I lied. There are eleven words and photographers. But who is counting? I did this same film as a YouTube Live last week or the week before but I liked the idea enough to redo it here with more information.
This is a work in progress, and probably always will be, but the AG23 Zine collaboration is one of the best projects I've ever been involved in. Like many good projects, this one is somewhat complicated and somewhat unique and it takes a bit of explaining. My goal with this film, part one, is to give a little background on what AG23 is and how it came to be. The players, the parts, and the process. With a simple goal of promoting understanding through dialogue and art, AG23 is open to anyone with a story to tell. A twice-a-year, 2000 copy 6x9, softcover with #70 paper and a matte cover. (In a slipcase!) A non-precious object meant to educate, illuminate, and inspire.
If you endure all twenty-plus minutes of this you deserve a cash reward. Tough love. Remember that. Tough love. I know tough love is not something readily available in the online world where the facade of ease and perfection is the norm. Long term projects are one of the most rewarding things you can do with a camera, and perhaps one of the most important. Regardless of your skill level, you too can proceed with in-depth work. (But it might not be easy.)
I've known Andrew Kaufman for years. In fact, I traveled to Panama with Andrew in 2010 to see for myself what all the canal fuss was about. We drank ice cold beers, wrote in our journals, and spent DAYS making pictures. I knew Andrew's canal project was perfect for AG23 and was something that more people should be exposed to. The canal doesn't make headlines here in the states, but it should.
Good grief. If you watch this entire thing I'm nominating you for a humanitarian award. Part Two in all its glory. There are more specifics here but there is still a lot to cover in regard to doing long-term work. Each of us navigates photography in our own way but I've learned a thing or two that might be of benefit. Take my opinion for what it is, my opinion nothing more.
