Running and Passing. » Photography

Select Photographs 2011 (January > May)

Matt Kowal — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 03:35:56 +0000

(Between) Wherever You Are

Matt Kowal — Mon, 09 May 2011 20:37:37 +0000

Finder

Matt Kowal — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 05:57:44 +0000

Staking Claims In The New Old Frontier

Matt Kowal — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 03:40:19 +0000

32.513997,-106.693995

37.820208,-101.76104

45.183045,-121.123525

46.160063,-123.376771

Open Books (self-published photo book)

Matt Kowal — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 06:04:33 +0000

I have self-published a photo book for my Open Books Project. The project reflected on the digitization of printed media and this book serves as a meta layer to that abstraction of container, order, and accessibility. When contrasted with the online project page and resources, the limitations and experiential qualities of the physical book become more apparent.

The book is limited to an edition of 15 with one copy donated to the Indie Photobook Library. Copies are available through my AdoramaPix account or by contacting me at matt@mattkowal.net.

Select Photographs 2010 (September > December)

Matt Kowal — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 17:44:51 +0000

BodyVox Workshop : Youth Arts Education in Hillsboro, OR

Matt Kowal — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 01:47:15 +0000

BodyVox Dancer/Instructor Elizabeth Burden is currently leading a dance workshop with a group of 4th graders at Lincoln Street Elementary in Hillsboro, Oregon. This arts ed program is part of the Portland’s Regional Arts & Cultural Council’s Right Brain Initiative. Photos by your truly.

Golden Images. Yes. Maybe. Sometimes. Definitely.

Matt Kowal — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 19:51:46 +0000

I first began to make pictures seriously in 1960. At that time, photography appeared to me as a new art. Prior to around the middle of the 19th century, photography did not exist. In 1960, in historical terms, the 19th century seemed just around the corner. My own grandfather, who I lived with, had been born in 1871. I knew enough about Art to know that great, perhaps unsurpassed achievements in sculpture went back to the Ancient Greeks. Great paintings has been made since the Renaissance. (In fact the Romans and Greeks also left great works in painting, though I think I was ignorant of it at the time.) But photography? Photography was new. (via The End of the Age of Photography by Danny Lyon)

Ah, the golden age. More than ever, people are experimenting with photography. A camera can be found in just about every contemporary mobile communication device. We’re printing fewer photos, but continually sharing billions of digital images online.

In the Late 1980′s, William Eggelston used the term ‘democratic forest’ to describe his photographs of commonplace or ordinary objects and scenes. With the proliferation of capture capable devices, it’s become increasingly difficult to not employ the photographic medium to chronicle our daily routine, supplement our memory, and provide an expressive outlet.

But if it’s everywhere and all the time, and so easy to make, then what’s of value? which pictures matter? Is it the hard won photograph, knowing, controlled, previsualised? Yes. Or are those contrived, dry and belabored? Sometimes. Is it the offhand snapshot made on a whim. For sure. Or is that just a lucky observation, some random moment caught by chance? Maybe. Is it an intuitive expression of liquid intelligence? Exactly. Or the distillation of years of looking seeing thinking photography. Definitely. (via Photography is Easy, Photography is Difficult by Paul Graham)

Select Photos 2010 (June > September)

Matt Kowal — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 03:15:32 +0000

Let’s Trade: Prints for Magnets

Matt Kowal — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 01:18:10 +0000

You need some damn fine 4×6 prints. My refrigerator needs some of your cool local magnets. Let’s make a trade.

Contact me to work out the details.