MICHAEL MUSIKA'S CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION OF CREATION THROUGH WRITING, PHOTOGRAPHY, AND PERFORMANCE ON VIDEO.
EVERY TIME WE MAKE A WORK OF ART WE PUT A DOCUMENT OF IT HERE IN THIS JOURNAL FOR A JAPANESE DOCUMENTARIAN FILM MAKER SO THEY CAN MAKE A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THIS ARTIST IN THIS WEBSITE BECAUSE THEN WE CAN GO TO JAPAN, HOPEFULLY NOT SO LATE IN LIFE THAT IS A CRUEL IRONY. MOST PEOPLE BESIDES JAPANESE PEOPLE EVER GET TO GO TO JAPAN. WE UNDERSTAND, BUT WE GENUINELY WANT TO GO TO SEE THE COUNTRY AND OUR FRIEND NOBU.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
MICHAEL MUSIKA, KITCHEN WINDOW // Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 24-70mm ƒ4L IS USM ISO 100 0 ev 1/100 s
I am old now. Shouldn’t we find a different window to look out of, far, far out of harm’s way? I know we use the word “ghost” too much, but you really have become one. Do you really belong here anymore?
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
SELF PORTRAIT, IN STUDIO // Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM ISO 100 24 mm 0 ev ƒ/5.6 1/60 s
A musician takes a self portrait to document the process of resetting the studio, and to practice learning how to use a camera. The afternoon light on the west side of San Francisco shines from above the ocean into the window. The gothic looking piano in the background was made in 1892 and smells like an old saloon.
THE SEA RANCH, CALIFORNIA
SHADOW PHOTOGRAPHS MAN IN SUNGLASSES // Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM ISO 100 24 mm 0 ev ƒ/7.1 1/100 s
A photographer takes a portrait of a musician in the early evening light of winter, on the northern California coast. Highway one is in the background after the shadows, and field of grass.
SEA RANCH, CALIFORNIA
MAN STANDING IN WINTER SUNLIGHT // Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. EF85mm ƒ1.2L II USM. ISO 100. 85 mm. 0 ev. ƒ6.3. 1/400 s
This was a strange period in life. Interesting now to note that the problems of that day are gone and replaced by ones that sometimes keep me up at night while I write this now, nearly two years later. Not the least of which being the inherent futility of sharing one’s artwork. Taking a self portrait is artwork. Also I hear all the voices that call this vain, and related to some combination of stupidity and too many brain injuries. All the same it’s a good photograph. It looks like a Russian person who is mean and difficult to reach.
THE SEA RANCH, CALIFORNIA
ANGRY SAILOR EXERCISE // Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM ISO 100 26mm 0 ev ƒ/7.1 1/125
This picture is taken at the top of a set of steps that lead to a small room where a large telescope is stored.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM ISO 160 24mm ƒ/4 1/30
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM ISO 100 24mm ƒ/5.6 1/60
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM ISO 100 24mm 0 ev ƒ/4 1/30
I’m learning to become comfortable with what I am drawn to document. A subject who is cooperative and available is a good one to photograph. Here we have a musician in his garden. The photographer ought not see fit to cut off his feet next time, and also to figure out how to allow for greater light exposure on the interior shot. All in all this is a good effort though and one only gets better by learning from his mistakes.
