_valerian

One (me) ought not only have their negatives in order (I do) but also have explicit lists of negatives to print as portfolios (I need to). This is what I am working on now.

Starting from the first major book of negatives (rolls 1 through 140) I’ve been looking page by page for photos that will fit in one of the portfolio ideas that I have in mind. Some don’t fit in any so they go on a special page. It is interesting to compare the negatives that seemed worthy of printing in 2004 vs. the ones that will be granted that special status now. The “Special Status” of manifestation into an actual fiber based photographed is reserved for very, very few pictures. Through 70 sheets there are maybe 10 pictures worth considering, despite the fact that at the bottom of 80% of my negative files I scribbled out in black marker the frame numbers of several insipid/trite/boring pictures and in most cases triple underlined them and sometimes drew exclamation marks. 2 years removed from the moment (and in some cases the people) it is easier to see through any emotional filters and just see a picture. Usually one less interesting than I first thought. Too many hip shots towards attractive women on the street, too many big heads in large ads with small (real) people next to them. Sloppily composed shots of probably every woman I saw in a kimono for the first 3 months in Japan and I did not want to count how many frames I shot of beaming junior high schoolers flashing a peace sign.

Hope to finish going through book 1 tomorrow night. It will be Friday! That means it is Stay Home Alone Night. Not unlike Monday through Thursday, and then again Saturday and Sunday.