2024 04 08
Sun behind trees. Grand Detour, Illinois. February, 2024. © Clayton Hauck
I’m out today, heading home from my cookbook shoot in Nashville and chasing this total solar eclipse. I’ve never experienced one before so will be sure to report back tomorrow and let y’all know if my life is now forever changed and I have a new perspective on everything. Or maybe I’ll simply never return? We’ll see!
-Clayton
2024 04 04
Well, it finally happened. Was it inevitable? No, actually! But I’m (so far) very glad to be back shooting film again.
I’ll admit it, I regret ditching film over a decade ago now. Digital was just so easy, required for every paid job I’ve done, and in most ways better than film. Of course, this is subjective and many people will disagree (myself sometimes included). The one thing film has that digital never will is je ne sais quoi, or rizz as the kids are now calling it (I think?). Sure, you can fake it in post but what’s the fun in that?!
I could probably go way deep on this topic and perhaps soon I will as I start to get some rolls developed, assuming this camera I picked up at an estate sale even works, but for now I’ll keep it brief and proclaim my excitement to be back to film. The camera I purchased (for way too much money) is a Contax T2, which was always a dream camera even though it’s a trendy motherfucker and way overpriced for what it is. I don’t care, though, it’s beautiful (assuming it works)!
Photo of an old car for sale that I would’ve made with a film camera if I’d had one at the time. Grand Detour, Illinois. February, 2024. © Clayton Hauck
Well, it finally happened. Was it inevitable? No, actually! But I’m (so far) very glad to be back shooting film again.
I’ll admit it, I regret ditching film over a decade ago now. Digital was just so easy, required for every paid job I’ve done, and in most ways better than film. Of course, this is subjective and many people will disagree (myself sometimes included). The one thing film has that digital never will is je ne sais quoi, or rizz as the kids are now calling it (I think?). Sure, you can fake it in post but what’s the fun in that?!
I could probably go way deep on this topic and perhaps soon I will as I start to get some rolls developed, assuming this camera I picked up at an estate sale even works, but for now I’ll keep it brief and proclaim my excitement to be back to film. The camera I purchased (for way too much money) is a Contax T2, which was always a dream camera even though it’s a trendy motherfucker and way overpriced for what it is. I don’t care, though, it’s beautiful (assuming it works)!
The first roll is already rolling to a lab in Cleveland (shoutout Dodd Camera, I’m open for sponsorships!) to get developed. Amazing how this once ubiquitous process is now a specialty service. I will report back soon with some results.
Another observation was how annoyed Allison was upon my return home and excitement with my new (hopefully functional) Contax. She rightfully so gave me shit for my constant negativity towards her anytime she busted out a film camera over the years. Damn. It’s so true and regrettable! Instead of getting excited for her to be shooting film I was secretly jealous of her for using it and had been knocking it as expensive or difficult or whatever as a self defense mechanism. Ugh. I’m sorry, Allison! Let’s go make some pretty film photos together!
Anyway, let’s hope this damn things works or I’ll be back soon to complain about how stupid film photography is.
-Clayton
2024 03 12
Recently, I asked ChatGPT if it knew me and its reply made me wonder if it perhaps has access to alternate universe. It told me:
Clayton Hauck is a photographer based in Chicago known for his documentary-style photography and his work capturing the city's culture, events, and everyday life. He has contributed to various publications and projects, showcasing his unique perspective on Chicago's urban landscape. Additionally, Hauck is the co-founder of the popular photography project and blog, "Everybody Street Chicago," which celebrates the diverse street photography scene in the city.
My follow-up: What is Everybody Street Chicago?
My apologies for the typo. "Everybody Street Chicago" is a photography project and blog founded by Clayton Hauck and others. The project aims to showcase the diverse street photography scene in Chicago by featuring the work of various photographers who capture candid moments, scenes, and characters encountered on the city streets. It serves as a platform for photographers to share their perspectives and stories through their images, offering a unique glimpse into the vibrant urban life of Chicago.
Me again: That’s cool! When was this project founded?
The "Everybody Street Chicago" project was founded in 2010. Since then, it has grown to become a prominent platform for street photographers to share their work and perspectives on the dynamic urban landscape of Chicago.
None of this is true but my hunch is the AI dataset has some fragmented information about my past, including both that I have been a street photographer and that I started a website called EveryoneisFamous.com. The website was essentially how I self-taught myself photography and where I regularly posted my photos which mostly consisted of nightlife, parties, and music scenes, but not street photography.
This simple inaccuracy got me thinking about what my life could have been if instead of focusing on the party scene I instead focused on street photography and started a website revolving around that. It’s a fairly common consideration I’ve been having lately—choosing between art photography and commercial photography—so when AI suggested I perhaps lived an alternate timeline, it seemed both relevant and plausible!
Perhaps there’s still time for me to get that popular street photography project up and running.
-Clayton
Two people walk down a street in Grand Detour, Illinois. February, 2024. © Clayton Hauck
Recently, I asked ChatGPT if it knew me and its reply made me wonder if it perhaps has access to alternate universe. It told me:
Clayton Hauck is a photographer based in Chicago known for his documentary-style photography and his work capturing the city's culture, events, and everyday life. He has contributed to various publications and projects, showcasing his unique perspective on Chicago's urban landscape. Additionally, Hauck is the co-founder of the popular photography project and blog, "Everybody Street Chicago," which celebrates the diverse street photography scene in the city.
My follow-up: What is Everybody Street Chicago?
My apologies for the typo. "Everybody Street Chicago" is a photography project and blog founded by Clayton Hauck and others. The project aims to showcase the diverse street photography scene in Chicago by featuring the work of various photographers who capture candid moments, scenes, and characters encountered on the city streets. It serves as a platform for photographers to share their perspectives and stories through their images, offering a unique glimpse into the vibrant urban life of Chicago.
Me again: That’s cool! When was this project founded?
The "Everybody Street Chicago" project was founded in 2010. Since then, it has grown to become a prominent platform for street photographers to share their work and perspectives on the dynamic urban landscape of Chicago.
None of this is true but my hunch is the AI dataset has some fragmented information about my past, including both that I have been a street photographer and that I started a website called EveryoneisFamous.com. The website was essentially how I self-taught myself photography and where I regularly posted my photos which mostly consisted of nightlife, parties, and music scenes, but not street photography.
This simple inaccuracy got me thinking about what my life could have been if instead of focusing on the party scene I’d focused on street photography and started a website revolving around that. It’s a fairly common consideration I’ve been having lately—between art photography and commercial photography—so when AI suggested I perhaps lived an alternate timeline, it seemed both relevant and plausible!
Perhaps there’s still time for me to get that popular street photography project up and running.
-Clayton
2024 02 24
When I was a young pretentious film student, American Beauty was my favorite film.
I think this video, by Noah Kalina, is a masterpiece.
-Clayton
The Rock River as it snakes through Grand Detour, Illinois. January, 2024. © Clayton Hauck
When I was a young pretentious film student, American Beauty was my favorite film.
I think this video, by Noah Kalina, is a masterpiece.
-Clayton