Amanda Koster: Can I Come with You?
Speaking of new works of art, my friend Amanda Koster is coming out with her first book next month. By day, Amanda is a full-time assignment photographer. She dedicates the rest of her time to social documentary (and cooking fabulous meals). This book, made up of her photographs and personal journal entries, describes how everyone use their creative talents to change the world.
I love Amanda’s work — in fact, I have at least 7 of her photos hanging in my house right now — more than any other photographer (including me!).
Amanda’s book is available for presale at her publisher’s web site. She’s also having a lecture & signing on September 18. Those who buy a ticket get a free book (or, if you prefer, you get a free ticket for buying the book). Either way, go here right now to buy one or the other. I’ve already got my order in.
I’ve finally gotten back into editing the 
Let’s take a look at the ways that the temporal nature of film changed the ways I work.
I have been asked to review the past several years of photographic work and to choose 10 photos to publish in a book my photography group is putting together. I had been holding off as I’m not really interested in a book, but today to give it a whirl. Choosing only 10 images from several years of work is a great exercise. It forces me to make a lot of decisions about what I really like most in my work. It also shows me how my tastes have changed - or stayed the same - over time. Finally, it’s an interesting Rorschach test - I never know what patterns will turn up.
Amidst editing 
A camera is nothing more than a rectangle and a little thing that records where you put the rectangle. That’s it. The true art of photography is figuring out where & when to place that rectangle. It doesn’t matter if it’s film or digital, 35mm, 6x9, or 12Mpix. I know this. Yet, sometimes, I allow myself to be seduced by the gear. Gotta stop that.
No drips. No sparks. No light leaks. The 
