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Lunch – Katsuya, 8/07

Making photographs can be almost likened to exercise. Not the same as pumping your blood, but perhaps working on a set of muscles.
Creative muscles.
Of course you all know about the concept of always having your camera with you. It then becomes a natural part of your being. An extension of you. Heck, cell phones are pretty much in that category.

Sometimes if you discover a subject that you can visit repeatedly or a theme that always crops up in your life, you then become familiar with it to a point of the possibility of rediscovery every time you encounter it. The opportunity to keep shooting it, helps you see new things, new facets, and perhaps just a new light depending on the time of day.

Since I was a teenager, a camera has always been by my side. It does help build strong shoulders. Especially when you bring your gear bag on a trip. But this is not about the physical.

As a form of personal discipline, photographing a series of images, or studies of subjects have also been with me forever.For many years, Lunch has been a daily photo shoot. Nothing lit, set, or planned other than vying for a better lit table.The event happens most everyday.

The concept originally was born from being bored at business lunches. Taking photographs gave me something to do. Yes, everyone knew what I was up to after awhile. And the Los Angeles Times began to publish them in the Sunday Magazine. Panoramics either single or in triptychs. I never pitched it, but a friend sent me to the art director and that’s how it started.

And I still photograph lunch. The meals have changed, and it’s not always a business event but it is my (almost) daily photographic workout.

Point of that? Like practicing an instrument or carrying a sketchpad, you can hone your photographic eye, by shooting. A lot.

We’ll tell about all of the best gear to shoot it with, choices in asset management, places to sell ,exhibit or view, and a ton more.

But the best way to make a great image is to know it when you see it. Even in a split second. The decisive moment. Or as JoAnn Verburg,
currently showing at MOMA, has called it the “aha” moment. We’ll be doing a review on this show this week.

So clear off the media cards, make sure you have your batteries charged and Lift your camera, See the photograph, Shoot the image, then Repeat. Lift,Shoot,Repeat.
Feel the burn?

Hey, it’s digital so you can easily be shooting as much as you like.

The hard part will be editing. Or maybe that’ll be the easiest part.
You know the line about a photographers dozen ? Shoot 36, print 12, keep one.
Sure that was film but it’s not so different with digital.
There was an Agave plant on my regular walk in the neighborhood that I would photograph al the time. Probably made 100 exposures.
Printed 2. I think it was one too many.

Well, it’s lunch time where I am and time to grab a bite.