Two months later I finally added some holga shots from my trip to flickr to beef up my France set. I’ve sat there looking at the contact sheets for many weeks feeling unimpressed and disappointed. Unfortunately for me, while in Paris I was struck with “fear-of-taking-photo-itis”. You know, that illness that makes you so worried about being lumped into a lame group of people that I rarely took out the camera(s). Maybe this disease only runs rampant in Paris, where the outward disdain for tourists manifests in evil looks, insults being hurled, and elbows being thrown on the Metro. Or maybe it’s not that. I suppose a major concern was that the overwhelming beauty and awe I felt as I walked along small, winding, charming streets was never going to translate onto film. In hindsight I should have faced my fear of being seen as a tourist and shoved my fist in its face like any feisty Parisian.  Instead I’m left with rolls of photos that I’m unimpressed by and a sinking feeling that I failed myself.

But before I slice my wrists, I have a roll of black and white 35mm developed and two more color rolls to go before I can get into full self-deprecating, navel gazing mode. Maybe I’ll post those shots somewhere. Maybe I won’t.


2 Responses to “Itis strikes again”  

  1. 1 Shane

    For one, the holga shots are great. For two…next time in paris. Take camera, point at person(s) giving you dirty evil looks and throwing insults and snap away. I bet those faces and people would make for some really fun shots.

    Shoot, Shoot again, and then shoot some more.
    Meanwhile, I must rectify this nasty sensor dust on my camera :(

  2. 2 serene

    Thanks Shane. That’s kind of you to say.

    And hindsight is a bitch, huh? I wish I could rewind time and give myself a pep talk. I’ll chalk it up to a learning experience for now.

    And yes, fix the sensor stat. :)

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