The Journey

My Letter to Photography

So I was recently asked why I loved photography. While I could have given some type of answer, I felt it would just be easier to post my letter to photography here. Hope you enjoy it -

Dear Photography,

As I stare at this screen, I am beginning to comprehend just what you have done

to me. You are a friend, a confidant, and a contemporary. I am envious at your

strength. You have delivered me through the most difficult of times without

question. And yet you have helped me to remember some of the most joyful

times. The combination of my imagination and vision with your precision and

flexibility has literally created moments of history to be shared with all who care to

see. Such moments are not merely subjected to the frozen confines of a pose or a

portrait, but can write a memory of activity to a single frame. And while you are a

kind, understanding mate, you are also a cold, unforgiving foe whose insatiable

appetite for emotion destroys many. Your vast knowledge and infinite vision can

intimidate. What is there that you have not witnessed? You have captured

moments of hope, dismay, courage, revenge, justice, violence, love, and pain as

painfully blunt as you want. And yet you stay unwavering in your impartiality. For

these reasons, many fear you; reject you. I, however, accept you for this. Like a

delusional genius, you should not be scoffed at and dismissed, but accepted into

the fold for the visionary you truly are. For but are we not all somewhat of a

delusion? Whether it has been merely a hapless tryst or a permanent bond, you

have been there for everyone and everything. Mexico City in '68, Kent St. in '70,

Tiananmen Square in '89 and New York in '01, you have captured life-altering

images. For these examples alone cannot convey your prowess. These are but

four moments in history out of the millions upon millions to reflect upon. These

moments are not only to reflect on by an audience, but they are pieces of each

one of us. Pieces, for better or for worse, recorded for the posterity of tomorrow.

And because of these opportunities to partake in the record of society, I embrace

you. I love you. I hate you. I use you selfishly to help me through tears.

Moreover, I use you to selflessly remember the joys of others. You are a

doorway of creativity yearning to be opened, hoping to be locked behind those

who enter. I am proud to tell you that I have thrown away the key. Thus, it is just

you and I alone in the room of time. We better get to work.

Sincerely yours,

Life Would Be Absolutely Empty Without...

I, originally uploaded by stussyjoker.

...music. I would rather be blind and mute than lose my hearing. I am very serious. Music blows my mind. It honestly does. After my father passed away, I put together a play list of songs that tied him and I together in a myriad of different ways. When I listen to it, no matter the circumstances, I get choked up during almost every track. To me it's as beautiful as any performance by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. I know this may be a bit of a morbid thought, but after I compiled the aforementioned play list, I started working on a play list of my own life. A play list that, when I'm gone, I will want people to remember me by. Naturally, this will be an ongoing, and very organic process. I will continue to add to it as life goes on and I gain life experience. With that said, I want to leave you with the lyrics to what would be the closing track of my play list if I were to check out today. I'm going to leave the title and artist off so it doesn't bias you, the reader. I find it to be one the most beautiful songs I have ever read or heard. So here you go party people, have a beautiful day.

Fool enough to almost be it
Cool enough to not quite see it, doomed
Pick your pocket full of sorrow
Run away with me tomorrow, June

We'll try and ease the pain
Somehow we'll feel the same
Well, no one knows
Where our secrets go

I send a heart to all my dearies
When your life is so, so dreary, dream
I'm rumored to the straight and narrow
While the harlots of my perils scream

And I fail
But when I can, I will
Try to understand
That when I can, I will

Mother, weep the years I'm missing
All our time can't be given back
Shut my mouth and strike the demons
Cursed you and your reasons
Out of hand and out of season
Out of love and out of feeling so bad

When I can, I will
Words defy the plans
When I can, I will

Fool enough to almost be it
And cool enough to not quite see it
And old enough to always feel this
Always old, I'll always feel this

No more promise no more sorrow
No longer will I follow
Can anybody hear me
I just want to be me
When I can, I will
Try to understand
That when I can, I will