Inside all of us, is a wild thing

In less than 24 hours I will be getting on a train to go to Paris. I can't help but be excited to the point that it's almost unbearable. I know that we're supposed to be going to at least two photography museums, and I'm so excited for the chance to meet Marc Riboud. It's such a privilege to have to opportunity to be in a place that is so inspirational and has inspired so many of the photographers that I love and have learned about. I can't wait to see if I can find some of the same streets and places that Brassai shot, so long ago. The funny part of it, is that I find myself being more excited about the photography museums we'll be attending than the Louvre. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the Louvre has some photographic works, and I can't wait to go and see some of the master paintings that I have always loved. But I'm ready to see some silver gelatin prints, and works by contemporary photographers that I have always dreamed of seeing in person.

My entire stay here so far has been so much more than I could have ever expected. The work load is intense and never seems to stop. But it's serving as a constant reminder to myself of how much I love being busy and making work constantly. There's also quite a few limitations here with the facilities, and they're radically different from what I'm used to at the campus in Atlanta. It can be quite frustrating at times, but in spite of it I see myself finding ways around it and using more unconventional methods to get the work done. I've really been enjoying scanning my negatives on the flatbed scanner as opposed to the negative scanner. I love how dirty and grainy they come out, with smudges and odd manifestations. I love alternative processes and scratching and messing with negatives, but using the flatbed is almost like getting the best of both worlds. I can get the appearance I want in the negative but I don't actually have to screw up my negative. The only problem is not getting a silver gelatin print from it, but I'm sure I could find a way to make one digitally.

The other day our photo trip was to Fort Le Boux, but when we arrived we weren't able to get in due to the weather. Luckily, I had gone earlier that day for a field trip, but had really been looking forward to shooting in a much softer light so I only have a few photos from my first trip. Since we weren't able to get in, we all split into groups and decided to wander around. I should have known from the start that it would lead to something interesting. We wandered through the woods and found a waterfall running into a pool amidst moss covered trees and soft soil. The next thing I knew we were swimming in it, fully clothed, freezing and howling like dogs. I don't know when the last time I felt so alive was before I came to France.

I really love the direction my work is going in and I can't wait for the next impulsive adventure to arise, even if it means I have to ride in the back of the van again.