Ken Tanaka
pro member
Metropolis
Hello Folks!
Those here who are familiar with me know that I am a strong proponent of pursuing projects with cameras. The 1-off snap is fine but the real fulfillment potential comes from using the camera as a tool for creating a body of work anchored around a conceptual visual objective. Such projects need not be lengthy; they can be a single day. But I think that the best things happen when you're focused on a broader goal. (Pun intended.)
Ambling academic preamble aside, I am always in the midst of several such projects. Here I'd like to call attention to one rather long-term project that I've titled "Metropolis". My general goal with this project has been to construct a montage of the 21st century urban American environment with a wide variety of image subjects, actively trying to avoid clichė. The opening statement fills-out the conceptual basis for this collection, which currently encompasses just over 80 images captured over approximately five years. (My goal is to grow the collection to 130-140 images, and I'm currently still working on the assembly of the collection.)
My objectives in posting this project here are two-fold. First, I always appreciate comments and reactions to my work -- positive and/or critical -- so feel free to give me your reactions either here or as comments in the gallery. The work is not yet done but there's enough to enable you to see where I'm heading.
Secondly, however, I want to encourage others to use their photographic interests to also pursue projects rather than simply walk-about snaps. Spring (in the Norther Hemisphere) is here so back away from the keyboard and hit the shutter button! A project can be big or small, need not require any travel expense, and doesn't even necessarily require that you leave your home! (This past week I did a series of Polaroids of tableware and glass beads arranged on a bamboo serving tray in my kitchen!)
So get to it!
Addendum: If you view this work on a notebook computer I encourage you to use Zenfolio's "Slideshow" feature. It's terrific for viewing this collection on small screens and enables you to also view the titles, when available. Note also that if you're interested in following this collection as I build it (which is happening daily) please use the RSS feed button (located at the bottom left of the gallery main page next to the copyright) to create a bookmark for being notified of new images.