Noticing

We looked at each other and we knew. That’s how it started years ago. It happened again today while we were listening to a podcast.

That’s nothing new. We listen to four or five a day. But this one. Ezra Klein talks to Rick Rubin. For those who don’t know, Rubin is an A class record producer who founded Def Jam Records. He recorded Johnny Cash’s last albums including Trent Reznor’s song, “Hurt” in which Cash tears your heart out and leaves it on the ground along with his.

He thinks in a Taoist/Buddhist way.

They started with a five breath deep breathing exercise. We started separately but by the end we couldn’t tell where one of us began and the other ended.

What a Valentine Day gift.

Rubin described how he prepares when he records. He tries to empty himself out and let the music come to him.

Somewhere, somehow I managed to learn something. I try to empty myself prior to photographing anything. When I photographed New Orleans culture, like second lines, I did my best to think of nothing and react to everything.

I knew if it worked when I culled and edited my take and I surprised myself with images that pleased me.

What an artistic gift.