This space is generally used to announce new photo sets on the member’s only site. I’d like to begin using it as a more general, broader topic blog. Starting now.
I’ve been dabbling in NFTs. Mostly to educate myself about this new and expansive technology. I feel strongly that if you don’t endeavor to keep abreast of what’s going on in art and technology that you’ll get left behind. Or at the very least, miss out on some potentially sea changing innovations.
I entered the photo profession just as digital was transitioning to mainstream. Most everyone was still shooting film. Most clients were not comfortable with digital files. I was. I’d been using a Macintosh since 1989. Photoshop since I could afford a computer that could run it. I think I still have my 3.0 floppy disks around here somewhere. When the digital revolution hit, I was positioned to embrace it. And to help photographers I assisted to embrace it. The new profession of Digital Tech on photo sets emerged and allowed me to pay rent while honing my image making skills. Working alongside photographers, managing their data and workflows, helping them operate their cameras. The photographers that survived, embraced and learned this new technology as innately as they knew film. The ones that didn’t, didn’t. It reminds me a lot of this time that we’re in now. And its not just about the NFT. Its about everything that surrounds it and supports it. The concept of the blockchain, cryptocurrency, wallets, marketplaces, minting, etc, etc. Its a whole world. Just like digital photography isn’t just about the digital camera. Its about everything that surrounds and supports it. File/data management, workflow, filetypes, compression algorithms, colorspaces, etc, etc.
I see people on line all over the place, shit talking NFTs and it feels so familiar. I remember when computers were just “fancy typewriters”. I remember when the internet was just a fad. I remember when people said that no one would want to shop online when you could just go to the store. It’s completely natural I suppose. We don’t embrace change as a species. We’re resistant to it. But the cliche holds true. The only constant is change. You can try to swim along with it, or you can get pulled under and left behind. I don’t know what will be come of this current NFT/Art phenomenon. It may all collapse. Cryptocurrency may collapse. It may all get regulated out of existence. Web3 may never come to fruition. But I do know, that the lessons and innovations that are happening at breakneck speed will carry on. They’ll be applicable in the next iteration. I do kinda, really love the juxtaposition of this brand new medium coupled with my preferred medium of 1860’s wet plate.
But hey, what do I know? I’m just a guy with a camera who pushes a button for a living, who’s just a little bit curious.
Enough of that, about the below image. I was commissioned to shoot a cover for a newsletter by The Society of Janus. This was my favorite shot of the evening. Pictured is Leena, an accomplished Shibari rigger and model. We shot a number of poses/ties that night. One of which ended up being the cover. I may share that shot later. This is a 4x5 inch TinType and available to purchase as an NFT on OpenSea. Many of my NFTs come with unlockable content that allow you to receive the original, physical plate. Which is part of the reason why they’re priced as high as they are. They’re one of a kind, physical objects, represented digitally with a high resolution file and minted on the Ethereum block chain. Also, this one is particularly dear to me.
When you look closely, you’ll notice rope marks on her body from previous ties. You’ll also notice a fragment of my fingerprint on the lefthand edge. This happens sometimes. I probably should wear gloves when shooting tintypes, but I don’t. I love the tension in the arch of her back. The tie to her hair, and her toe hooked on that rope. You can’t hold these poses for long. Tintype is not a particularly quick thing to shoot. Timing was everything and tightly coordinated. There’s a lot going on here. Probably one of my favorite images of all time.
