01.28.06
Bookin’ it
As my book deadline looms near, the tasks are changing; the writing is wrapping up, the image placement is in full swing, and the visions of the finished product are a tempting dream. With my assistant Leandra’s help, we’re collecting the last of the images from 30-odd photographers, while I use my new Nikon D200 to shoot figures of plastic cameras, accessories, negatives, rolls of film and the like. And then there’s the frustration of waiting for a sunny day in Seattle in January to test out infrared film in a Holga.
Writing a book like this is an incredible challenge. For months I’ve been stuffing my eyes and head with images, names, articles, information and ideas. I’ve been buying books, magazines, cameras, and film with abandon, all in the name of The Book. And I’ve been organizing all this with 15 years of experience in my head to try to make it interesting and accessible to a broad range of readers. Quite a job!
But there are moments in the process of giddy excitement at what I’m calling work these days. Like the other day, when I took the couple hundred little thumbnail prints of the images I’ve collected and spread them all out on a table, and started choosing what to put where in the book. What could be more fun than swimming in a sea of fabulous plastic camera images, and having the privilege of putting them into print? Thanks to everyone who’s contributed!
But still lots more to do, so back to work on a Saturday night!
~Michelle