One of my prints from the semester. I like this photo, but I always felt like there was something off with this photo like I’m too far or too close, or maybe slightly too centered, or the wall on the right is too narrow or too dark or light compared to the wall with the mirror?… I can’t help my critical eye, especially when I’m the one who is creating what I’m seeing in my mind and when I’m judging my own photo. Striving for perfection is great, but obsessing about it can be a deterrent. I wonder how much of this perfect thing I’m chasing is just… imaginary. When I’m obsessing about perfection I tend to just wallow in what’s wrong, which means wasting paper and driving myself insane. Meanwhile, the next negative is just waiting, patiently, for me. Also, why can’t I let the photograph just be?
Jeehyun Lee 2011