I was intrigued when I heard about a project by Jeff Harris. as his project was not about perfecting his craft but about living with a camera each and everyday. Many photography projects are about examination, either the examination of self, your environment, or society. They are attempts to gain an insight beyond the casual observance through a lens. And, for the most part, projects are one of the only ways to add depth to your images. But Jeff has taken a different approach.
His project, to have a portrait image taken by him or one of his friends, everyday has been in continuous progression since 1999. That is a feat in itself. Think about this, a photograph of you each and everyday for years, posted for everyone to see-no editing, no objections.This is a commitment few would agreeably partake in.
But his lengthy catalogue is more than a collection of random shots spewed out onto a website. His work is candid, humourous, touching and troubling. His work speaks to his life as he lives it, not how the skewed lens interprets it. And that is a big difference. One has to be committed to the idea of existing with a camera and allowing it to view you as you are and not how you want it to be as many of us do. This project is like a series of stills from the Jeff Harris reality show and I am tuning in regularly as should you.
His website is here http://jeffharris.org
