In defining a “sense of place” we face all kinds of obstacles. One of the major issues can be weather. Many photographers don’t even bother to go out if the sun’s not shining, it’s snowing, raining, foggy, etc. But it’s something we have no control over and you have to learn to “play the hand your dealt”.…
my last shot on my last roll of kodachrome
Today I received my last roll of Kodachrome film back from the lab. It was a strange feeling because since “going digital” five years ago, I haven’t shot a roll of film. But, when it was recently announced that Dwayne’s Photo Lab in Parsons,Kansas (the only Kodachrome processor left in the world) was going to…
Iceland Workshop/Photo Tour
Like many of you, I have never been to Iceland, but I can’t wait for this trip… it’s going to be a fantastic adventure! This particular photo tour/workshop is designed to capture a “sense of place”. Where other classes go there to shoot landscape, we’re going to be photographing the local people, culture, architecture, etc. and…
A “Roast” to my friend Jay Maisel on his 80th Birthday
Since we’re all aware of Jay’s brilliance as a photographer, teacher and mentor, I think that this is probably the time and place to share some personal observations and feelings about him: I’ve known Jay for over thirty years and he’s always been more like the older brother I never had… occasionally giving me advice…
Point of View
Every time I show this photograph, people turn their heads sideways because they are certain that it is not being projected correctly. BUT, it is! Taken in Hong Kong, the “green” is the side of an apartment building with laundry being extended from the unseen balconies. In photography there are always at least 2 points…
go out empty, come back full… of images
At almost every workshop I’ve taught, someone will come up and ask me what they should shoot and/or where they should go to shoot. I try to explain that photography is a process… a process of discovery. Not only do you discover things to shoot, you discover things about yourself as a photographer. And, you…
In praise of the moment
I was listening to the Bob Edwards Show on XM radio this morning. He had a great interview with singer/songwriter John Mellencamp. Among other things they talked about the production of Mellencamp’s new album, “No Better Than This” ( a teriffic album!). The album, produced by T. Bone Burnett, was recorded live using a 1950’s…
My day with Henri
The great photographer, Henri Cartier-Bresson, had been very close with my friend and mentor, Ernst Haas. After Ernst died in 1986, I began compiling a list of friends and acquaintances of his to interview for a potential documentary project. At the top of the list was Cartier-Bresson. Knowing his desire for privacy and his well-known…
“You have to get up pretty early in the morning…”
Logo, brand, trademark… early on in my career, I was advised about the importance of a distinctive “mark”… something that, along with my work, would stand out and connect with clients. While I didn’t have a clue as to what that should be I did have the good sense to go to my friend, the…
Just ask Reggie
Several years ago, I had dinner in Houston with my friend and fellow photographer, Greg Gorman. As is any dinner with Greg, the food was fantastic, the wine supreme and the guests fascinating. In particular that night, I met a young man named Reggie Bibbs. Reggie suffers from a debilitating disease called neurofibromatosis. NF, as…