(Photographic) Year In Review

Photo: © Stan Banos

Well, must say I did way, way better in procuring new images this year than I had dared think possible- all in a city now bereft of over half its downtown population and services (no joke). I actually managed to get fifty genuine keepers this year, which amazes me more than anyone- a guy who for decades struggled for 2-3-4 per year (if lucky)- while living in NYC no less! I'd like to think it's because of a heightened sense of urgency (mortality looms), but I'm trying no harder now than at any other time previous! In part, it's the annual photo op events held here, but maybe this whole color thing agrees with me more than I realize, don't know; whatever it is, just hope it continues- cause I can't continue being this lucky indefinitely...

That said, I didn't exactly succeed at getting any of it actually... seen- ya know, the whole bleepin' purpose of photography! Send it out and it gets sent back in your face... This year I really got creative in the self abuse arena- I actually started sending out the pdf for my zine/wanna be book Broken City! which I'm fairly pleased with. I like making books/zines, and that was a particular challenge trying to corral a whole bunch of loosely related issues into one coherent storyline- using nothing but pictures. Think I kinda pulled it off, least, like to think so... 

I do miss having (not so much making, but having) actual prints though, it's where photography ultimately shines, as in- show me what ya got, close up and personal! Rich, sensual, satisfying, the ultimate culmination of everything that went into pressing that shutter- all the hope, dreams and potential made flesh despite every technical, personal and aesthetic problem that stood in the way! 

The end of 2025 will also pose new possibilities (and problems) for sure- retirement! Never done it. More time to go out on the road promoting my: books, prints, exhibits and speaking/lecture tours, uh-huh. Which reminds me... all those authors, actors and artists with the nerve to actually moan and groan about having to go out and promote their work on (a paid) tour- a pox on the whole lot of 'em...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

PS- Saw that poster a half hour previous in a poorly lit local, carefully untaped and walked about some seeing if I could find it a better venue. The gasoline station seemed worth a try, so I retaped and shot away. The guy on the left center emerged from his gasoline hut to see what the hell I was doing- looked at it, looked at me, and walked on back. Didn't realize how well the blue tape complemented the blue stripes of the station till I got home.