I recently read an obituary in the New York Times for photographer Steve Schapiro, who died on January 15th, 2022, at the age of 87. Cause of death: cancer. Schapiro was famous for many photographs, mainly of Hollywood celebrities and the Civil Rights Movement. The photos are stunning, there’s no doubt about that. Seeing a master at work always encourages me and in some ways like quenching a thirst. What I connected with the most in the article, though, after seeing powerful image after powerful image, was not a photograph. It was a quote. When Schapiro was lauded for his famous photographs of David Bowie, he shrugged it off, saying “I was merely the conduit from genius into the light of day.”

This idea of conductivity resonated deeply with me. It’s humbling. I started to think about it more. I realized the photos I like of mine are ones where I know that it wasn’t just me deciding what happened. It was when I was able to channel what was happening. To collaborate. It feels like magic. Remove the person in front of the camera from the equation and it is not the same, the meaning changes. Remove me, however, and there is still a universe where the person is sitting in that position with the light hanging around them in the same way, casting just the same shadows on their face. Even if in this one I’ve had to tell them to do it, who’s to say they wouldn’t have done the same or better the next day? When I take photographs I’m constantly in a state of wonder. Sometimes I just kiss my hand and throw it up to the sky, thinking, “Where the hell did that photo even come from?” Even when I’ve planned it out, I can’t say it is all me.

Xiadani as I was practicing with lighting

To share the news with you all (Does this blog even function that way?), I am delighted to say I will be continuing my Bodies Project. The Bodies Project was something I started in 2019. It went like this. I’d invite people over and create stills of them as they undressed. At the same time, I’d interview them about their relationships with their bodies. I’m transcribing interviews, with the help of my partner, and compiling the images and interviews into a selection of zines. The first zine is done now and will be released soon with the permission of the participants.

I’m sad I let it go for so long, but that’s a pandemic for you.

The bottom line is I’ve begun shooting this project again. I’m practicing conductivity. If you are interested in participating, please email me.