Lotka, class aesthetics, and Seder's Jubilee

Or: Dispatches #17

Warsaw, Poland. 2025

There's a bit in Keri Russell's Netflix show, The Diplomat, where her eponymous character's deputy chief of mission Stuart, played by Ato Essandoh, is discussing a world crisis with his girlfriend Eidra, the CIA station chief played by Ali Ahn. In a wry, character-building scene, Stuart suggests that they should get a dog. Why, Eidra asks. In times of crisis, people have babies. They're not ready to have babies. They should get a dog.

The real world? Well, it’s in a terrible state.

In July last year, Marta and I lost our dog Bajka to a short illness and - as we later discovered - neglect and poor choices (bordering on malpractice) by the vets in whom we placed our trust. Heartbroken doesn't begin to describe how we felt in the months ending 2024. Heartbroken is still how we both feel.

In February, after much discussion, we decided we would adopt again, and a month later, tentatively, we travelled to a shelter a couple of hours from Warsaw to meet a charming, shy, scared Rottweiler-and-something mix named Drapka.

As we brought her home in the back of Marta's car, I've never seen a dog look so terrified - she has known trauma in her 2 short years. The 10 days since haven't been easy, and we've spent a lot of that time at (a different) vet, but with great patience, love and care - and an abundance of high-value treats - the wee one is starting to come out of her shell and we adore her already! She even has a new name.

So, let me introduce Ms. Lotka Tattie Scone [don't ask] Lityńska-Milton.

Lotka. Warsaw, Poland. 2025

Ok, so let’s get to the news.

---

What's been happening this month

Flo Fox, the remarkable NYC street photographer blind in one eye, has died. Kate Garibaldi looks at the legacy she leaves behind. (Petapixel)

Johnny Pitts returns with a show curating working-class photographers that presents an alternative reading of class aesthetics. (British Journal of Photography)

In honor of International Women's Day last week, Greer Valaquenta reviews Nikon's Female in Focus competition and exhibition. (Musée)

Regular readers will know how important photobooks are to me, so this editorial from Aperture questioning whether small-format books and zines outperform oversized publications made for interesting reading. (Aperture)

The Trump administration's purge of any DEIA initiatives has concerning and chilling effects government-wide. One particularly demented move has been the flagging of photos of war heroes and military firsts among some 26000 photos scheduled for archive removal - including photos of the Enola Gay because... well yeah, you guessed it. (Associated Press)

---

Dispatches from Substack

I love shooting on film. I write for Shoot It With Film. And yet, I agree with almost every word that Dina Litovsky writes in Why Shooting on Film Won't Make You a Better Photographer.

I'm a sucker for a good photo in fog, so not much to this one other than some lovely photography from Pierre François D. (Tales of Ink and Light)

Despite the Democrats emphatically failing to meet the moment with the tepid manner of protest at Trump’s Joint Address, I enjoyed Michael Shaw’s analysis of the photographs around the event.

Sticking with some politics then for the moment, what on earth is the New York Times doing? Parker Molloy looks at its recent callous dismissal of Trump's war on Trans Americans. (The Present Age)

Though Mapplethorpe's photo on the cover of Marquee Moon is omitted, Eggleston's Red Ceiling on the cover of Big Star's Radio City is there. Bill Sawalich lists his 100 greatest album cover photographs. (ART+MATH)

---

Miscellany

I was signed up to attend this seminar on Monday night; however, I had to work, so I’m happy to see it’s been uploaded to YouTube. I haven’t watched it yet, but I’ve been told it’s pretty good!

And then there’s Sam Seder’s appearance on Jubilee’s Surrounded. Now, full disclosure, I think a lot of the content Jubilee pumps out is problematic. I find their stance capricious and their claims of lack of bias to be unconvincing. That said, this has to be seen to be believed. The level of obnoxious certainty from these conservative kids, who are spectacularly wrong, is eye-watering. Come for an endless source of Seder reaction gifs, stay for the demented lassie praising xenophobic nationalism.

---

And Finally…

After a break in February, The Tinnitus Diaries returns next week - I just haven’t decided which show I’ll bring to you. Hmm.

If you’re new here, I’d be very grateful if you would subscribe to or share Photos, mostly. Sharing with 1 or 2 friends who enjoy street photography really will help more than you may think.

If you’re a Substack writer and enjoy this publication, I’d be more than humbled if you would consider recommending Photos, mostly to your subscribers.

---

Photos, mostly is free to read, however, paid subscriptions and donations help me keep making photographs and writing. All labour required to publish Photos, mostly is undertaken by me alone. As I strive to better live by my anti-capitalist beliefs, I will donate 10% of all income to anti-capitalist, leftist or progressive causes or organisations.

Please consider upgrading to a paid subscription or buying me a roll of film. You can do so by clicking here, or by aiming your smartphone camera at the QR code below.

I'm partial to some of that Tri-X 400 if you're asking. Thank you!