Percy Widget

Percy Widget has kept a photoblog for over a year now.  In the beginning, he seemed a bit childish but these days his blog is all growns up!







Some would say you take just take photos of your friends.  What would you say to that?

I’d say they’re right.  Most of the time.  I mean, on the other hand, I got pics of my friends in Brooklyn, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Charleston, all over the USA and a few countries in Europe, so I mean, I don’t know…

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I find my friends, like most people, to be rather interesting, doing silly or aesthetically pleasing things.  Sometimes, because they’re my friends, I can ask them to do these things and they actually do.  Because we’re friends.  It’s fun to orchestrate the party and have something to show someone later.

But I wouldn’t agree with the “photo” part.  I think of them mostly as snapshots.  My camera isn’t nice enough to take quote unquote photos.

How did it all start?

The blog?  Well, I’ve always been taking pictures and when I made the switch to digital it seemed like the next logical step.  Plus, a few of my friends were doing similar things with their blogs and I wanted to join the club.  I felt left out.

Is photography a “high” art or a “low” art?

I don’t really see the difference.  Especially with photography.  Sure, you could argue that anyone with a camera at the right place at the right time, or the wrong place at the right time, could snap a beautiful photo but I think there’s more to it than that.  If only determination and dedication.  Besides, I think determination and dedication is what makes an artist, or any successful individual.  Those without are just hobbyists.

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You drove down to Louisiana after Katrina, what was that like?

How do you think it was?  Depressing.  Frustrating.  I don't know... in some sense it was just another blitzkrieg road trip: Washington State to Louisiana in like three days.  But as we got closer and closer, naturally the landscape changed but so did the atmosphere.  This was right after Hurricane Rita hit too, so I mean... the landscape was decimated but worse were people's demeanor, just a feeling of worthlessness. Abandonment.  When everything you own, everything that was in your house, is now piled up in your front yard waiting to be hauled away... and that's what it was like for everyone.  EVERYONE.

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Something like that is almost impossible, in my opinon, to capture with a photograph.  I don't really remember images from that trip, more sensations and brief conversations.  And the smell.  The whole place was rotten.

Who are you inspirations?

First and foremost, my friends.  I find such inspiration in my friends, because, for the most part, they’re out there getting shit done, making something happen.  Whatever that may be.  I don’t hang out with lazy people.

Other than that, as far as strangers go, photographers… I’d have to say Terry Richardson even though  I hate loving that guy.  And of course, the late Richard Avedon... among others.

You’ve never exhibited or published any of your photos?

No one’s ever asked me.  I don’t go around handing out business cards, greasing palms, and sucking ass.  Maybe I should?

Website

http://www.percywidget.com

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