One of the definitions of fieldwork speaks of gaining experience and knowledge through firsthand observation. That could well be said about much of photography, but I find it most apt when working with larger format cameras and the time-consuming slow processes of polaroid positive/negative films.

I began my career as a street photographer, whizzing around with a small 35mm camera. It makes shooting and moving a fast, instinctive, reactive activity. Purposely working slower with the larger cameras and having to develop each frame as it is exposed changes one's perspective, it causes one to slow down, make more careful observations, make more deliberate choices, perhaps gain a tad more knowledge.

Another definition of fieldwork mentions the gathering of data through observation of subjects in the field. I like to imagine these images are the data I have collected.

(A POLAROID LAMENT:: Perhaps my favorite films of all time were Polaroid's positive/negative types 665 and 55. Both went out of production over a decade ago. I adored the unique qualities of these films and have about ten boxes remaining. The film expired years ago and is becoming less viable with each passing day.)