On my way out of the apartment, a colorful pile of stuff greeted me. Of course I had to take a photo of it.
Why?
More than ever before, I’m in my “nothing” phase. I enjoy being entertained by what feels like void empty spaces. By observing this –– the discarded and taken for granted –– it’s as if I’m peeking at the edges of reality.
Once out in the street, I was back in familiar territory.
I didn’t have much of a plan other than knowing I wanted to walk. No schedule, no goal. No nothing other than being present with my camera.
A few test shots, making sure that I have my distances right. Establishing myself in place.
Hanoi will always hold a special place in my heart, as it was here where my photography took a huge shift.
My first photo series, finding pleasure in photographing the same place over and over again.
Almost a decade later, I feel more confident than ever in my process.
Embodied, dynamic. The fears of approaching strangers, long gone. Able to talk about this place in ways that feel authentic to me, and understanding what before I could barely even glimpse.
I recognize that photography is just as much about keeping myself regulated while so many inputs come my way, as it is about pressing the shutter of my camera.
