Explanation

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After week 73 there came no new photographs. No new blog post with curated photographs of the previous week. None of that. After 73 weeks, and many personal events in between, I think it was enough. Enough at least to share, enough at last to keep my photo a day project going like I used to. It feels like I’m on a crossroad and I feel the urge to figure out what direction I want to go. Maybe somewhere there is already a lead, so I decided to pause and contemplate on what I’ve been doing.

I feel about photography in many, almost, conflicting way’s. As much as it comes from what happens in front of the camera, and possibly triggers me, I wonder how much photography is really about what happens in the photograph. In fact, what we capture, might not even have happened. I’m probably more attracted to the interpretational side of photography then the more observational part. Likely also because I think the observational part is strongly affected by how we, as individuals, interpret the objectivity. And as such, you might wonder if there is really something like objectivity in the first place.

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Therefore I like to have a moment to pause, sit back, relax, and to explore new things in my photography. It also provides me a chance to look at what I’ve been doing and making in the previous 73 weeks. and if I can sort of rearrange things and tighten up my edit(s). And I really like to explore that fine line between what’s really happening in front of the camera or the things that happen with you and to bring that together, if that all makes any sense.

All photographs by Wouter Brandsma

Week 73 | 2015

Day 469 – December 27, 2015

I’ve seen people posting their 2015 lists, favs, and musings. Last year for me felt like a very uncomfortable and pretty dramatic year and I rather prefer to look ahead instead. A former colleague committed suicide, a dear photographer passed away, I had my health issues and my son got a stroke. At times it was all too much, but taking photographs helped me to find distraction at times. Sometimes I wished I would have been able to continue doing so every day, but I’m still OK with that.

I don’t try to have any plans or resolutions for this new year. From experience I know there is always something differently happening. I should better try to life every moment and be aware how precious these moments can be.

Day 470 – December 28, 2015

I missed the feeling of learning something new again, so I started to film. Wondering if a few seconds footage would add something to a brief moment. While film might add motion to a moment, a photograph, to me, still has more than just that less then a second capture. There is the deliberate and subconscious thinking before and after a moment. It is not only seeing, but also feeling a moment happening. I wondered whether film would add more of that thoughtfulness, but for now I get the impression I film like I photograph. I do like keeping the filming for myself now. Still something of learning, experimenting, failing, and hoping to succeed sometime.

While I love photography, and love to see work by others, I’m having more and more problems with how photography evolves into a process. A process were technique seems to matter most. Where even a Magnum photographer I admire shares his work with a camera brand hashtag. Where the most popular photography websites only share reviews, business related news, and popular viral stuff. Sure, even I admit that techniques matters to photography. Like the camera matters to the photographer, but there is so much more to photography.

Day 471 – December 30, 2015

Distortion however doesn’t come from the outside I think, but from within us. Sure, somewhere there is an absolute reality, but the reality we life in is formed by what we like and dislike. Or what we should like or dislike formulated in lists and the number of likes. We might be appalled by the amount of crap on the internet, but don’t seem to be able to be more selective about what to see and read. Maybe we try to hard to seek recognition for the choices we make and try to find common peers.

Day 472 – January 2, 2016

So I try to keep doing what I love to do. Taking photographs for myself. In my pace, with my gear, my priorities, my feelings. I refuel myself to cope with the new deal in our family. Refuel myself to see and feel new moments. Peace and all the best for 2016.

All photographs by Wouter Brandsma

Week 71 | 2015

Day 458 – December 13, 2015

Day 459 – December 14, 2015

Day 460 – December 15, 2015

Day 461 – December 16, 2015

Day 462 – December 17, 2015

Day 463 – December 18, 2015

Day 464 – December 19, 2015

There is so much in life we take for granted, but doing so is not always that fair towards those who have or had to struggle. Three days ago I saw a mid aged Syrian couple walking with their young daughter in my hometown, there is a refugee center located here. We take freedom and safety pretty much for granted, but their faces, looking old, deep blue circled wrinkles deep as tranches around their eyes were sorrow reminders for me that your and my freedom and safety comes at a price for others. And all I can do is wonder what is going in their minds. Those their kid still have a future like ours?

There is so much in life we take for granted, but my son mourned last week over the loss of a perfectly functioning left arm. Maybe some functions will recover after his stroke. While he is working hard on walking again his arm doesn’t show that promising progress. And all I can do is wonder what is going in his mind. Those he still have a future like ours?

All photographs by Wouter Brandsma

Week 70 | 2015

Day 451 – December 6, 2015

Day 452 – December 7, 2015

Day 453 – December 8, 2015

Day 454 – December 9, 2015

Day 455 – December 10, 2015

Day 456 – December 11, 2015

Day 457 – December 12, 2015

1.5 weeks after my son had a stroke he was transferred from the academic hospital to a rehabilitation hospital. He is already able to walk a bit and lift up his left leg. The future is still uncertain and we, and he in particular, try to cope with this situation. Yet, we have seven more days of progress. And that is the best there is.

All photographs by Wouter Brandsma

Week 69 | 2015

Day 446 – November 29, 2015

Day 447 – December 1, 2015

Day 448 – December 3, 2015

Day 449 – December 4, 2015

Day 450 – December 5, 2015

I needed, I wanted, to stroll the streets again, clearing my mind. To turn things simple again. Or, at least I try to.

All photographs by Wouter Brandsma