Whilst We Wait, We Won't Wither

The Waiting Is Over
by Erin Emocling
Manila Bulletin, December 06 2011
Picture Perfect: Photo Exhibit

Primarily involving the trifecta of analogue – film photographs, handwritten letters, and waiting – Whilst We Wait is a localized version of USA film photographer Jeff Nachtigall’s The Art of Waiting. Composed of Filipino film photographers who have been patiently waiting since April of last year, this analogue project aims to visualize the participants’ future through a heterogeneous mixture of unseen images and hopeful words. Every month for a year, the participants (including myself) take a film photograph or two. Nothing gets developed until after a year. During the waiting period, we express what we hope to have captured on film through handwritten letters.

The project’s core revolves around the concept of waiting. It is all about being hopeful and promising. During its course, it became way too promising that committing to it for an entire year triggers doubt, hesitation, and procrastination among its contributors. But without us consciously being aware, more than a year has already passed by. Most of us have aged, physically or psychologically or both; some of us have undergone changes – an alteration of interests, a change of heart, a shift in career, a variation of belief; and, most significantly, all of us have learned something out of waiting.

After more than a year, the painstaking wait of everyone involved with the project has finally culminated. Our rolls of 35mm and 120 films have finally been developed, cross-processed, and printed. Various songs on waiting have been composed and compiled. Nothing wilted. No one withered. Yes – the long wait is finally over! On December 10th, we will be unveiling our year-long preserved film photographs and handwritten letters. Our public exhibition will take place at 55 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City, from 4PM onwards. The event will be presented by Lomography Manila. Lomographers in the metro and analogue photography enthusiasts are most especially invited to join us. There will be acoustic sets by local indie bands and a mini bazaar. For more details, you may visit www.facebook.com/WhilstWeWait or contact erin.emocling@lomography.com.