⧉ Learning to see
Welcome to the nineteenth issue of OVERLAP ⧉
Learning to see
The weather was perfect on Saturday. Sunny and dry, but not too hot. I was looking forward to being outside for the day, but it took me forever to leave my apartment in the morning … because I couldn’t decide which camera to bring with me. Would I regret carrying something bulky? Would I wish I had a sharper lens? What kind of images do I want to create? Who am I, even?!
I can’t commit to a camera for a single day without spiraling into an existential crisis.
I’ve also been shopping for a digital camera — a gift for my niece’s birthday. You may not be surprised to hear I spent a couple hours reading reviews, examining product specs, and looking at sample images. The first time I shot a roll of film by myself, I was about her age; this will be her first digital camera, and I would love for her to feel the same creative thrills I experienced more than 30 years ago. It’s likely that she’ll snap a few photos, then go back to climbing the nearest tree … but I can’t help taking the purchasing decision seriously.
Corita Kent used to give her art students a piece of paper with a square opening — she called them “finders” — so they would learn to look at small pieces of the world at a time. Choosing a camera is difficult because it’s choosing a way to see the world, but really, any viewfinder will do. Learning to see is more important than focal length or sensor size.
I eventually left the house, searching for small pieces of the world outside.
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I’d love to hear from you — hit reply or send a message through my website. You can also forward this to a friend or two and invite them to subscribe. If you missed a previous issue, all the archives are online.
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Auntie Jess recommends:
Become a Microscope. I love this enchanting short film about Corita Kent’s art, teaching, and approach to life.
How I Take Photographs. Takeshi Nakamoto’s book condenses advice from street photographer Daido Moriyama into a handful of succinct essays.
The Sweet Flypaper of Life. “This renowned, life-affirming collaboration between artist Roy DeCarava and writer Langston Hughes honors in words and pictures what the authors saw, knew, and felt deeply about life in their city.”
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Thanks for reading — and looking.
Until next time,
Jessica
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