Postcards From The City, Vol #1

October 16, 2020

So I did a little thing, call it a quarantine project, been on the back burner for a while, kept putting it off, but it’s finally done… I’ve put together a limited set of 10 - 4x6 inch postcards from the City, images made between 2015 and 2019. Limited edition of 20 pieces, I currently have 18 left on hand.

$17 bucks… ships free…

Had fun putting this together, think it came out quite well. Printed through 4by6.com, always been happy with their work, no exception this time. Will absolutely be putting more limited sets of postcards together in the future, stay tuned… The ten images from the set are featured below…

Find it in the shop or follow the link: https://www.josephszymanski.com/shop/postcards

We now return to our regularly scheduled programming...

August 21, 2020

Pre-pandemic, who knows when, I was working with some folks in a new independent co-working, looking to bring in more creatives, hold workshops and seminars and so forth. Felt like the beginning of something really interesting to be honest, there is such a lack of community at times outside of the virtual world, and frankly I’m sick of instagram and facebook is a cesspool. Long story short we were moving forward with holding some lighting / portraiture / figure workshops and wanted to test the space, as it was kinda funky and not anywhere near what you’d think of as a traditional studio. The results were surprising to say the least. I didn’t have high hopes for the low ceilings, but it worked out, even with a 5’10” model. The available light in the space proved pretty interesting as well.

Unclear whether we’ll ever pick up where we left off, but here’s what we’re left with. A littler diversion if nothing else. Model is Willa Prescott, on location in San Francisco, January of 2020.

I really have no idea what day it is...

July 06, 2020

When all this started I knew it would be a massive disruption to our way of life for the foreseeable future. As an introvert I felt well prepared. I was wrong. This blows.

‘Stay Home’ - Eureka Street, early days of shelter in place, April 2020.

Lack of adult conversation is the biggest issue. The banter of a 2 year old high on goldfish crackers leaves me craving a bit more intellectual stimulation. Running out of projects. Thus far I have put together a set of 10 drawer flat files, built a decent size bookcase and a 5 watt tube amplifier. Also rebuilt an old acoustic guitar adding a spider cone resonator and an electric pickup. Going to build a ukulele for the boy next.

Have sporadically and briefly ventured out to try and work. Currently sifting through a few things to share, as well as some more escapist work to keep us all from falling into the pit of despair. Seems trivial, but feels important. Trying to make sense of it all…

Wash your hands. Wear a mask. Vote. We’re in this together.

Love In The Time Of Coronavirus

April 13, 2020

My hair is getting shaggy and I don’t get dressed until noon most days. My son, blissfully unaware of the goings on, is quite literally, at times, bouncing off the walls. Thank god we at least have a small back yard. Yesterday he ate part of a succulent plant.

It’s April, not that it matters, trying to figure out where the time went. Not complaining, I find the statement cathartic. I’m overwhelmingly fortunate.

My wife is a physician for San Francisco Department of Public Health and is currently in charge of a massive effort to move the staggeringly large population of homeless people off the streets and out of shelters to stem the spread of Covid-19. General consensus is it’s already too late, damage done, the losses will be catastrophic.

No. 0737_03A - Castro Station, September of 2019.

Attempting to reconcile the acute depression and lethargy with the fact that I should be on the street, making pictures. Responsibilities prevail.

Finding the leadership on a national level to be entirely lacking, as well as completely devastating. Thankful that I live in California. I worry for the nation.

Will be making an effort to roll out some new(ish) work that I’ve yet to share, in an effort to stem the boredom, to feel (moderately) productive and to (hopefully) provide some escape, if only temporary, to anyone out there who may be paying attention.

Be safe everyone. Stay healthy.