That's a beautiful reflection on our trip. I'm still trying to grapple with my own complicated feelings about it. I've never struggled so much to find enthusiasm in photographic subject matter.
And I'm not sure how much of a role the political climate was playing on my mindset. Probably too much. It's hard for me to appreciate beauty when surrounded with so much human ugliness. There was a lot to process with that trip - from the delusional privilege and self-indulgence of the Keys to the political delusions and poverty of the north. It was a very complicated time and place to be.
But I wouldn't have wanted to spend it with anyone else.
Nice photographs, but as you write, the feeling of being in the zone and the right mindset is perhaps evident. I don't think you can force these things. I am not a mind-reader or anything like that, so I can only view these images while aware of what you have written. I look forward to seeing more, but equally know that when it doesn't feel right, it doesn't feel right. Put the camera down and enjoy your friends. It can easily get frustrating otherwise.
I have come home with rolls of film from locations and when processed, I have looked at what I got and thought… what was I thinking. Usually because for whatever reason I felt I had to photograph, but was not really inspired. It happens.
Wow, I can't believe you arrived in the US a couple days after the election. That must have been so strange. I actually can understand how you must have felt. I have been to Florida a few times and haven't connected with it much photographically. I am glad you still had a nice time with friends. Thanks for sharing your honest reflections!
Thank you for reading, Manuela! It probably wasn‘t the best place to be in right after the election, but it was an experience that helped me reflect on a few things. That is always a good thing.
"it finally dawned on me: everything — including me — had changed. I’m not the same person I was five or six years ago, and neither is my photography."
Powerful statement...Iove the BNW bridge shots. Poignant images that fit the crossroads of your ever changing photographic journey...a bridge to the next chapter.
I had never been to Floristan… but I loved the views and the interesting history. We drove all the way down to Key West. It took hours, but there was a lot to see. The history of the old Fort Zachary Taylor was fascinating and I really enjoyed it. I am a bit of a railroad buff and noticed the railroad right of way on the side of the road and then that railroad bridge was an amazing construction. We also stopped at a museum. We spent the night in Key West and then drove back when traffic was lighter. Beautiful place, but no way in hell I would live there with the hurricanes and the political buffoonery.
We didn‘t go all the way down to Key West, only to Marathon to the remains of the railroad bridge and then headed back north again. Interesting that you said you couldn‘t live down there - I thought about it a lot while in the Keys. And I totally agree with you - Hurricanes, but also the rising water levels. And yet, people are still buildings new houses down there (on stilts now).
I get this feeling, especially as someone who has lived in South Florida for almost 30 years. There are spots in Florida that are quiet and less crowded, especially when you go inland and north. But anywhere near the coasts will be busy and crowded and November is when season kicks up a notch… I find inspiration in nature and love visiting the wetlands and nature preserve near me.
Oh, we have been all the way up north and through the middle. And yes it is a bit quieter, but Trump flags and signs, confederate flags (!) and other political statements were so dominant and aggressive up there it was depressing.
We went on short walks in nature preserves and beaches (before heading to breakfast) which was nice though.
It was a really interesting read, Susanne. Everything changes and I believe what we can do is to be as truthful as possible to ourselves at that given moment.
I really like the stolid, quiet, raw images you shared here. I would never have guessed they were captured in Florida. I’ve only been once (to Orlando and to Clearwater Beach) and it wasn’t a place (based on that one experience) I would seek to return to, personally. From what you said about your own trip, I wonder whether you succeeded in finding your own way of seeing a place that you described as one that you didn’t meld with particularly well and spent some time making a study of a quiet and more timeless subject. (??) In any case, thanks for an interesting read and image series. Hope you are enjoying a nice Thanksgiving.
Thank you for your comment. I don‘t want to speak too bad about Florida, because I have been there only briefly. I never really had the desire to visit and I don‘t think, I will return. After realizing what my problems on that trip were, I was more aware of what I needed to get in my photography mode. If I look at these photos, I can see myself in them despite the subject matter. I probably will share a bit more about that soon.
You had to pick Florida lol. You already have drawn positive perspectives from your experience, so that is worth it. And you will be sure to discover you have made more great photos!
Really lovely account of this bittersweet trip to the US. We are all struggling with the reality of facing the next four years with a felon at the helm. But it also brings clarity to our connection with each other and our photographic/ visual/creative practice. Onward !!
Onward, indeed! It becomes apparent that the connections we value and our creative outlet are more important than ever these days! I hope the four years will go by in a jiffy!
I love traveling but have come to the realization that most of my best photos come from the places I have a love/hate relationship with — the places I actually live. Where I can spend time and linger and be in a myriad of situations and conditions. But I still appreciate travel for the reset it provides by giving new visual fodder.
Yes! Very well said. I don't regret taking the trip, but am actually glad to have these experiences and as you said these trips provide new fodder - visually and mentally.
I was actually thinking of you and your photography being on that trip and admired you once more for your skills seeing moments everywhere and at any moment (at least that's what your photos tell me)
That's a beautiful reflection on our trip. I'm still trying to grapple with my own complicated feelings about it. I've never struggled so much to find enthusiasm in photographic subject matter.
And I'm not sure how much of a role the political climate was playing on my mindset. Probably too much. It's hard for me to appreciate beauty when surrounded with so much human ugliness. There was a lot to process with that trip - from the delusional privilege and self-indulgence of the Keys to the political delusions and poverty of the north. It was a very complicated time and place to be.
But I wouldn't have wanted to spend it with anyone else.
It was quite the experience and yes, a lot to process. But as I wrote, I also learned a lot. And that's always a good thing.
Nice photographs, but as you write, the feeling of being in the zone and the right mindset is perhaps evident. I don't think you can force these things. I am not a mind-reader or anything like that, so I can only view these images while aware of what you have written. I look forward to seeing more, but equally know that when it doesn't feel right, it doesn't feel right. Put the camera down and enjoy your friends. It can easily get frustrating otherwise.
Thank you for your comment, Søren. I am still struggling how much I will share from that trip. Only time will tell.
It was frustrating at times. But also fun at others. I learned things, I otherwise wouldn't have learned. So, this is a good thing.
I have come home with rolls of film from locations and when processed, I have looked at what I got and thought… what was I thinking. Usually because for whatever reason I felt I had to photograph, but was not really inspired. It happens.
Oh, yes! I know that feeling very well. It is comforting to know it happens to others too.
Wow, I can't believe you arrived in the US a couple days after the election. That must have been so strange. I actually can understand how you must have felt. I have been to Florida a few times and haven't connected with it much photographically. I am glad you still had a nice time with friends. Thanks for sharing your honest reflections!
Thank you for reading, Manuela! It probably wasn‘t the best place to be in right after the election, but it was an experience that helped me reflect on a few things. That is always a good thing.
"it finally dawned on me: everything — including me — had changed. I’m not the same person I was five or six years ago, and neither is my photography."
Powerful statement...Iove the BNW bridge shots. Poignant images that fit the crossroads of your ever changing photographic journey...a bridge to the next chapter.
Thank you, Benjamin. I didn’t see the bridge as a metaphor before, but I love this. Thank you for your feedback!
I had never been to Floristan… but I loved the views and the interesting history. We drove all the way down to Key West. It took hours, but there was a lot to see. The history of the old Fort Zachary Taylor was fascinating and I really enjoyed it. I am a bit of a railroad buff and noticed the railroad right of way on the side of the road and then that railroad bridge was an amazing construction. We also stopped at a museum. We spent the night in Key West and then drove back when traffic was lighter. Beautiful place, but no way in hell I would live there with the hurricanes and the political buffoonery.
We didn‘t go all the way down to Key West, only to Marathon to the remains of the railroad bridge and then headed back north again. Interesting that you said you couldn‘t live down there - I thought about it a lot while in the Keys. And I totally agree with you - Hurricanes, but also the rising water levels. And yet, people are still buildings new houses down there (on stilts now).
I've never seen Florida in Black and White. I like it!!!
Thank you, Alex! The carribean blue of the water was a bit much for me at times…😂
I get this feeling, especially as someone who has lived in South Florida for almost 30 years. There are spots in Florida that are quiet and less crowded, especially when you go inland and north. But anywhere near the coasts will be busy and crowded and November is when season kicks up a notch… I find inspiration in nature and love visiting the wetlands and nature preserve near me.
Oh, we have been all the way up north and through the middle. And yes it is a bit quieter, but Trump flags and signs, confederate flags (!) and other political statements were so dominant and aggressive up there it was depressing.
We went on short walks in nature preserves and beaches (before heading to breakfast) which was nice though.
It was a really interesting read, Susanne. Everything changes and I believe what we can do is to be as truthful as possible to ourselves at that given moment.
Very good advice! This is the least we can do.
I really like the stolid, quiet, raw images you shared here. I would never have guessed they were captured in Florida. I’ve only been once (to Orlando and to Clearwater Beach) and it wasn’t a place (based on that one experience) I would seek to return to, personally. From what you said about your own trip, I wonder whether you succeeded in finding your own way of seeing a place that you described as one that you didn’t meld with particularly well and spent some time making a study of a quiet and more timeless subject. (??) In any case, thanks for an interesting read and image series. Hope you are enjoying a nice Thanksgiving.
Thank you for your comment. I don‘t want to speak too bad about Florida, because I have been there only briefly. I never really had the desire to visit and I don‘t think, I will return. After realizing what my problems on that trip were, I was more aware of what I needed to get in my photography mode. If I look at these photos, I can see myself in them despite the subject matter. I probably will share a bit more about that soon.
I love the term "Photography mode" Susanne - now I know what the "P" on the mode dial of my camera is for!
Haha! I wish, I had ones of those dials on me - would have made things much easier!
Like the post. Curious for the rest of your images. These are great.
Thank you, Marcel! I am still debating what photos to share…
You had to pick Florida lol. You already have drawn positive perspectives from your experience, so that is worth it. And you will be sure to discover you have made more great photos!
Haha, no kidding! Florida might not have been the best choice. I learned a lot though!
And I love love love the images here. Thank you
Thank you, Andi!
That rail bridge was also the road until the early 70’s towed a Hobie across it once…white knuckle drive to key west…
The 70‘s… 😃
Really lovely account of this bittersweet trip to the US. We are all struggling with the reality of facing the next four years with a felon at the helm. But it also brings clarity to our connection with each other and our photographic/ visual/creative practice. Onward !!
Onward, indeed! It becomes apparent that the connections we value and our creative outlet are more important than ever these days! I hope the four years will go by in a jiffy!
I love traveling but have come to the realization that most of my best photos come from the places I have a love/hate relationship with — the places I actually live. Where I can spend time and linger and be in a myriad of situations and conditions. But I still appreciate travel for the reset it provides by giving new visual fodder.
Yes! Very well said. I don't regret taking the trip, but am actually glad to have these experiences and as you said these trips provide new fodder - visually and mentally.
I was actually thinking of you and your photography being on that trip and admired you once more for your skills seeing moments everywhere and at any moment (at least that's what your photos tell me)
aww, thanks Susanne! Having a rough day personally so your kind words are very nice.
I hope you feel better soon!