Shifter: How to do Long Term Projects, Part Two

Good grief. If you watch this entire thing I'm nominating you for a humanitarian award. Part Two in all its glory. There are more specifics here but there is still a lot to cover in regard to doing long-term work. Each of us navigates photography in our own way but I've learned a thing or two that might be of benefit. Take my opinion for what it is, my opinion nothing more.

The work highlighted here covers a project I worked on for four years. I didn't spend all four years working on this ONE piece, but what you see here is the result of four trips to Sicily. I chose this project simply because it was the first project that popped up when I opened my drive system. I could have chosen a half dozen other projects created during the same time but all the same rules and ideas apply to all. This project IS interesting as it did some a bit of acceptance. This project was published several times, was represented by a Los Angeles gallery, and was also why I was approached by two different publishers who wanted to make this work into a book. I declined both publishing deals as they were, frankly, terrible financial deals. This project is what led me to start self-publishing my work.

Remember, storytelling comes with responsibility. This isn't about YOU it's about THEM. The people you photograph are sacred and should be treated with respect, always, regardless of who they are and what they are doing. If they let you know their lives you have to accept the responsibility that comes with this.

Start small, have fun.