2025 06 25

Another b/w edit! It’s been my go-to approach for a while now and only seems to be gaining power over me. Lately, my struggle has again been over-thinking (on top of just being too busy — really, I only have the time to think and not to do). The internal debate: do I drop everything and get back into film; learn large format to “give myself an edge” in the art photo game. Maybe an edge isn’t the word. I’m having a hard time considering digital photography art. Maybe this has been what’s held me back all these years. Realistically, it’s just another excuse I make to myself to disallow me the opportunity to further explore the path. Realistically, I’m probably not making much sense to anyone reading this.

To back up a bit: I’ve been formulating an ongoing project (again, thinking more than doing) about Chicago. One of the holdups has been format. Before I get too far into it, I want to define what the project even is and which tools will be used to make it. Do I make the work digitally, as I have been, or do I “get back into film.” I already know the answer, but I resist. If money and time were not an issue (they are), the answer would be film. But life is compromise. What I will likely do is embrace multiple formats, multiple camera and lens types, mix and match. I feel like this somewhat scattered approach to the work actually plays into the broader themes I aim to explore (while also being far more functional as it’s already how I work naturally).

What I do know is I continually notice the calendar switching months on me with no work to show for it. Time keeps on moving but my progress does not advance. Something needs to change.

-Clayton

PS- I’m hosting a group photogrpahy exhibition this Friday at my See You Soon studio space. I hope you can join us!