Morning Chorus Project (Proof of Concept)
2025 saw me slowly backing off the Trolley photography project I’ve been working on over the last few years, not because I felt it had to end, but more because I felt I had very little left to add to it at this point, outside of a short film, at least, which I’m hoping to make in the new year. That, however, leaves me with a new question: what do I take on as my next long-term photography project?
Given that I go for a walk at 5:30 am almost every day, always along the exact same route, I thought it would be interesting to take a camera with me twice a week to capture whatever happens to catch my attention each time I head out. And thus, what I’ve come to call The Morning Chorus Project was born. I spent November and December taking test shots to get a feel for the equipment I want to use and to better understand what kinds of things consistently draw my eye over time.
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I had hoped that over the course of those two months a subject or theme would start to reveal itself, and I think it’s pretty clear that one has definitely emerged. I guess I’m entering my Masahisa Fukase phase. Hopefully this project (and my life) has a happier ending, but I’m excited to see where it goes in the new year, especially as the seasons and lighting begin to change.
I’ve chosen the Canon 200D paired with an older EF 70–300mm, with everything shot in a 1:1 aspect ratio. It’s a combination of a slow lens and a small sensor, and it couldn’t be further removed from the gear I use commercially, but with Embrace the Grain being a core part of my brand, I think those limitations will become a core part of the project as well.
I’ve never had an exhibition of my work before, but this could end up being the first project I’ve undertaken that might truly lend itself to one, so we’ll see what happens.
