A Focused Assignment, A Powerful Story, and a Stark American Portrait

A workshop challenge in presence, a moving story of vision loss, and a gripping book that reflects the state of a divided nation.

Workshop Exercise: 36 Frames, No Chimping

One of the exercises I often assign during my photo workshops is simple—but deceptively tough. I ask my students to make just 24 or 36 consecutive exposures, no deletes, no retries, no reviews. They’re not allowed to chimp (that is, look at their photos immediately after taking them). They have 30 to 60 minutes to complete the assignment, and that’s it.

It’s designed to mimic the experience of shooting a single roll of 35mm film—and it always pushes people out of their comfort zone. With each frame carrying weight, you’re forced to slow down and think before you press the shutter. You start to notice light, gesture, and timing differently.

How they use those 24 or 36 frames is entirely up to them. Some photographers take a variety of distinct shots, treating each frame as its complete moment. Others use multiple exposures to explore a single subject from different angles or moods. There’s no wrong approach. The only rule is: once you hit that final frame, you stop.

Most photographers find it uncomfortable at first. The safety net of digital is gone. But by the end, many are surprised by what they create. They often make images they never would’ve captured if they were busy checking their screens. The point isn’t just discipline—it’s presence. Staying in the moment. Trusting your eye.

If you try this exercise, I’d love to see what you create. Post a selection of your images on Instagram and drop a link in the comments below, along with a few words about what the experience was like for you.

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A Powerful Close to The Darkroom MCs Season 1

I mentioned the PBS/ALL ARTS series The Darkroom MCs in a recent post, and I want to take a moment to highlight the fourth and final episode of Season 1, because it’s one you really shouldn’t miss.

This episode features photographer Russell Frederick, someone whose work and presence in the photo community I deeply respect. The episode centers on something incredibly personal and vulnerable: Russell’s ongoing struggle with the progressive loss of his vision. As photographers, our sight is something we often take for granted—but this episode is a powerful reminder that we can’t afford to.

It’s not just a portrait of a photographer confronting change—it’s a wake-up call. Russell’s story is moving, courageous, and full of grace. It also underscores the importance of preventive eye care, especially for those of us who haven’t scheduled an exam in years (you know who you are).

Please take the time to watch this episode—and more importantly, make that eye appointment. Your vision is too valuable to neglect.

▶️ Watch the episode here:
The Darkroom MCs – Episode 4: Russell Frederick

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Book Spotlight: The End is Near, Here by Michael Dressel

Michael Dressel’s latest book, The End is Near, Here (Hartmann Books), arrives in a moment of political volatility—and it doesn’t flinch. With stark black-and-white photographs taken mostly in California but also across the U.S., Dressel captures a fractured American reality: economic desperation, nationalism, isolation, paranoia, and spiritual confusion. It’s an unfiltered portrait of a country struggling with itself.

Born in East Berlin and living in Los Angeles for nearly four decades, Dressel offers a unique perspective on America’s decline. In a recent interview with The Eye of Photography, he reflects: “When I arrived in the United States, it seemed like an ocean of prosperity interrupted by islands of poverty. Nearly 40 years later, I see an ocean of poverty with islands of prosperity.”

What makes this book resonate isn’t just the harshness of its vision, but the clarity. Dressel doesn’t sensationalize. He observes. And what he sees—what we all see, if we’re willing to look closely—feels like a country teetering at the edge.

Order or learn more about the book here:
The End is Near, Here – Michael Dressel (Hartmann Books)

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Thanks, as always, for reading and being part of this creative community.
—Ibarionex