Among the Usual

I came to America two years ago.

Since then, I have traveled thirty-nine states in my study of photography.

I am following today’s road. I do not need to know where I am.

I just drive around from place to place for the purpose of seeing.

Sometimes, I will find a place that I want to shoot, but often, I will not be able to find it. So, I spend more time driving until I find it.

…This is like “floating”.

I want to see as much as I can.

I just wonder what there is in this world.

We are seeing the things as usual as we are living the day to day. But they can be seen in different way.

I practice photography because with it I can record exactly what I see.

Sometimes, I will get good result from it, but other time I do not. So, I shoot more and more.

…This is like “excavating”.

Huge concrete poles are standing for supporting the highway-overpass as usual. But if I only saw standing hue concrete poles, that seems not usual, does it?

A long silver drainpipe is crossing the river as usual. But if I only saw a crossing long silver pipe that rather seems beautiful, doesn’t it?

Even though things are called by certain names for certain reasons, if they did not have names or reasons, what are they actually?

We might pass over them. We do not think they are unusual.

Now, I am sure there are a lot of things that I have not seen yet.

And these unusual things are Among the Usual.

I want to see them as much as I can.

2002

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