Just a reminder to everyone that I will be opening my first ever gallery show on Sunday in Winchester.
It is open to all and will be held at the Aberjona River Gallery at the Aberjona Nursing Center at 184 Swanton Street in Winchester.
The opening is Sunday Nov 18th from 3 - 5 pm and light refreshments will be served.
Hope to see you there!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
20 Questions.....
I was recently contacted by a college student, and asked aout my career. I thought I might share the exchange with you all. Feel free to comment or ask any questions....
Joe,
I am currently enrolled in a News Photography class.
One of the requirements for the course is to complete
a report on a contemporary photojournalist. Would you
be interested in being interviewed for my report?
Thanks,
Adam
I agreed to help him, and he sent me the following questions. Each is followed by my answer...
1) What is your background and education?
I don not have any extensive photography training. I picked up a camera in the 6th grade and basically never put it down. I have in my lifetime only taken a couple of organized courses. But I have attended many seminars and the like and photography comes somewhat naturally to me.
2) What types of work do you produce?
I am a general photographer - I produce what the newspaper needs everyday, and then for my commercial work it is whatever the client needs - that is one of the biggest joys of this job - I NEVER EVER have the same day twice.
3) If you have won any significant awards, what are they?
OK I have to admit that I am not big into competitions and awards. I have won a couple of awards from the New England Press Association and several blue ribbons and a best of show from the Woburn Guild of Artists, but really they are not the driving force in my work. I do not go out everyday and look for art to win awards. I look for art to fill the newspaper and tell the story of what life in Woburn and the surrounding area is like.
4) Why did you choose photography?
Well, this is a long story, but here is the nickel version of it ... as stated I got my first camera in 6th grade. I was in a class for "gifted" students when the teacher tossed me a camera, told me to dissect it, and write a report. Well, I was hooked - but not enough to make a career out of it. My true love was (is) the ocean, and all through school I worked on getting my commission to the Naval Academy or the Coast Guard Academy. Well, and this is somewhat ironic, I failed the physical exam for both of those schools due to my EYESIGHT. Yup, my uncorrected vision prevented me from pursuing my dream, so I just picked up my other dream, and ran with it. After a couple of years out of High School and finding regular college was not for me, I began selling cameras at Hunt Drug in Melrose, and through some of the customers there, I landed the gig at the Woburn Times newspaper, which then through a number of events, became a full-time gig for me (and happily so!)
5) What are your sources of inspiration?
Wow, this is a hard question, but here goes - in the early days of my photo career, I was chasing ambulances a lot, and spending ungodly amounts of time out on the road. This prompted a friend to introduce me to the work of an old NYC photographer called WeeGee. He was the ultimate spot news photographer and I still to this day love looking at his work. More recently, meaning 20 years ago, I was taught the craft and art of photography and darkroom skills by George Rizer of the Boston Globe, Jon Hill of the Boston Herald, and double Pulitzer prize winning photographer Stanley Forman. All of whom I am now proud to call friends. I also learned a lot from nature and landscape photographer Arthur Griffin. Arthur's books have been an inspiration to me for years and I am most grateful that I got to know him before he passed away. More recently I am also inspired by Lou Jones' work - he is just fantastic, and by some of the work of William Thorpe, Adam Seligman, and many of the photographers at the SOPHA Studio in Manchester NH. You know, IMHO, it is hard to limit this list to a handful of people, as I really believe we are inspired by every image that we see. Even when we make the I like it / I don't like it judgement of a photo or piece of art we are inspired by that piece.
6) Do you have any special techniques or tips?
I don't really have any special techniques that I use, as for tips well, there I am loaded! First off - I think every serious photographer should learn how to develop and print their own B&W FILM. Yes I said FILM. Find a camera, shoot a roll or two and find a darkroom to process it. Learn about the magic of the dark. I really mean that. My darkroom experience has been able to help me with Photoshop. I know that may sound strange, but it is absolutely true. Secondly - pay attention to light. The direction, the color, the intensity - even when you are NOT photographing. Learn to see where the light is coming from and where it is going. Look at reflections and glare and try to learn from it. Light is a fascinating subject and since it is a close as a flashlight in your hand, or as far away as a distant galaxy, it will NEVER be the same twice. Look at it and learn it. It will make you a stronger photographer. Finally, get down and get dirty with your photography. I learned that as a child from that old TV show the Magic School Bus. Get down and get dirty. I do not believe that the "rules" of photography are written in stone. The rule of thirds, or triangular composition, or even that the sun needs to be behind your back for the best photos. NO NO NO!! Break the rules, find your own rules and then break them. Shoot, learn, shoot learn. And always remember to have fun.
7) What type of equipment do you use?
I am a Nikon Digital Shooter, but I learned with a Pentax K1000 film camera and had several other Pentax cameras before switching. I have the normal compliment of lenses and flashes. But please remember that the equipment DOES NOT MATTER. It is the person behind the shutter button that makes the tool work.
8) Is there anything else you would like to mention?
Well, now that you have me writing, I could go on forever. But I think I could leave you with this. As stated above, I believe you must be open minded about photography. I have been doing photography for more than 20 years now and I strive to learn something new about the craft and art everyday. Do I succeed in that? Not always. But I try. One of the joys of digital, beyond the instant gratification of seeing the photo on the screen, is the ability to shoot and shoot and shoot. The ability to learn and experiment. I remember the film days - would I hit the shutter and burn through a roll of film with out thinking about it? No way. I am afraid to hit it now? No Way! With the digital revolution you are only limited by the amount of batteries and the memory cards you have.
Thanks for the opportunity to help you with this - any chance you can send me a copy of your report when you are finished with it ? I would be intrigued to see it.
Joe B
Joe,
I am currently enrolled in a News Photography class.
One of the requirements for the course is to complete
a report on a contemporary photojournalist. Would you
be interested in being interviewed for my report?
Thanks,
Adam
I agreed to help him, and he sent me the following questions. Each is followed by my answer...
1) What is your background and education?
I don not have any extensive photography training. I picked up a camera in the 6th grade and basically never put it down. I have in my lifetime only taken a couple of organized courses. But I have attended many seminars and the like and photography comes somewhat naturally to me.
2) What types of work do you produce?
I am a general photographer - I produce what the newspaper needs everyday, and then for my commercial work it is whatever the client needs - that is one of the biggest joys of this job - I NEVER EVER have the same day twice.
3) If you have won any significant awards, what are they?
OK I have to admit that I am not big into competitions and awards. I have won a couple of awards from the New England Press Association and several blue ribbons and a best of show from the Woburn Guild of Artists, but really they are not the driving force in my work. I do not go out everyday and look for art to win awards. I look for art to fill the newspaper and tell the story of what life in Woburn and the surrounding area is like.
4) Why did you choose photography?
Well, this is a long story, but here is the nickel version of it ... as stated I got my first camera in 6th grade. I was in a class for "gifted" students when the teacher tossed me a camera, told me to dissect it, and write a report. Well, I was hooked - but not enough to make a career out of it. My true love was (is) the ocean, and all through school I worked on getting my commission to the Naval Academy or the Coast Guard Academy. Well, and this is somewhat ironic, I failed the physical exam for both of those schools due to my EYESIGHT. Yup, my uncorrected vision prevented me from pursuing my dream, so I just picked up my other dream, and ran with it. After a couple of years out of High School and finding regular college was not for me, I began selling cameras at Hunt Drug in Melrose, and through some of the customers there, I landed the gig at the Woburn Times newspaper, which then through a number of events, became a full-time gig for me (and happily so!)
5) What are your sources of inspiration?
Wow, this is a hard question, but here goes - in the early days of my photo career, I was chasing ambulances a lot, and spending ungodly amounts of time out on the road. This prompted a friend to introduce me to the work of an old NYC photographer called WeeGee. He was the ultimate spot news photographer and I still to this day love looking at his work. More recently, meaning 20 years ago, I was taught the craft and art of photography and darkroom skills by George Rizer of the Boston Globe, Jon Hill of the Boston Herald, and double Pulitzer prize winning photographer Stanley Forman. All of whom I am now proud to call friends. I also learned a lot from nature and landscape photographer Arthur Griffin. Arthur's books have been an inspiration to me for years and I am most grateful that I got to know him before he passed away. More recently I am also inspired by Lou Jones' work - he is just fantastic, and by some of the work of William Thorpe, Adam Seligman, and many of the photographers at the SOPHA Studio in Manchester NH. You know, IMHO, it is hard to limit this list to a handful of people, as I really believe we are inspired by every image that we see. Even when we make the I like it / I don't like it judgement of a photo or piece of art we are inspired by that piece.
6) Do you have any special techniques or tips?
I don't really have any special techniques that I use, as for tips well, there I am loaded! First off - I think every serious photographer should learn how to develop and print their own B&W FILM. Yes I said FILM. Find a camera, shoot a roll or two and find a darkroom to process it. Learn about the magic of the dark. I really mean that. My darkroom experience has been able to help me with Photoshop. I know that may sound strange, but it is absolutely true. Secondly - pay attention to light. The direction, the color, the intensity - even when you are NOT photographing. Learn to see where the light is coming from and where it is going. Look at reflections and glare and try to learn from it. Light is a fascinating subject and since it is a close as a flashlight in your hand, or as far away as a distant galaxy, it will NEVER be the same twice. Look at it and learn it. It will make you a stronger photographer. Finally, get down and get dirty with your photography. I learned that as a child from that old TV show the Magic School Bus. Get down and get dirty. I do not believe that the "rules" of photography are written in stone. The rule of thirds, or triangular composition, or even that the sun needs to be behind your back for the best photos. NO NO NO!! Break the rules, find your own rules and then break them. Shoot, learn, shoot learn. And always remember to have fun.
7) What type of equipment do you use?
I am a Nikon Digital Shooter, but I learned with a Pentax K1000 film camera and had several other Pentax cameras before switching. I have the normal compliment of lenses and flashes. But please remember that the equipment DOES NOT MATTER. It is the person behind the shutter button that makes the tool work.
8) Is there anything else you would like to mention?
Well, now that you have me writing, I could go on forever. But I think I could leave you with this. As stated above, I believe you must be open minded about photography. I have been doing photography for more than 20 years now and I strive to learn something new about the craft and art everyday. Do I succeed in that? Not always. But I try. One of the joys of digital, beyond the instant gratification of seeing the photo on the screen, is the ability to shoot and shoot and shoot. The ability to learn and experiment. I remember the film days - would I hit the shutter and burn through a roll of film with out thinking about it? No way. I am afraid to hit it now? No Way! With the digital revolution you are only limited by the amount of batteries and the memory cards you have.
Thanks for the opportunity to help you with this - any chance you can send me a copy of your report when you are finished with it ? I would be intrigued to see it.
Joe B
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