Darkroom

I went to darkroom to print some photos today. They raised price! Now it costs $13 per an hour for color darkroom. But it is not a big problem. I guess it is still good deal. My concern is that someday they have to close all darkroom. I started c-prints a few years ago as a pastime. I was not serious at all. Then, I realized I really liked it. I like it not only because of its quality but also because of its process. It is a slow way to materialize what you shoot. It start with film in your camera, processing at lab, printing contact sheet, editing, and ends with printing in darkroom. My favorite moment of this process is when I look through contact sheets before going to bed. It is time when I review my photos. I see good lighting, interesting composition, fantastic smile, some failures, and some hint to improve. This is how I developed my view as a photographer. So, I don't know what I would do without darkroom. I hope they last longer than my career.
ょう貸し暗室でカラープリントしてきました。いきなり値上げ！一時間あたり１３ドルになりましたって、そんなにたいした影響は無いんですが、この先彼らの商売が先細りして閉鎖になると困ります。というのは、ここ２年くらいずっとカラープリントを自分でやってて、だんだん面白くなって来て、どんどんプリントしてるうちに作品がまとまってきたからです。撮ってから仕上げるまでに、フィルム現像に始まり、ベタ焼き（フィルムサイズのプリント、とでも言いましょうか）、じっくりと見て選んで、実際にプリント、という過程をたどります。その最中で画面の構成や光の具合などを確認したり、よくないところを分析して次につなげたりといった学習、研究をするわけですよ。そこがおもしろいなぁといつもわくわくするんです。だから暗室がなくなったら困ります。がんばってくれ！俺も仕事持って来れるように頑張るからさ。

Taryn Simon

I went to see Taryn Simon's solo exhibit at Whitney Museum. I was so shocked with her strength and view as an artist. They are about hidden goverment institutions or unfamiliar places to public. I also went to her lecture at Aperture Gallery the other day (yes, I am so into her photographs.) She said she and her assistant spent long time to get permit to access those places. Then, she photographed them and chose just one good pic. Just one!? after all the hustle of letters, calls, e-mails, and traveling? She also said she failed at some places. She has courage and vision to choose just one photograph to represent each place and not to choose one if it is not good enough. And her photographs are dark, sharp, somewhat funny in dry way, and obscure. Those photos show exactly the way she sees the places. No flattering at all. I haven't been through none of those process. Although I am happy with my portfolio now, I feel I have been lazy. In other words, there is a lot of ways for me to progress. This notion doesn't change either the way I shoot or the way I see right now but it did inspire me. I am so glad that there are so many great photographers shooting fantastic photos. I want to be as good as them!!!
ホイットニー美術館でやってるTaryn Simonの展示を見てきました。すごかった。写真一点がそれぞれの撮影場所を表してるんだけど、その潔さに感動。撮影した場所は表に出ない政府機関や民間の建物。そこに入るために長い時間かけて交渉した後、でかい荷物かついで旅行してやっと撮って一枚だけ選ぶ。一枚だけ！？で、その写真全部がとにかくもう鋭い。と同時にどこか面白くて、ぱっと見ただけで『なんじゃこりゃ？』って思わせるような力がある。そして美しい。全体の印象としては研ぎすまされ鈍く光る刀。とにかく、すごかった。写真ってすごい！！俺もこんなになりてぇって思いました。まだまだいっぱいやることある！って嬉しくなりましたね。ありがとう！！