Dispatches From the 21st Century

The inside. Out.

[jpittswiley]

Being raised in the theatre by Black theatre artists is the single greatest influence on my photography practice because, at an early age, I was exposed to the limitless possibilities available under the auspices of specifically-articulated circumstances. As such, my chief concerns when composing an image revolve around a subject’s energy or premise; namely, whether or not I am compelled by one, the other, or, ideally, both.

[jpittswiley]

We are what our record says we are.

[jpittswiley]

DISPATCH #5— 11.28.25

F L U K E

I once dreamed

Of hurling harpoons

Finding glory in the hunt

Now

I wish to be as they are

Powering gently against the wind

[jpittswiley]

Nobody:

Me: Shooting a lot of Instax lately has been kicking my ass in very good ways and getting me back to the technical drawing board of portrait making. I’m actually feeling like I’ve establishing something of an aesthetic approach to my work—still ongoing, of course—and am now getting really particular about having the technical proficiency to articulate that aesthetic intentionally and consistently.

[jpittswiley]

DISPATCHES #4 — 11.18.25

I did some documentary photography for a fashion show a few weeks back. I’m friendly with the organizer and wanted to make a contribution to the experience while gaining a bit of experience of my own. My photography practice revolves around portraiture that tends to be of a methodical and deliberate nature. While of a quicker pace, I’d say the same about my documentary work; I prefer to let stories unfold around me, to take notice of the interesting people and moments around me and preserve them accordingly. Perhaps this is how I attempt to seek balance and establish a sense of control within a situation. I can’t control time but I endeavor to control how I experience it. This approach isn’t always the most calming; it definitely grapples with my desire to not overlook any potential stories or present incomplete narratives.

Amid the energy of the show, I couldn’t help but realize how unfamiliar I was with being around people who want to be photographed. It was unusual and oddly refreshing to be around so many camera-positive people who know how to put their most photogenic foot forward. The experience didn’t want me to abandon what I do for the world of the runway, but the change of pace was appreciated, particularly as I moved at a pace that isn’t typical for me and did so with a flash attached to my camera, a setup I rarely ever enjoy because I am keenly aware of my technical deficits when using it.

On-camera flash and an unusual pace made me uncomfortable and grateful. I was reminded of where I lack skill and where the skill I have developed was useful to me. Considering the fact that our family had to unexpectedly put our dog to sleep the day before, it was something of a relief to have a challenge to confront, a challenge where the outcome was something I could control to a degree in the wake of something I could not. I was afforded the opportunity to experience time on terms that were and were not my own.

The day’s work—and the presence of mind to do it—did not come easily to me. I hope finding the presence and doing the work made me better at the things that do.

[jpittswiley]

DISPATCH #3 — 11.11.25

Some gel plate prints I’ve made over the last few months after first jumping into learning the process this summer. Mostly derived from my own photos and old Ebony magazines. It’s an enjoyable and deeply frustrating process that inspires and bums me out in equal measure. I’ve been largely annoyed with not finding a rhythm with it yet, but I know that’s not how this works. In many respects, I’ve been buoyed by a refusal to keep getting my ass kicked and those rare moments when I pull magic off the plate.

Before you’re good at something, you’ll probably be bad at it. As ‘bad’ is vague and subjective, perhaps it’s better to say you’ll lack proficiency and competency relative to others with experience. Proficiency and competency come with time, discipline, and plenty of errors and missteps. While critical, a lot of development processes just ain’t cute.

One of the (many) downsides of our technological connectivity is tied to what it has done to the creative and developmental psyche. There used to be a sense of limitation when it came to the less-than-cute nature of learning, growing, and improving. The world was a relatively closed circuit. Making mistakes or other cringe-inducing missteps may have felt like the end of the world, but there was no sense that the actual world might find out about it.

It’s different now. If you choose to engage with the virtual world, you run the risk of piquing its interest because you had the audacity to not be great in front of them. Of course, some are able to make their process and its associated stumbles part of their persona and identity, but even that is situated in a reality where the process and the stumbles are the point. That has its own level of intention. For those that just want to share as they grow, concerns over the scale of possible public derision is unlike any moment in human history. I like to think I’ll always err on the side of people stepping out on courage and sharing a piece of their world/themselves, but the reality of my thinking hasn’t been shaped by a world where my moments might become memes.

It’s somewhat easy to lay this at the feet of technology, but—for the time being—technology does not create itself; it only reflects the will of its creators. Fears of developmental derision are emblematic of who we are, not the platforms where we express ourselves.

[jpittswiley]

DISPATCH #2 — 11.4.25

Getting some practice shots in with My Favorite. There’s no one more important to my development as a photographer. Over 10,000 portraits and counting. Pretty remarkable when I consider the fact that she’s not especially keen on being photographed.

I think people often overlook the sacrifice that often comes with belief. I’m fortunate to have thousands of pieces of evidence that the most important person in my life believes in what I do. Speaking frankly, some of my desire to achieve and ascend revolves around wanting to prove that the sacrifice and belief were worth it. Of course, there are lots of ways to measure ascendance and achievement; perhaps it is more a feeling than it is a demonstrable milestone. Whatever it is, I want to be in its presence in much the same way I want to be with Kim.

We made these on Ilford Delta 100 sheet film using my buddy John’s Super Speed Graphic. One of the dope things about shooting large format is seeing how depth of field changes between the formats. All the photos in this set were shot at f/8, which is roughly f/4 in medium format and f2.8 in small format. I’m looking forward to stopping the 4x5 lens down to f/22 and seeing what comes of it. Since this is continuous light, I’m thinking I may need a more powerful light since the shutter speed on these was 1/8.

Any large format portrait tips? Feel free to let me know 🫡.

[jpittswiley]

One of the scariest things about the utter fallacy of white supremacy is something of a paradox:

The people it is chiefly intended to dupe have been generationally conditioned to suffer but are largely ill-equipped to endure the *suffering* that white supremacy has always inflicted.

[jpittswiley]

Doom’s Day. 2025.

[jpittswiley]

DISPATCH #1 — 10.28.25

My name is Jonathan Pitts-Wiley. I live in Rhode Island, USA and I’ve reached the “let me give Tumblr another shot” section of millennialhood—and I’m OK with that.

I’m old enough to find “going back to blogging” both hilarious and disturbing, but I’d be telling a whole lie if I said I didn’t welcome the opportunity to just…share whatever thoughts or observations or art or random facts or inspiration are bouncing around my head and heart at any given moment.

It’s funny: Making this first post has me feeling almost nervous, like I’m auditioning for a chance to partake in the internet.

What is this page going to be? I look forward to finding out.

Some of my photography feels like as good a place as any to stat 🤷🏿‍♂️

JONATHAN PITTS-WILEY

JONATHAN PITTS-WILEY