“Photographs open doors into the past, but they also allow a look into the future.” - Sally Mann

In deciphering my own stagnation I reframed my conception of photography itself, and this led to a cascade of reframed approach. I burnt it all down and started over. I don’t use the same gear. I don’t edit in the same way. Knowing my purpose helped me choose more appropriate tools. Not technically better tools but more pure tools, tools fitting my intention. As of the latter half of 2014 I primarily shoot manual and primarily on film. Less precise, more messy, more random, but with me feeling more fully connected to the end result. I want more of a bicycle than a semi-truck: I still want to race on my own power and carve my own paths, not just push a pedal between the lines. Did it overexpose? Good. Light leak? Good. It’s all part of a controlled chaos of my own doing. Humans are ultimately viewing these photos, so let’s act like humans are taking them. Post-processing has gone from homework to, well, nothing. Different game, different rules. I still shoot digital as well, both DSLR and iPhone, but it’s no longer the default. The conditions and intention dictate the approach. I grab a camera half based on its character and half based on what I’m trying to say. More paintbrushes, less power tools.

Photography is ultimately an interpretation; an opinion, not a formula. There’s two sides to this, the why and the how. Every photographer is answering these two questions, whether cognizant of it or not. I feel like I have answers again. They are imperfect. They are flawed. They are personal. They are mine. I hope you enjoy them.

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Austin, Texas