Making work with mak
Starts with the details- Nikon ZF- Nikon Z 35 1.4
I’ve been thinking a lot about making this journal more focused on elopements, and there will certainly be more of those stories here. But portraiture keeps pulling me back. I’m too inspired by people, faces, conversations, and the experience of making something together to ever leave it behind. Like I mentioned in my last post, I love nature in my work but portraiture is atop the list as well. The conversations, the friendships, and ultimately the human experience are things I pursue as often as time allows. Don’t get me wrong, & I don’t think anyone knows this about me but I actually prefer to be alone more often than not. I pride myself in being very personable, some might say even to a fault, but I was raised to be respectful and how can that happen if I can’t give those around me my attention? I am not saying I am great at it, but it’s something important to me. I am gearing up for lots of work in the fall, but as I was perusing my hard drive in search of images for my friend Carter, I found myself re opening and re editing some images I made with Mak and my previously owned Nikon ZF. I find it very interesting to look back and the work I make with different cameras throughout the years, but that’s not what this is about. This is about making work with fellow creatives, fellow photographer, and someone I consider a friend after all, Mak had to put up with me for an hour or so.
XPAN ratios are my jam!
I should back up a little to explain how I was lucky enough to meet and photograph Mak. I mean, all good stories need a beginning. I am trying to lean into my first reactions more and I can’t learning how to just “ask the question”. What the hell does that even mean you are probably saying to yourself, and that’s fair. I was scrolling on FB for who knows what reason, and saw an interesting profile photo as a suggested friend and new immediately, I wanted to get to touch and just ask. Worst case, the answer is no. The best case answer can be found in the images I share here from that day. Mak doesn’t miss! Killed it the entire time. Never complained once about my ideas and suggestions. I was inspired and wished I was even a fraction as comfortable in my own skin. We flowed frame after frame after frame. Even brought out the Yashica Mat 124g for a few frames. The lighting was good this day but I always reach for some off camera flash in this case being my Westcott FJ 400 but as I am writing this I have considered selling it off and going back to something else. Time will tell but lets send these photos. Buckle up buttercup, that heat is incoming!
KILLED IT!
A huge shout out and thank you to Mak for being down to create and for letting my work feel like me for the first time in a minute.
If you like this type of entry, I have plenty more I can share. Just let a fella know.
Later Neighbor,
J