systems? What would be without these systems? Systems of lines, forms, times, color, all that is in existence, or I should say, awareness, has a system affixed alongside for our understanding. Yet I'm reminded of the saying, the more we understand the less we know, and vice versa the cliche goes. For me, all of these ideas and questions are just the starting line. As all that originates from the same place doesn't necessarily have to land in the same place. There is no system that dictates that is there? Chaos is beautiful.

[ find om here]

 

 [ perfect spot ]

 

 [ waiting zone ]

 

[ lego ]

theme

A dominating theme is beginning to show itself. This obsession is pure and honest in intent, manifesting itself in every way possible. I can't describe it any other way than by photographing. This thing, this theme, is something I don't know why I'm interested in, but I have to follow the trail. It's the only path I have laid before me. I can only see one step at a time. There is no light at the end but I believe I can one day find it. There are just some themes we can't wrap our intellect around. They are to be intuited.

 I suppose a person cannot be any more vague than what I've just described. So let me try to show you what I'm talking about.

[ hanging there ]

 

[ up over there ]

 

[ between the two of us ]

 

[ blue soldier ]

 

 [ standing before ]

turn around

Looking back is something I don't really like to do. There are too many errs to find, different paths to see I can no longer do anything about. All I thought looking back did was find better routes and therefore more reasons to beat myself up over present predicaments. This sort of rationalizing goes just the same for making work, photographic processes and of course, life. Yet I continue to hear, read and find the advice from artists and people I respect and admire to simply turn around. Look the other way before calling it a day. When you think you've got it, turn around. Things of this nature. Being stubborn, I hesitantly gave it a shot. Sure I feel it's my duty to find and capture what some might miss, but wowee, I didn't even know what I personally had been missing. New things; exciting things! Giving a situation, a scene, a feeling a thorough going over is sure to be challenging, and there's nothing like a challenge to push some buttons, question motives and forge through feelings of discomfort into new territory. The going might at times be slow, but from here on, I now believe it's better to be thorough. So forgive me if I'm running a few minutes late, ok?

[ connected ]

 

[ boys salon ]

 

[ cardinal ]

 

[ building ]

 

'Untitled'

Why is anything what it is? As far as I have gathered, we must mutually decide to agree on what something is or we can mutually decide to disagree. Either option is simply a choice and nothing more than that. How we choose to describe our reality manifests our own destiny. What really is there then? A form, chaos, nothing, everything? I honestly and often believe our minds are not meant to be wrapped around things like this. We can philosophize about it all day, night and until our bodies wear back into the earth. I go back and forth on this, but I'm not sure knowing more about reality or truth gets us anywhere forward. To this knowing, I am referring to knowing of the mind. With that, let's consider knowing with, for lack of a better term, being. To know with our being what is, bears no label, word or even image. Yet, I am compelled to try to accomplish this. It helps me enjoy the ride...and I hope it helps you feel the ride as much as I do.

[ three rocks and a tree ]

[ constructed island ]

[ this is art ]

[ this is architecture ]

Chinatown

Venturing into crowded places is something I tend to avoid. Though I continue to maintain the desire to experience cultural events that draw large masses of people. Bringing my camera along suddenly made the mission to face my fear of large crowds not only much easier but a whole lot of fun! So I meandered and stumbled amongst the crowd, closer to the edges so that I could watch the frenzy, feel the energy and try to see it all.

[ shooter ]

 [ yellow ]

 

[ camo ]

[ outside reflections ]

[ red smoke ]

[ see through ]

[ they were two ]