What’s Next?
To follow up on my last correspondence and where we left off; “What is next? What are my plans for my work in the future?”
As I previously mentioned, this is not the easiest question to answer. Let’s first start with what I know that I have planned for this year.
I have plans for a week long trip to Saguaro NP, in Tucson, AZ, and the “Airplane Graveyard” there, then to Joshua Tree NP, CA and Petrified Forrest NP, including several Route 66 locations on the return to Santa Fe. I also have a return trip to The Needles section of Canyonlands NP, UT in the works. Taking on the hikes to Chesler Park and Confluence Point.
For my annual trip following Labor Day Weekend, I’m trying to decide between Badlands NP, SD or a return to The Grand Escalante and Staircase region of Southern Utah. Of course, amidst these more extravagant trips I will continue most weekends to work on the many ongoing series of work and locations that are more easily accessible.
Brontos, The Rock Shop, Holbrook, AZ. Scan of my contact.
Captured a couple weeks ago when returning from Phoenix.
As far as my plans for my work and the new endeavors. Let’s start with endeavors…
Over the last two years I’ve begun offering workshops. Workshops are always an exciting endeavor. Being asked to participate and assist in the development and evolution of another’s creative process is an honor. To be able to pass along one’s own knowledge and see the growth in another over the course of a few hours or days is extremely fulfilling and very rewarding.
Whether it be guiding shoots to many of the locations that I frequently visit, giving instruction on operating panoramic, pinhole and view cameras, teaching film processing and darkroom printing or finishing methods and techniques, it is definitely a venture that I plan to continue.
On location with workshop student last Summer
I have also begun a collaborative project with a close friend. After a life/career in commercial art and design and studio photography, he has teadily lost his eyesight due to a hereditary condition. Completely losing sight in one eye and barely having “pinhole” sight in the other.
He came into my lab early last year asking for help from my wife and I on a couple series of works that he had compiled over the years; interested in completing them while he still had some small ability to see. This really hit me and made me ask myself, “what would I do if my eyesight failed me?”
It not only inspired me to assist him with what he already had, but to also investigate how I could encourage him to move forward with new ideas and endeavors. So, as of last August we have been photographing together at least one week of each month with plans to continue working on this current series thru this August, and begin a new one after.
The fulfillment that I have received from this partnership has inspired me to pursue more collaborative projects with peers, clients and those who have interest in my work. Because of the interest in, and success of my own work, it is my hope to bring recognition to theirs through possible avenues of exhibition and in so doing, ultimately create our own collective group.
Well, I feel that’s a lot for everyone to digest for now. Next month I’ll let you in on this year’s upcoming exhibition(s?) and the plans for evolving my work.
Many thanks for your interest! Until next time… Be Kind!
-Cody