This past Christmas break Graham and I spent two weeks on the West Coast visiting friends and family from L.A. to San Fransisco. It was my first time in California and it was pretty fucking great. It was just enough time to stay incredibly busy hanging out with people and eating as many burritos and In and Out burgers as possible, chilling, making art, and smokin up. While in L.A., we stayed with Graham’s mom who lives on a hill in Topanga which overlooks the valley. The area was not at all what I expected to see on the outskirts of the city.

Since I’ve been back it has been hard to make images here in Rochester. I absolutely love being able to explore and take pictures that aren’t made under the pressure of the impending critique. I find it easy to remember why I do this shit when I’m away from school. We are young and we should have fun. In school we are forced to be adults or “artists” or something. Labels are resticting. Fine art photography, commercial photography, its all the same thing. We just trying to sell. Whats the difference between Andreas Gursky and Nike? I guess I’m just rambling, but these are things I’ve been thinking about and I would love to here what other people think. I love what I do, but I think it is ridiculous to think it is any more honest or extraordinary than anything else out there.

The hills of Topanga.

Graham (on camera flash) I don’t get it when people say that on camera flash is ugly or synonymous with bad photography. I have a hard time saying something is bad. Maybe the worst photography is that which tries to be too good. Sorry for judging. I like contradicting myself.

A circle found in the hills of Topanga

The Chinese Theater, Hollywood

Pismo Beach

Santa Cruz

Jesus in the woods

Cave, Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz

I kind of hate this last picture. Its too pretty. There is no story. I find the one before it so much more intriguing. I don’t know. Maybe its OK.

In class the other day, we talked about what we like to see in an artist statement. Most everyone agreed that the best statement is the one that is genuine or sincere, but I feel like when it comes down to it, we have a hard time really saying what we are thinking. Love ya’ll s+w.