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space of the garage with the sign American over it. It is of course symbolic, but it is the quality of the space and the way the light falls on it. There is a purity about the site, the abstract form is so strong and sculptural. Half the shots were spoiled by the vignetting of the corners by the lens hood on the 35 mm lens in part I think by the fact that I had a clear filter on it. Also the 35 lens seemed to pick up reflections more. I will have to shoot again. I was not bothered at all, though the street is so busy I was not too worried about safety. I want so much to photograph in Brooklyn at night but I worry about being mugged.

January 20.1973

Last week I finished 800, 8 1/2x11" work proofs of my Kentucky shooting in August. This is the largest number of prints I have ever made at one time. I am not sure of the validity of this method; I have yet to sort them out. Some are too light or too dark. - In looking over the Kentucky pictures of 1964

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I find them generally weak and the new ones much better. I will try to organize them into a book dummy. The time gap between the two sets of pictures I think will prove interesting. I only wish I had a more complete coverage in 1964. There are a few of course that stand up but I believe my most recent work is more encompassing and of over-all higher quality and variety. I am in much better control now than then (as it should be).

I looked over the 1964 contacts of Kentucky. The shooting is terrible how I ever came out with anything is a miracle. So many "one shots", situations left entirely unexplored. Thank God I get better the more I use the medium.

I have printed 36 single weight proofs of the 1964 pictures and will probably use 28 for the first section of the book. I made 90 prints of the 36 pictures, most of good quality it took two days for printing, 1/2 day for washing etc. I have never dried single weight paper on screens before, I hope they don't curl too much.

Feb 2.73