I’m tired of photography content on the internet, especially when it relates to gear: ‘buy this,’ this is better than that,’ etc.… For me, all the noise that revolve around any specific camera you can think of is unbearable; and for that reason, I’m turning to printed publications when it comes to seeking art content. There's no point in denying that the internet is a great resource, the opportunities to discover new talent, techniques or cutting-edge equipment are all online. However, after getting into the habit of binge-watching YouTube videos that focus on pixel quality I'm beginning to feel exasperated with photography, and so I need to stop doing that. Somehow, rather than nurturing my creative process, it feels like those videos are there just to make a sales pitch. (which most likely they are) and is not cool feeling down for not being able to afford the latest and greatest. Besides, I realized how much I enjoy turning the page when feeling like it and taking my time digesting the image in front of me. Viewing art content online is by no means a match to the tactile experience I get from any art book out there. Online feels rushed, and synthetic; like the equivalent of eating in a fast food restaurant. An art book will always be more fulfilling.
One book I enjoyed a lot was “How New York Breaks Your Heart,” by Bill Hayes. (www.billhayes.com). I like the simplicity with which its laid out, how the photographs anchor the body copy, which consists of what sounds like a beautiful poem to New York City. Is easy to lose track of timing when browsing through its pages, many of the photographs, especially his black and white portraits, seem as if they were taken decades earlier and not in post-911 America. His approach to color is also quite striking; I enjoy how he juxtaposed complementary tones, especially the street portraits he shot against neutral backgrounds. The people in those pictures all evoke a great deal of elegance and sophistication. However, the one thing I enjoy most and what I think is the common thread in this book is the facial expressions of each person appearing in the book. Each person seems at ease and comfortable, which leads me to think that Bill Hayes is a photographer who knows how to connect with each person, and that’s something gear alone cannot can give you, no matter the amount of pixels you get from your camera.