Weeping Things in Focus

\“It’s very hard to describe what I’m looking for. Something that feels both familiar and strange at the same time.” — Gregory Crewdson

“Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.” — Wayne Dyer

 

In this episode, Antonio and Ward talk about noticing what makes us stop and look—and being willing to follow it somewhere unexpected. Antonio shares discoveries from his Art of Noticing class, where students found photographs in everyday surroundings, and describes his experiments with nighttime photography inspired by Trent Parke. With his upcoming trip to Japan just weeks away, Ward shares his plans for photographing during a longer return visit and gathering material for future zines.

A visit to Weeping Water, Nebraska, gives Antonio a lesson in reconsidering expectations when the black-and-white photographs he envisioned begin to come alive in color. He and Ward discuss processing as part of discovering what drew them to a subject, how viewers bring their own experiences to photographs, and the satisfaction of finding a way forward after an initially disappointing edit. Ward closes with a look at Dan Winters’ The Grey Ghost, whose black-and-white New York photographs prompt reflections on how knowing a place changes our experience of its images.

 

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Learning to Notice and Teaching Photography

Southeast Community College — photography classes — Antonio discusses completing his Art of Noticing class and preparing a class on making photo zines.

Southeast Community College — personal interest classes — Continuing education offerings in photography and other creative subjects.

 

Ward’s Upcoming Japan Trip

Gaijin: A Tourist’s Brief Urban Fever Dream of Japan — Ward’s first Japan zine, with further volumes planned as his familiarity with the country develops.

“Point of Departure: Japan” — Ward’s reflections on photographing Japan as a visitor.

“The 1.4% Solution: How I Found a Zine Inside 2,400 Images” — Ward’s account of identifying themes and selecting photographs for his Japan zine.

 

Cameras, Lenses, and Creative Constraints

Fujifilm X-S20 — One of the camera bodies Ward plans to take to Japan.

Fujifilm X-E3 — Ward’s camera for his restricted black-and-white setup.

Sigma 50–120mm F2.8 DC OS Contemporary — The compact telephoto zoom Ward is considering for Japan.

 

Night Photography and Trent Parke