Rick Blair jots down notes on what has been damaged during the flood inside of one of the classrooms Saturday Dec. 28, 2013 at the Burpee Museum of Natural History in Rockford. The museum became flooded after a water valve on the first floor bursted and forced the staff to relocate it's animal and insect artifacts into a close classroom.
I have to get something off my chest that I have been dealing with for over the last six months it seems. I have talked with friends and colleagues about it, but I feel until I post it somewhere, there is nothing holding my accountable to make sure I kick it and move on. I have been stuck in probably the worst rut of my photographic life. Not that I am making really crappy work, but I just haven't felt like I have been hitting that mark I am used too. I don't know if it's the change in location, change in duties, work load, still getting acclimated or just the never ending winter we just had. I haven't done any stories (although attempted), the work I am pumping out at this moment I don't feel like can compete with what is in my portfolio and on top of everything else, nothing I have been shooting seems to have substance. It's just missing that emotional connection that I feel has been in my past work.
So, as one of my editors likes to say, "Don't come to me with problems, come with solutions." I am going to start a solution. I am going to do my best to shoot myself...out of this rut. I am going back to trying things, taking risks and failing sometimes. Also, taking a couple hours a week to just something that interests me, because putting the camera down when I am off the clock doesn't seem to be doing any justice to me right now. And on top of everything else, just make better photos. Plus, I am going to blog once a week because I need to write and just talk my way through my work more often. Hopefully those will get me back on the path that I am trying to get too.
-B. Lewis
Band director Jordan Yi on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013, at the Jefferson High School band room in Rockford. BRENT LEWIS/RRSTAR.COM
Deputy Sheriff Andrew McCulloch talks to a driver during a traffic stop Friday, Jan. 17, 2014, at the Great Oaks Apartments complex in Rockford. BRENT LEWIS/RRSTAR.COM
Belvidere North cheerleaders hug after winning first place during the NIC-10 Cheer meet Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, at Boylan Catholic High School in Rockford. BRENT LEWIS/RRSTAR.COM
Calysta Harris-Beatty, DDS checks the an aching tooth of Shaquila Ford onFriday, Jan. 31, 2014, at Crusader Community Health clinic in Rockford. BRENT LEWIS/RRSTAR.COM
A pedestrian walks throw the snowy street Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, along North Johnston Avenue in Rockford. BRENT LEWIS/RRSTAR.COM
Boylan's Alec Steinhagen practices his dives while coach Gary Wright looks on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, at Boylan Catholic High School in Rockford. BRENT LEWIS/RRSTAR.COM
Sixth grader Charlene Howard covers her nose as Mrs. Gartner begins to dissect a pig Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014, at West Middle School in Rockford. BRENT LEWIS/RRSTAR.COM
Rock Valley's LT Davis and Jared Mayes are a pair of former Jefferson High School players that are now part of the team making their way towards nationals Thursday, March 6, 2014, at Rock Valley College in Rockford. BRENT LEWIS/RRSTAR.COM
Luke Grall, 11, is shocked after holding his teacher's, Joshua Rollins, Golden Apple award Friday, March 14, 2014, at Washington Academy in Rockford. BRENT LEWIS/RRSTAR.COM
Jessica Richardson celebrates after she finds out that she will be doing her residency at University of Illinois in Chicago during the Match Day ceremony Friday, March 21, 2014, at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford in Rockford. BRENT LEWIS/RRSTAR.COM
Huddler and sprinter Ashley Cornford will be playing a large role in the success of this years girls track program Tuesday, March 25, 2014, at Hononegah High School in Rockton. BRENT LEWIS/RRSTAR.COM