Bunch of great posts recently, Shane; thanks.

I have to say that for me, Flickr functions as an online version of Diane Arbus’ wall. You know the one. the wall covered with work prints, the ones you’re trying to see if you can still bear to look at in a few months time. Except in this case, any man and his dog can wander in. It also just so happens that a few great people whose views I respect also pass through from time to time, and their thoughts, comments and suggestions have really helped shape the work. I have a living room full of work prints, and while it’s a damn nicer sight to look at, it hasn’t been as creatively beneficial as the Flickr version.

Flickr (like the world) is what you make of it, and there’s just no way you can tar it with any one brush.

Incidentally, in moments of doubt and insecurity, I have from time to time questioned the originality of the subject of this project. What is it exactly that draws so many of us to this topic? Is it a societal imperative similar to that which drove so many Japanese artists over the last sixty years to examine the effects of change and the loss of traditional values? If so, one can only hope to maintain a smidgen of uniqueness in one’s vision!

his work and the fact that i was able to come across it was some of what cemented flickr’s value for me. not to mention the fact that eventually those communities and contacts are what led me to the photoblogoshere (GD is there not a better name for it?), and blogs like your own.