Newsletter
Newsletter
Mitchel Lensink

Mitchel Lensink

The Netherlands
Photographer and writer working on long-term projects that uncover the overlooked beauty and quiet goodness in the world, shared in my monthly newsletter Dialogue.

104 | What's a man to do with a deadline? →

What’s a man to do when everything that could be done has been done? Is he then done? Of course he is not. Why would a man be done when his life is not done. There’s more time, more things to see, experience. So, why would a man stress over a deadline? If he is never done, a deadline isn’t at all dead. There’s no end at that line. No death. It’s merely a pause. A moment to reflect. A quick stop on an everlasting journey. Deadlines are mirages. Non existent. The only deadline is true death and

103 | I make fine art prints now →

What’s a man to do when he can no longer dedicate his energy to making a book-shaped thing? I know! Make fine art prints.  You can take a look at the store right now. How escjting! Or you can wait until I have the time to clarify things further. Either way, please know that everything is a work in progress. Goodbye now.

102 | I'm thinking about scheduling my downtime, is that weird? →

This might sound weird. I’m thinking about scheduling my downtime. Yes that definitely sounds weird as hell. It’s just that I’ve come to a point where if something isn’t in my agenda, I’ll probably forget about it. This also applies to downtime. I have to actively remember to take some time off or otherwise I just continue working on stuff. Tinkering with things infinitely. So, you know, maybe I should just schedule having a break every now and then? Perhaps take an hour or two in the evening.

101 | No more to do items for me →

To do * cover * intro * font * layout * outro * test book Do you see that? The to do list if finally crossed off. I needn’t share that final step here because it was mostly to keep my sprint going two weeks ago anyway. Nevertheless, I feel like I owed it to myself to check it off. Aaaaand I deserve it too. It feels good to complete things. I can’t wait to hold the physical book in my hands in a few days!

100 | 100 days of Monologue →

100 days. 101 days if we’re being exact1. This project has been going for 100 days now. Can you imagine? A few words here and there turned into a few thousand words this year. That’s more than I’ve written in the past five years added up together. That’s an accomplishment in itself, if you ask me. Am I getting better at this thing? How should I know? You be the judge of that. Just know that I’m writing this thing ten minutes to twelve after four beers. That’s all I have to say for now. See

099 | I’ve watched this new Street Diaries episode by Joe Greer →

I was watching this new Street Diaries episode [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjOzfJe6TRo&t=752s] by Joe Greer1 and there were a few moments that stood out to me that I want to quickly highlight here. The first moment is around the 11 minute mark [https://youtu.be/yjOzfJe6TRo?t=673] when Joe runs into another film crew who’s following some extravert girl dancing around. The second moment is when they run into some guy called Jimmy K [https://youtu.be/yjOzfJe6TRo?t=789] who is determined to ins

098 | Wide, medium, close, textures →

What if, and hear me out here, I actually listened to my own advice for once. Remember how I made a note to myself to focus more on textures? How I should shoot wide, medium, close up and also; textures? Well, that’s exactly what I did today. It’s funny that I remembered to do it because usually when I arrive to a scene, the setting gets a little hectic and I forget a few things here and there. Never to the extent that it matters much to the final product. Just enough for me to think I could’ve

097 | The weather stays dreary but that won’t stop me →

The weather stays dreary but that won’t stop me. I’m still getting on that bike. I’m still taking photos whenever I can. I’m still hanging in there. I let the production of One Two One rest for a couple of days and revisited this afternoon. As expected, I made some minor adjustments. Nothing major. The cover took a little more effort. So much so that I can’t bite the bullet on that one yet. I’ll sleep on it for another night.

096 | It seems like winter is back again →

It seems like winter is back again. It’s a shame because I was thriving on fresh vitamine D. Nothing beats those early season balcony-sessions. I guess we’ll have to cozy up inside just a little longer. In any occasion, as long as there’s good food and fine entertainment I’m okay with it.

095 | Free camera straps for sale →

I started giving away camera neck strap samples to my friends and I love the idea that my creations are now out there, being used by people. I handed out three yesterday and today I made another seven, to be distributed in the near future. Hopefully, the feedback will be mostly positive. I’ll think about selling them properly soon after.

094 | I sit down and I (don't) think →

As I write these things, I sit down and don’t think about things too much. That’s a lie. I think about all the things too much. Still, I try to not restrain myself with second thoughts and overthinking. I need to register my purest thoughts. Allow my future self to peer back into my current mind. It will be a good reminder of where I once was. A little ‘hey you’ from my present self. A small nod of approval. I’m sure.

093 | Textures →

Textures. During documentation, focus on textures and patterns. Shoot wide, shoot medium, shoot close, shoot textures.

091 | This week I'm sprinting (pt. 4) →

Almost done! I did forget to add ‘do final checks’ to my to do list, which is a lot more work than I initially realised. In any case, I think I’m looking at a final product now! The cover needs another look but to make that hold any value, that needs a different day. I am absolutely crossing it off the list though. In other news, making books in fun and I am definitely turning these Monologues into one as well. I better put in the effort everyday to make them worthwhile! Also, working out is go

090 | This week I'm sprinting (pt. 3) →

More progress! But... I also don’t want to talk about the project in depth anymore until it’s done. I’ve shared all the steps and details along the way but frankly, it’s even become a bit boring for me. Like, don’t I have any other thoughts anymore? No other insights? Perhaps not. Maybe this is literally 1 the only thing that’s keeping my mind occupied. In any occasion, the sprint continues2 To do * cover * intro * font * layout * outro * test book --------------------------------

089 | This week I'm sprinting (pt. 2) →

I still can’t think of a few proper words for the intro. I need something that sets the mood but does not plainly give everything away. I already do that at the end of the book. The moment I stop thinking about it, I’m sure I’ll think of something. Hopefully tomorrow. Or the day after. Anyway, at least the layout is finished! To do * cover * intro * font * layout * outro * test book

088 | This week I'm sprinting →

My to do list from yesterday has now turned into this week’s sprint to get this thing done. I won’t allow myself to dwell on things any longer. So, I finally settled on a font. Mostly by not thinking too much about it anymore and just use one of my favorites. The layout also got some work but that should be finished tomorrow. To do * cover * intro * font * layout * outro * test book

087 | My to do list for the coming week →

I need to: * design a cover * write a few words for the intro * find a font * finalize the page layout * settle on the outro * make a test book * adjust accordingly * make more copies * move on to the next project.

086 | How much of it really matters →

How much of it really matters? I mean truly matter. My guess is, not much. Not many things are worth the effort. It’s only when you want it, when it matters to you, that the allocation of energy can be justified. This should be common knowledge. I think. But I still see many people around me getting worked up over nothing. It makes me sad. But I don’t want to be sad. I’m not getting worked up over it. It’s not worth my energy.