2024 03 01
Tyler Perry is a billionaire and massively successful filmmaker. This is why, when he recently announced he’s pausing plans to expand his Atlanta studio because of AI, people listened.
Tyler Perry Puts $800M Studio Expansion on Hold After Seeing OpenAI’s Sora: “Jobs Are Going to Be Lost”
I saw a wide range of responses to the headline online, from AI bros proclaiming movies will soon be fully automated, to others upset he’s not investing a billion dollars into a film studio as a way to combat the rise of AI. Regardless of what you think about the headline, my guess is that the reality of his decision to halt work after surely spending millions of dollars on the project was made more for exesting economic reasons than because Sora released a few automated videos that look like a high end video game render. These AI videos, released only by the company that producing the renders and surely only gives us the best of the best, do look quite remarkable at a glance, on a phone, in low resolution — and yes, it clearly shows where things are heading — but I also don’t think we’re going to automate away our arts and entertainment despite it feeling like this is where we are heading.
Currently, the AI stories making the headlines are how good it is at making photos, videos, writing stories, graphic design, etc … all the fun and creative things humans enjoy doing. What’s less exciting to read about is how AI can replace the less glamorous professions such as tax preparation, legal copyrighting, software coding, logistics.
There’s no doubt AI is coming for all of us and will massively transform the world in the coming decade. Just look at the NVIDIA stock price and you’ll see this is what the stock market believes. I think the AI revolution is already transforming corporate America in less obvious ways, namely employee headcount. Corporations are letting go and/or pausing hiring as they figure out all the ways to best implement AI into their corporate structure while replacing as many humans possible. The economy still feels relatively okay, but a storm is a brewin’.
Scott Galloway put out a nice piece (linked below) equating the corporate use of AI to the human use of diet drugs. We all do it, we just don’t like to talk about it.
Corporate Ozempic
I just wish I could automate a way to not think about AI so damn much these days.
-Clayton
Wow, it’s been a lot of vertical images lately… Txa Txa Supper Club #30 at See You Soon Chicago. January, 2024. © Clayton Hauck
Tyler Perry is a billionaire and massively successful filmmaker. This is why, when he recently announced he’s pausing plans to expand his Atlanta studio because of AI, people listened.
➡️ Tyler Perry Puts $800M Studio Expansion on Hold After Seeing OpenAI’s Sora: “Jobs Are Going to Be Lost”
I saw a wide range of responses to the headline online, from AI bros proclaiming movies will soon be fully automated, to others upset he’s not investing a billion dollars into a film studio as a way to combat the rise of AI. Regardless of what you think about the headline, my guess is that the reality of his decision to halt work after surely spending millions of dollars on the project was made more for exesting economic reasons than because Sora released a few automated videos that look like a high end video game render. These AI videos, released only by the company that is producing the renders (and surely only gives us the best of the best), do look quite remarkable at a glance, on a phone, in low resolution — and yes, it clearly shows where things are heading — but I also don’t think we’re going to fully automate away our arts and entertainment despite it sort of feeling like this is where we are heading.
Currently, the AI stories making the headlines are how good it is at making photos, videos, writing stories, graphic design, etc … all the fun and creative things humans enjoy doing. What’s less exciting to read about is how AI can replace the less glamorous professions such as tax preparation, legal copyrighting, software coding, logistics.
There’s no doubt in my mind that AI is coming for all of us and will massively transform the world in the coming decade (if not this year). Just look at the NVIDIA stock price and you’ll see this is what the stock market believes. I think the AI revolution (a new Industrial Revolution) is already transforming corporate America in less obvious ways: namely employee headcount. Corporations are letting go and/or pausing hiring as they figure out all the ways to best implement AI into their corporate structure while replacing as many humans possible. The economy still feels relatively okay, but a storm is a brewin’. These changes aren’t yet mainstream news stories but I think soon everyone will start to feel the effects of someone they know losing a job because it is, at least attempting to be, outsourced to artificial intelligence.
Scott Galloway put out a nice piece (linked below) equating the corporate use of AI to the human use of diet drugs. We all do it, we just don’t like to talk about it.
➡️ Corporate Ozempic
I just wish I could automate a way to not think about AI so damn much these days.
-Clayton
PS - want to dig into this even further and get even more depressed? This video is worth your time and paints a largely bleak picture about our not-too-distant futures
PPS - My CPU is a neural net processor; a learning computer!
2024 02 29
I’m going to become a photographer!
The real estate business is not what it used to be. It used to be that houses were tough to build and required years of training, expensive equipment, knowledge of a labyrinth of legal rules and regulations. These days, anyone can build a house with ease. Cheap tools from China and ample materials from our lax environmental laws have allowed houses to be made almost instantly and posted on social networks for anyone to bid on. The supply and demand has shifted greatly, meaning my compensation on each transaction is nearly zero. Basically, the only way to make a living as a real estate agent these days is to become an influencer, sell courses, convince new people to get their license and charge them for lessons, or to get a TV deal and turn your entire life into “content.”
It’s because of this that I’ve decided to pivot my career, buy a camera, and become a professional photographer! The possibilities are endless! I can photograph headshots, weddings, parties, babies, houses (lol), food, cars, etc. People truly need photos of everything these days and “content is king” they tell me, which means the supply and demand economics are more in my favor so long as I’m providing my clients with top notch work. I’m confident I can do this because my friend took a photography class in high school and I often helped with her projects. I’m also really getting into learning from the many photographers on YouTube who reveal all of their methods for free.
Please tell your friends and family I am now available for assignments worldwide. If you’ve bought a house from me previously, I will hook you up with 20% off your first portrait or family session! Just use promo code #OLDCLIENTNEWFRIEND20
-Clayton
Wintry street scene on my block in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. January, 2024 © Clayton Hauck
I’m going to become a photographer!
The real estate business is not what it used to be. It used to be that houses were tough to build and required years of training, expensive equipment, knowledge of a labyrinth of legal rules and regulations. These days, anyone can build a house with ease. Cheap tools from China and ample materials from our lax environmental laws have allowed houses to be made almost instantly and posted on social networks for anyone to bid on. The supply and demand has shifted greatly, meaning my compensation on each transaction is nearly zero. Basically, the only way to make a living as a real estate agent these days is to become an influencer, sell courses, convince new people to get their license and charge them for lessons, or to get a TV deal and turn your entire life into “content.”
It’s because of this that I’ve decided to pivot my career, buy a camera, and become a professional photographer! The possibilities are endless! I can photograph headshots, weddings, parties, babies, houses (lol), food, cars, etc. People truly need photos of everything these days and “content is king” they tell me, which means the supply and demand economics are more in my favor so long as I’m providing my clients with top notch work. I’m confident I can do this because my friend took a photography class in high school and I often helped with her projects. I’m also really getting into learning from the many photographers on YouTube who reveal all of their methods for free.
Please tell your friends and family I am now available for assignments worldwide. If you’ve bought a house from me previously, I will hook you up with 20% off your first portrait or family session! Just use promo code #OLDCLIENTNEWFRIEND20
-Clayton
PS- happy Leap Year!
2024 02 28
Having something to look forward to is a big part of my being in a good mood. Is this blog something to look forward to?
Constraints are a big part of creativity. Forcing one to figure it out often leads to better work. Big budget movies are often crappy… because they had budget to do whatever they want! Decisions were made without much consideration. It’s easier to make something good out of nothing than it is to make something good out of everything… the guerrilla approach. The underdog often has more motivation and is scrappier. America can’t defeat Afghanistan; America can’t defeat Vietnam; America can’t defeat Palestine not because we lack the resources but because we lack the will (and also they are undefined, losing battles to begin with). The only reason we attempt these wars in the United States is because we have too many options, therefor they sound like reasonable solutions.
Rusty old car I’ve been photographing for well over a year now because it never moves and nature is slowly reclaiming. Chicago, Illinois. February, 2024 © Clayton Hauck
Having something to look forward to is a big part of my being in a good mood. Is this blog something to look forward to?
Constraints are a big part of creativity. Forcing one to figure it out often leads to better work. Big budget movies are often crappy… because they had budget to do whatever they want! Decisions were made without much consideration. It’s easier to make something good out of nothing than it is to make something good out of everything… the guerrilla approach. The underdog often has more motivation and is scrappier. America can’t defeat Afghanistan; America can’t defeat Vietnam; America can’t defeat Palestine not because we lack the resources but because we lack the will (and also they are undefined, losing battles to begin with). The only reason we attempt these wars in the United States is because we have too many options, therefore they sound like reasonable solutions.
Why did I segue into talking about war again? Let’s get back to obsessing over AI taking my job! Oh yeah, so this is why I’m in a crabby mood these days.
Chin up.
-Clayton
2024 02 27
Conversation:
Woman: There was a possum in my yard today.
Man: You mean an opossum?
Woman: No, a possum.
Man: Well, I think the word is actually spelled with an o, therefore for you’d say an opossum.
Woman: Yeah, well I’m not an fucking idiot. It’s a possum.
Artist and studio neighbor Emmy Star Brown with her dog Ralphie stop by my See You Soon studio for a chat. Chicago, Illinois. January, 2024 © Clayton Hauck
Conversation:
Woman: There was a possum in my yard today.
Man: You mean an opossum?
Woman: No, a possum.
Man: Well, I think the word is actually spelled with an o, therefore for you’d say an opossum.
Woman: Yeah, well I’m not an fucking idiot. It’s a possum.
2024 02 26
Video gets most of the attention these days, however, a well done project using still photography and words is way more impactful in my humble opinion. Video allows the viewer to become passive, while static words and imagery sets the scene and forces the viewer to stay engaged — allowing their own brain, filled with memories and emotions, to fill in gaps and build a more dense narrative.
Again, in my humble opinion. It takes more effort, though, and distractions are a dime a dozen these days, so we mostly want our content served up to us in video format.
This ProPublica story which popped into my inbox this morning had me floored by its brilliance and tragedy. Such a masterfully done example of the power photojournalism still has when time and energy is dedicated to it. Photographer Stacy Kranitz is forever a favorite of mine and this story is why. Powerful images paired with unvarnished truth, moving us to better understand the world we live in and are a part of.
Please take a moment to take in this project! https://projects.propublica.org/the-year-after-a-denied-abortion/
From the Editor’s Note: Mayron said she let journalists document her life in intimate detail because she wanted people to “see for themselves and feel it in their own lives” her family’s struggles in raising two babies after a traumatic pregnancy and while recovering from a history of addiction.
-Clayton
A High Life bottle sits atop a bar table at Reed’s Local, Chicago, Illinois. January, 2024. © Clayton Hauck
Video gets most of the attention these days, however, a well done project using still photography and words is way more impactful in my humble opinion. Video allows the viewer to become passive, while static words and imagery sets the scene and forces the viewer to stay engaged — allowing their own brain, filled with memories and emotions, to fill in gaps and build a more dense narrative.
Again, in my humble opinion. It takes more effort, though, and distractions are a dime a dozen these days, so we mostly want our content served up to us in video format.
This ProPublica story which popped into my inbox this morning had me floored by its brilliance and tragedy. Such a masterfully done example of the power photojournalism still has when time and energy is dedicated to it. Photographer Stacy Kranitz is forever a favorite of mine and this story is why. Powerful images paired with unvarnished truth, moving us to better understand the world we live in and are a part of.
Please take a moment to take in this project! https://projects.propublica.org/the-year-after-a-denied-abortion/
From the Editor’s Note: Mayron said she let journalists document her life in intimate detail because she wanted people to “see for themselves and feel it in their own lives” her family’s struggles in raising two babies after a traumatic pregnancy and while recovering from a history of addiction.
-Clayton
2024 02 25
They’re putting laugh tracks on social media videos now.
Streaming services are consolidating back into what cable television was a decade ago.
Politicians are promising to Make America Great Again, again.
New True Detective characters are saying you need to ask the right questions. Time really is a flat circle.
-Clayton
Allison on at the beach, on a super cold day when temperates approach the record low and frost bite would set in within minutes. Chicago, Illinois. January, 2024. © Clayton Hauck
They’re putting laugh tracks on social media videos now.
Streaming services are consolidating back into what cable television was a decade ago.
Politicians are promising to Make America Great Again, again.
New True Detective characters are saying you need to ask the right questions. Time really is a flat circle.
-Clayton
2024 02 24
When I was a young pretentious film student, American Beauty was my favorite film.
I think this video, by Noah Kalina, is a masterpiece.
-Clayton
The Rock River as it snakes through Grand Detour, Illinois. January, 2024. © Clayton Hauck
When I was a young pretentious film student, American Beauty was my favorite film.
I think this video, by Noah Kalina, is a masterpiece.
-Clayton
2024 02 23
Just wrapped up my taxes and was shocked and amazed to see my commercial photography income was substantially down last year. This led me to think some thoughts about why this is happening. Is it simply a matter of me becoming old and stale? Likely, yes, however there’s a bit more to this shocking development.
Companies needing high quality imagery for whatever reason often don’t like spending money on said high quality imagery. They’ll reach out and ask if we can do it for free since it’s our hobby anyway and usually we say, sure, we’d love to help with that, but it’s impossible because the pesky talent (you know, the people in the photos—the models) won’t agree to it! They demand money every single time — it’s wild! So what happens is we end up producing these projects for money, which allows us to pay bills, eat, and generally function within society. It’s nice, but the companies don’t always love it.
Luckily for the companies, Artificial Intelligence is here to save them from bankruptcy. They are now experimenting — behind the scenes in their secret tech labs — with using AI to become their models! With a fully digital human, created from jumbling up hundreds of other humans into a completely new and soulless entity, they can then hire their digital models for zero dollars and we’ll finally be able to agree to their requests to produce high quality imagery for our portfolios or for the experience or for a promise of payment on a future project that never materializes.
I’m excited about this! Experience is the most valuable tool in any hobbyist photographer’s tool kit and I’m about to have it in excess!
— Oh, shit, I’m late for my shift at Arby’s.
-Clayton
PS- every blog post thus far has been AI generated. Clayton is on vacation in Montevideo.
Snowy catalpa tree on our corner which I photograph roughly two-hundred times each year. [this image was expanded using generative AI] Chicago, Illinois. January, 2024. © Clayton Hauck
Just wrapped up my taxes and was shocked and amazed to see my commercial photography income was substantially down last year. This led me to think some thoughts about why this is happening. Is it simply a matter of me becoming old and stale? Likely, yes, however there’s a bit more to this shocking development.
Companies needing high quality imagery for whatever reason often don’t like spending money on said high quality imagery. They’ll reach out and ask if we can do it for free since it’s our hobby anyway and usually we say, sure, we’d love to help with that, but it’s impossible because the pesky talent (you know, the people in the photos—the models) won’t agree to it! They demand money every single time — it’s wild! So what happens is we end up producing these projects for money, which allows us to pay bills, eat, and generally function within society. It’s nice, but the companies don’t always love it.
Luckily for the companies, Artificial Intelligence is here to save them from bankruptcy. They are now experimenting — behind the scenes in their secret tech labs — with using AI to become their models! With a fully digital human, created from jumbling up hundreds of other humans into a completely new and soulless entity, they can then hire their digital models for zero dollars and we’ll finally be able to agree to their requests to produce high quality imagery for our portfolios or for the experience or for a promise of payment on a future project that never materializes.
I’m excited about this! Experience is the most valuable tool in any hobbyist photographer’s tool kit and I’m about to have it in excess!
— Oh, shit, I’m late for my shift at Arby’s.
-Clayton
PS- every blog post thus far has been AI generated. Clayton is on vacation in Montevideo.
2024 02 22
So you want to be a thought leader?
Let me preface this by mentioning how much I hate the term “thought leader” which gets tossed around the web all willy-nilly these days. It’s a smart-sounding way of saying social media influencer, where the quality of the thoughts have far less importance than their reach.
That said, I’m looking to transition from photographer to thought leader. If you know anyone looking for hot-fresh takes and high-quality thoughts, please pass them the URL to this weblog.
Thanks in advance.
-Clayton
Joe’s Pizza has some of the best pies in the Chicagoland area. I grew up on these pizza pies. Wheeling, Illinois. January, 2024 © Clayton Hauck
So you want to be a thought leader?
Let me preface this by mentioning how much I hate the term “thought leader” which gets tossed around the web all willy-nilly these days. It’s a smart-sounding way of saying social media influencer, where the quality of the thoughts have far less importance than their reach.
That said, I’m looking to transition from photographer to thought leader. If you know anyone looking for hot-fresh takes and high-quality thoughts, please pass them the URL to this weblog.
Thanks in advance.
-Clayton
2024 02 21
The ongoing Palestine-Israel war has me thinking of this skit quite a lot lately, for reasons we won’t get much into on this blog.
Look, it’s a complicated, tragic topic and one we could go on about for hours, but I’m doing my best not to turn this space into a geopolitics blog despite my constant temptation to do so.
One thing I do want to briefly discuss is this feeling I have about the war. I think the US and Israel were largely caught off-guard by the massive amount of pushback they have gotten by their own citizens, furious by what we are doing in their names. It’s almost like they dusted off the 9/11 Playbook and used the same script but then were shocked that the multiple years of leeway American’s gave the Bush Administration before turning their backs on the project were depleted within a few days this time around. Obviously, the situation is not the same, however, I get the sense that this time is different largely for symbolic reasons. Many young Americans relate with the Palestinians in a metaphirc sense. It’s a population being suppressed and dominated by an older, more powerful male-dominated state which they mostly don’t relate with. They have no real opportunity in life, no prospects, unless they go somewhere else and not be a nuisance. Justified or not, I think a lot of young Americans probably look at the Palestinians and relate with them a whole lot more than they do with Israel. Even if siding with Hamas is rooting against your own side, in a sense, it’s still rooting for the suppressed underdog you know.
Let’s not be the baddies, is all I want to say beyond this.
-Clayton
PS- if you do want to start a Geopolitics Club, hit me up! Been threatening this for a while now, might actually be time to make it happen.
Gene & Judes, a Chicago hot dog institution. River Grove, Illinois. January, 2024.
The ongoing Palestine-Israel war has me thinking of this skit quite a lot lately, for reasons we won’t get much into on this blog.
Look, it’s a complicated, tragic topic and one we could go on about for hours, but I’m doing my best not to turn this space into a geopolitics blog despite my constant temptation to do so.
One thing I do want to briefly discuss is this feeling I have about the war. I think the US and Israel were largely caught off-guard by the massive amount of pushback they have gotten by their own citizens. It’s almost like they dusted off the 9/11 Playbook and used the same script but then were surprised that the multiple years of leeway Americans gave the Bush Administration before turning their backs on the invasion were depleted within a few days this time around. Obviously, the situation is not the same, however, I get the sense that this time is different largely for symbolic reasons. Many young Americans relate with the Palestinians in a metaphirc sense. It’s a population being suppressed and dominated by an older, more powerful male-dominated state which they don’t relate with. Palestinians largely have no real opportunity in life, no prospects, unless they go somewhere else and not be a nuisance. Justified or not, I think a lot of young Americans probably look at the Palestinians and relate with them a whole lot more than they do with Israel. If siding with Hamas is rooting against your own team, in a sense, it’s still rooting for the suppressed underdog you know.
Anyway. Let’s not be the baddies. Back to photography tomorrow?
-Clayton
PS- if you do want to start a Geopolitics Club, hit me up! Been threatening this for a while now, might actually be time to make it happen.
2024 02 20
Friend and fellow photographer Jack Garland recently posted this great short feature on photographer Matt Black which got me inspired in a number of ways.
Preface: the main reason for this post was to share the piece, which is linked below, so skip ahead and watch that unless you want to also read me rambling about myself for the remainder. It is my therapy session (blog), after all.
Feeling at a crossroads in my own career due to the business of commercial photography being in a confused state, with AI on the rise, less work and lower budgets generally, and becoming older myself, I spend a lot of time scheming on what I should be focusing my time on. This isn’t a very efficient way to get things done, all the thinking, that is, but I tend to go all-in on things once I decide it’s the way to go so it is perhaps smart to think a bit before jumping into the deep end.
In no particular order, some thoughts that struck me while watching the video were: I should shoot more black & white. I’m always so drawn to color but it’s probably best to expand my horizons and experiment more; traveling and photographing is something I really, really love and maybe should make this more of my focus. It’s a compromise though in many ways (time consuming, being away from people, expensive, no guaranteed success) so I always resist dedicating more time to it and taking it seriously; traveling the entire state of Illinois might be a fun compromise and interesting challenge. Maybe a good photo book project I can put a few years’ effort into while not being too far from home. It would greatly aide in my eventual run for governor as well; maybe it’s time to cut the commercial work off for a while and figure out what most resonates with me as a person. Live as an artist. Make work for myself; do more video work just like this video piece. It was really well done and exactly the kind of thing that inspired me to become a photographer from the start; take the wandering-man-with-camera video angle many people are doing on youtube to much success but elevating it a bit, getting deeper and more artistic with it; write more, like Matt in the video. Write about what I’m experiencing. Maybe this is where I’m already heading with this blog? Maybe it becomes part of a photo book project? Maybe the writing becomes the work?; get more invested into the world of art photography and open a photo book store. It’s an idea I’ve been stewing on for a while now and one I still like. Creating a home for photography-obsessed people such as myself seems like a smart move in many ways, while also being a bit of a vague business model and perhaps less sustainable as it needs to be while sucking up all my time in the process.
Clearly, lots of thinking going on in the old brain of mine. I thought it would be nice to get some of the thoughts down on paper and toss them into the world. Surely I will expand on some of them in the coming weeks.
-Clayton
A tree sits alongside River Rd, slightly illuminated from a passing vehicle. River Grove, Illinois. January, 2024. © Clayton Hauck
This image was extended to accomodate a square crop using AI and was edited in my interpretation of a Matt Black / Jack Garland style.
Friend and fellow photographer Jack Garland recently posted this great short feature on photographer Matt Black which got me inspired in a number of ways.
Preface: the main reason for this post was to share the piece, which is linked below, so skip ahead and watch that unless you want to also read me rambling about myself for the remainder. It is my therapy session (blog), after all.
Feeling at a crossroads in my own career due to the business of commercial photography being in a confused state, with AI on the rise, less work and lower budgets generally, and becoming older myself, I spend a lot of time scheming on what I should be focusing my time on. This isn’t a very efficient way to get things done, all the thinking, that is, but I tend to go all-in on things once I decide it’s the way to go so it is perhaps smart to think a bit before jumping into the deep end.
In no particular order, some thoughts that struck me while watching the video were: I should shoot more black & white. I’m always so drawn to color but it’s probably best to expand my horizons and experiment more; Traveling and photographing is something I really, really love and maybe should make this more of my focus. It’s a compromise though in many ways (time consuming, being away from people, expensive, no guaranteed success) so I always resist dedicating more time to it and taking it seriously; Traveling the entire state of Illinois might be a fun compromise and interesting challenge. Maybe a good photo book project I can put a few years’ effort into while not being too far from home. It would greatly aide in my eventual run for governor as well; Maybe it’s time to cut the commercial work off for a while and figure out what most resonates with me as a person. Live as an artist. Make work solely for myself; Do more video work just like this video piece. It was really well done and exactly the kind of thing that inspired me to become a photographer from the start; Take the wandering-man-with-camera video angle many people are doing on youtube to much success but elevating it a bit, getting deeper and more artistic with it; Write more, like Matt in the video. Write about what I’m experiencing. Maybe this is where I’m already heading with this blog? Maybe it becomes part of a photo book project? Maybe the writing becomes the work?; Get more invested into the world of art photography and open a photo book store. It’s an idea I’ve been stewing on for a while now and one I still like. Creating a home for photography-obsessed people such as myself seems like a smart move in many ways, while also being a bit of a vague business model and perhaps less sustainable as it needs to be while sucking up all my time in the process.
Clearly, lots of thinking going on in the old brain of mine. I thought it would be nice to get some of the thoughts down on paper and toss them into the world. Surely I will expand on some of them in the coming weeks, months, or years.
-Clayton
Beyond the video above, here’s a link to another great talk featuring wisdom and images from the talented Matt Black.
2024 02 19
A sign of the times.
Photography ain’t what it used to be.
Nobody wants a photographer in today’s wintry economic climate.
-Clayton
Woodman’s Grocery Store no longer has a photo department so no longer notes “PHOTO” on the side of their massive structure. Rockford, Illinois. January, 2024. © Clayton Hauck
A sign of the times.
Photography ain’t what it used to be.
Nobody wants a photographer in today’s wintry economic climate.
-Clayton
PS- Too much doom & gloom lately. Will bring some positive vibes back again 🤗
2024 02 18
Kids love blogs!
This daily photo blog is the professional equivalent to this super slick promotional music video touting the Hillary Clinton for President campaign back in 2007. AKA it’s very cool. Hire me for your next project and I will make you proud!
-Clayton
Intense dog awaits owners as they check out at the Center of Order and Experimentation in Chicago. December, 2023. © Clayton Hauck
Kids love blogs!
This daily photo blog is the professional equivalent to this super slick promotional music video touting the Hillary Clinton for President campaign back in 2007. AKA it’s very cool. Hire me for your next project and I will make you proud!
-Clayton
2024 02 17
Oh, shit. I signed myself up for another day job. What the fuck was I thinking starting a daily photo blog?! In the year 2024. What kind of bullshit is this? I was high on the “fresh start to a new year” nonsense and got a bit too ambitious and now it’s a fucking Saturday in mid February and I’m sitting here in my underwear at 6am, cold, tired and annoyed, while trying to think up another meaningless thing to peck down on my computer and spam out into the world wide web for my mom to read and post on her facebook page. What. The. Fuck.
Have a great weekend!
-Clayton
Night scenes viewed through the windshield at the corner of Kimball and North Ave. Chicago, Illinois. January, 2024. © Clayton Hauck
Oh, shit. I signed myself up for another unpaid job. What the fuck was I thinking starting a daily photo blog?! In the year 2024. What kind of bullshit is this? I was high on the “fresh start to a new year” nonsense and got a bit too ambitious and now it’s a fucking Saturday in mid February and I’m sitting here in my underwear at 6am, cold, tired and annoyed, while trying to think up another meaningless thing to peck down on my computer and spam out into the world wide web for my mom to read and post on her facebook page. What. The. Fuck.
Have a great weekend! 🤗
-Clayton
2024 02 16
I don’t have kids, I have a daily photo blog…
Also, nobody seems to be having kids these days, which I think goes a long way in explaining why things have gotten so weird. Without kids, people have time to stew on things, discuss vibes in comment sections and on Reddit. Without kids, people turn civil unrest into a hobby and start voting for whoever fans the flames of chaos. Kids are hectic and require massive amounts of attention and, in that, they are also a stabilizing force for society.
But I don’t have a farm to plow and child labor laws are pretty tough these days, so putting little Jimmy to work at the photo studio might be frowned upon, so what does a kid get me other than yet another unpaid-full-time job? Am I being selfish not having kids while my friends who do have children to, you know, keep humanity moving forward, are stuck raising theirs? Honestly, yeah I think we, the childless folks, are being a bit selfish. But are we also being selfish in exploding the global population from a few billion people one hundred years ago to eight billion people today? Also, yes! Elon yells about demographics because it’s going to fuck the rich and powerful more than anyone once population growth reverses course and there are fewer people to buy the trinkets being pumped out in Chinese factories (also losing population, so increasingly made by robots).
The takeaway? Shit will continue to be weird for as long as we’re alive. Not having kids is both selfish and thoughtful from an environmental perspective.
They are pretty damn cute, though. I think I might have a few.
-Clayton
The California Clipper, one of Chicago’s great watering holes and where I personally picked up a drinking habit a few decades back, as seen on a cold winter’s night. December, 2023. © Clayton Hauck
I don’t have kids, I have a daily photo blog…
Also, nobody seems to be having kids these days, which I think goes a long way in explaining why things have gotten so weird. Without kids, people have time to stew on things, discuss vibes in comment sections and on Reddit. Without kids, people turn civil unrest into a hobby and start voting for whoever fans the flames of chaos. Kids are hectic and require massive amounts of attention and, in that, they are also a stabilizing force for society.
But I don’t have a farm to plow and child labor laws are pretty tough these days, so putting little Jimmy to work at the photo studio might be frowned upon, so what does a kid get me other than yet another unpaid-full-time job? Am I being selfish not having kids while my friends who do have children to, you know, keep humanity moving forward, are stuck raising theirs? Honestly, yeah I think we, the childless folks, are being a bit selfish. But are we also being selfish in exploding the global population from a few billion people one hundred years ago to eight billion people today? Also, yes! Elon yells about demographics because it’s going to fuck the rich and powerful more than anyone once population growth reverses course and there are fewer people to buy the trinkets being pumped out in Chinese factories (also losing population, so increasingly made by robots).
The takeaway? Shit will continue to be weird for as long as we’re alive. Not having kids is both selfish and thoughtful from an environmental perspective.
They are pretty damn cute, though. I think I might have a few.
-Clayton
2024 02 15
As a young guy, I was obsessed with roller coasters. I’d spend hours drawing and designing them, hours more building them virtually in Roller Coaster Tycoon, and in my spare time beyond this, would travel the country riding them with my fellow coaster nerd friends. At one coaster nerd meetup event, I made a friend named Jack who remains one of my best buds to this day. While we don’t spend nearly as much time obsessing over amusement attractions these days, we still have similar viewpoints on many things, so when I saw his IG story summarizing his thoughts on last night’s Super Bowl festivities, it really hit me. I found myself in a bad mood after the game and wasn’t really sure why but his post made it make some sense.
Reprinted without permission via @JackIsFun on Instagram:
“Anyone else a little revolted by the Super Bowl? Obviously nonstop ads for junk food and soda, crass commercialization of everything to create want and profit off middle and lower class Americans, plus pure BS from the NFL and advertisers about mental health when they are part of the problem by pushing all this junk, consumption, chasing status, etc. And, of course, it’s in Las Vegas.
THEN - one by one - the winners all declare that their accomplishment means nothing and it’s back to the grind tomorrow. No time to take it in and enjoy the view. A win means nothing. A dynasty is everything. Just work, just dominate, never stop, in a sport that literally kills you. But, hey, oh yeah, mental health is important. America. ✌️”
— Jack
More on this coaster nerd stuff another day…
-Clayton
Abandoned roller coaster. Williams Grove, Pennsylvania. November, 2023. © Clayton Hauck
As a young guy, I was obsessed with roller coasters. I’d spend hours drawing and designing them, hours more building them virtually in Roller Coaster Tycoon, and in my spare time beyond this, would travel the country riding them with my fellow coaster nerd friends. At one coaster nerd meetup event, I made a friend named Jack who remains one of my best buds to this day. While we don’t spend nearly as much time obsessing over amusement attractions these days, we still have similar viewpoints on many things, so when I saw his IG story summarizing his thoughts on last night’s Super Bowl festivities, it really hit me. I found myself in a bad mood after the game and wasn’t really sure why but his post made it make some sense.
Reposted without permission via @JackIsFun on Instagram:
“Anyone else a little revolted by the Super Bowl? Obviously nonstop ads for junk food and soda, crass commercialization of everything to create want and profit off middle and lower class Americans, plus pure BS from the NFL and advertisers about mental health when they are part of the problem by pushing all this junk, consumption, chasing status, etc. And, of course, it’s in Las Vegas.
THEN - one by one - the winners all declare that their accomplishment means nothing and it’s back to the grind tomorrow. No time to take it in and enjoy the view. A win means nothing. A dynasty is everything. Just work, just dominate, never stop, in a sport that literally kills you. But, hey, oh yeah, mental health is important. America. ✌️”
More on this coaster nerd stuff another day…
-Clayton
2024 02 14
Blaze Foley appreciation post.
I don’t have anything to add to the story of Blaze other than appreciation for the music he was able to make before he died at age 39.
I take it most people aren’t familiar with him. If not, take a moment to listen to some of his tunes. “Clay Pigeons” and “Oval Room” are among my favorite all-time songs. If still curious, poke around into his life a bit and meet his friend Townes, another incredible musical talent.
This post was inspired by, of course, a youtube video I stumbled upon which is also worth your time, you Blaze-loving fool, you.
-Clayton
Mundane scene involving birds. Chicago, Illinois. January, 2023. © Clayton Hauck
Blaze Foley appreciation post.
I don’t have anything to add to the story of Blaze other than appreciation for the music he was able to make before he died at age 39.
I take it most people aren’t familiar with him. If not, take a moment to listen to some of his tunes. “Clay Pigeons” and “Oval Room” are among my favorite all-time songs. If still curious, poke around into his life a bit and meet his friend Townes, another incredible musical talent.
This post was inspired by, of course, a youtube video I stumbled upon which is also worth your time, you Blaze-loving fool, you.
-Clayton
“You don’t always get what you go after, but you do get what you wouldn’t have got if you hadn’t gone after what you didn’t get.”
2024 02 13
I stumbled on this video over on twitter and it struck me as being great advice on writing. So much so I revisited it, now that I have this daily blog going, to take it in once again.
Teachers read your writing because they are being paid to do so. Once school is over, your writing needs to stand on it’s own. The only reason anyone will read your writing is if it has some value to them. Value can be entertainment; value can be information; value can be data mining to guess my bank password; but if it’s not valuable to the reader nothing else matters.
So yeah, I’m off to think up with some value for tomorrow’s post.
-Clayton
A steaming Lake Michigan as seen from Leone Beach on Chicago’s far north side on a frigid day. January, 2024 © Clayton Hauck
I stumbled on this video over on twitter and it struck me as being great advice on writing. So much so I revisited it, now that I have this daily blog going, to take it in once again.
Teachers read your writing because they are being paid to do so. Once school is over, your writing needs to stand on it’s own. The only reason anyone will read your writing is if it has some value to them. Value can be entertainment; value can be information; value can be data mining to guess my bank password; but if it’s not valuable to the reader nothing else matters.
So yeah, I’m off to think up with some value for tomorrow’s post.
-Clayton
2024 02 12
What makes a city great? It’s the people! It’s always the people.
People are assholes and scammers and criminals and thieves but they are also creative and visionary and hard working and amazing and nothing will happen, bad or good, without them. Sure you can move out to the countryside and have a nice peaceful life but it’s only in the city that you can wander down the street and encounter a frantic street performance streamed live to youtube, surrounded by people smiling and remembering that life is in fact amazing and should be enjoyed to its fullest.
Get to know your neighbors. Frequent and support your local businesses. Invite others to live near you. Encourage your local zoning committees to accommodate more people. We’re all in this together.
-Clayton, a person.
Tribune Tower during conversion from newspaper HQ to fancy condo tower, Chicago. January, 2023. © Clayton Hauck
What makes a city great? It’s the people! It’s always the people.
People are assholes and scammers and criminals and thieves but they are also creative and visionary and hard working and amazing and nothing will happen, bad or good, without them. Sure you can move out to the countryside and have a nice peaceful life but it’s only in the city that you can wander down the street and encounter a frantic street performance streamed live to youtube, surrounded by people smiling and remembering that life is in fact amazing and should be enjoyed to its fullest.
Get to know your neighbors. Frequent and support your local businesses. Invite others to live near you. Encourage your local zoning committees to accommodate more people. We’re all in this together.
-Clayton, a person.
Mark Rebillet yells at me, yes me because I am the main character in this blog, to leave the internet and stop watching youtube
2024 02 11
This frame was made while out wandering with Allison & Haley. It’s one of many images included in the Art Postcard Packs I made last year, which are available to purchase in the Good Things Vending machine in the lobby of the Kimball Arts Center, where my See You Soon studio exists. You can also purchase them on my Instagram shop (no idea how to link to this or even get it to show up 🤷♂️), which has had one customer at the time of this writing (I’m a failed e-commerce store owner 🤷♂️).
The Postcard Packs are great and super affordable at only $1each ($15 for 15) and also many of them come with a code for a free Keep it 100 portrait shoot.
I’m basically giving them away and should probably change this approach since perception of value is half the battle when it comes to art.
-Clayton
Redhot Ranch, my go-to local spot for hot dogs and burgers, on a foggy quiet night. Chicago. January, 2023. © Clayton Hauck
Self Promotion Alert!
This frame was made while out wandering with Allison & Haley. It’s one of many images included in the Art Postcard Packs I made last year, which are available to purchase in the Good Things Vending machine in the lobby of the Kimball Arts Center, where my See You Soon studio exists. You can also purchase them on my Instagram shop (no idea how to link to this or even get it to show up 🤷♂️), which has had one customer at the time of this writing (I’m a failed e-commerce store owner 🤷♂️).
The Postcard Packs are great and super affordable at only $1each ($15 for 15) and also many of them come with a code for a free Keep it 100 portrait shoot. Please buy some so I can print more with new artworks from different artists!
I’m basically giving them away and should probably change this approach since perception of value is half the battle when it comes to art.
-Clayton