Image copyright Sal Cincotta. All rights reserved. "Why?" is all about the backstories of some of the most talented artists in imaging. Each artist is unique as are their images. With each favorite image we've shared we've learned a little more about a photographer who needs to be in your network.
Sal Cincotta is in the spotlight today, and as I mention in my intro, he may well be one of the most diverse photographers in business today. Too many of you only know him as the founder of Shutter Magazine and ShutterFest. Well, it's time to meet Sal Cincotta the photographer and artist. Interested in seeing more of Sal's work, just click on the image above. Even better subscribe to Shutter Magazine and enjoy another one of his visions turned into reality, creating the leading magazine in professional photography! The online subscription is FREE, but the printed publication is stunning, and you'll want to add it to your monthly dose of inspiration! And, check out ShutterFest and your chance to spend some time with Sal and a whole bunch of us who are part of the fastest growing hands-on, educational and fun conference in photography. Registration is now open - See you April 18-20 in St. Louis!
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Image copyright Michael Oneil. All rights reserved. "Why?" is always about the backstories behind great images, shared by some of the industry's most respected photographers.
It's time for you to meet Michael ONeill. Based outside NYC, he's the fifty-fifth artist in this series with a terrific backstory about the image above. While each "Why?" image and backstory has been unique, the common denominator for everybody has been their passion for the craft. Although there's nothing Michael can't shoot, his passion is bringing fine art to his clients. He never compromises on the quality of an image and has spent his career fine-tuning his skill set. In the podcast he mentions a workshop he attended many years ago with Dean Collins, a good friend and inspiration to so many of us in the industry. It's a classic example of the importance Michael puts on education and his interest in being both a teacher and student today. As an artist, educator, and writer you'll find a lot of great content with a visit to his website. Just click on his image. Image copyright Melanie Anderson. All rights reserved. I started "Why?" to introduce you to the movers and shakers in the industry, never realizing the power of the backstories behind each image. With every image there's been a lesson and today's "Why?" with Melanie Anderson is a perfect example.
Melanie not only shares "Why?" this image is one of her favorites, but her story is the perfect reminder of what photography is all about. I'm often accused of over-using the words "memory-makers," but that's what imaging is all about. So often artists forget about the trust their clients have put in them to capture images that tell a story. Melanie isn't just a great artist and educator; she's a storyteller. Even without her sound-byte you get part of the story just looking at her image. If you don't know Melanie, catch her at an upcoming workshop. Click on the image to visit her educational site and put her on your list of people who need to be in your network! Image copyright Art Wolfe. All rights reserved. The original purpose in starting the "Why?" series was to introduce you to photographers who needed to be on your radar, but it's evolved into so much more. Every image is unique, and some of the most respected artists and educators in the world are sharing the backstories about their favorite images.
I consider myself one of the luckiest guys in the industry because I've had an opportunity to work with so many artists in my career and one of them is Art Wolfe. While there's probably very little Art hasn't photographed, most of us know him as one of the leading artists in the outdoor world, and a conservationist, but his work covers so much more. In Art's about section on his website is a sentence that best describes his work: "His goal has always been to win support for conservation issues by “focusing on what’s beautiful on the Earth.” Art Wolfe needs to be on your radar, especially his books and workshops. The only thing more impressive than his images is the passion he has for the craft and helping photographers raise the bar on their images combined with the way they see the world! Click on Art's image above to visit his website. Images copyright Nick Vedros. All rights reserved. With every image, there's a backstory, and with each backstory, we learn a little more about the artist. Meet Nick Vedros, one of the finest commercial photographers in our industry. When I think back to how long I've known Nick, the things he's doing, thanks to digital today, he was doing manually twenty years ago with film. Here's a favorite example - the image to the right. He did this for a 1995 Hasselblad ad that included Kodak Ektachrome and Polaroid. He wanted the subject to look like he'd tripped and was falling down the stairs. So he built the set flat on the floor and photographed from above. The falling subject is actually on a stool, which an assistant is turning from underneath. Dragging the shutter and being a master of lighting, Nick was able to make it look like he was falling. It never occurs to the viewer the whole shoot was done from a horizontal perspective rather than vertical...and that's the creative magic that comes from Nick's mind's eye visions. The image he's sharing on this episode of "Why?" has a great backstory. It's a testimonial to creativity and technology. Nick explains the process in terrific detail. With the help of digital technology, he's put his dancers on the twelve-inch stage being built to the left! Check out more of Nick's work with a trip to his website. Just click on the image above and then sit back and just enjoy the work. Nick once told me he was influenced by "The Far Side" and cartoonist Gary Larson. You'll see the connection in the humor, and often quiet wonderful sarcasm, of so much of his work. Nick is an artist who never compromises on the quality of any image, or his relationships with vendors, clients and especially his friends! And, if you see Nick's name on the program for any convention or conference you're attending, run don't walk to get a seat. Image copyright Joe Buissink. All rights reserved. "Why?" is all about the backstories behind the favorite images from some of the most respected artists in professional photography. But they're more than just respected artists, and Joe Buissink is a perfect example.
Joe is an artist, a writer, educator and a great friend to so many of us in the industry. His outlook on life couldn't be more Zen-like. In fact, listen to one of his programs, and there's an inner peace he presents as he talks about being an artist and a profession he dearly loves. Although Joe and I had been friends for many years and his winning print competition images were all over the halls and walls of Rangefinder Magazine and WPPI, I didn't get to know him until we wrote a book together. That's when I really started to understand the depth of Joe's passion for the craft and technical expertise as we narrowed down thousands of stunning images to 150+ for our book, "Wedding Photography from the Heart." From the heart, clearly describes Joe's style of photography, including the way he works with clients. As posted on Amazon: "His goal is not necessarily to take technically perfect photos, but to capture the right moments, transforming intimate, emotional memories into timeless images." Check out more of Joe's work by visiting his website with a click on the image above. And, if you see Joe's name on the speaker platform at any upcoming convention, don't stop at just attending - make it a point to introduce yourself. You couldn't ask to have a better person in your network! Image copyright Ralph Velasco. All rights reserved. "Why?" is all about backstories, and as we approach our first fifty episodes in the series, one of my favorite qualities of the project has been the diversity of the artists. From macro to landscape to weddings, portraits, babies and critters we've had a guided tour of the world by some of the industry's most talented and respected artists.
The spotlight this morning is on travel photographer Ralph Velasco. The fun for me is his background as not only an accomplished artist, but an expert in relationship building with his subjects, often from different cultures. His URL says it all, "PhotoEnrichment.com." While photography is a huge part of each adventure, being on a trip with Ralph is just as much about understanding the cultural experience visiting the area. In this new episode of "Why?" Ralph's story proves a point about people in general - humor, friendliness and photography are universal! Check out more of Ralph's work by visiting his website with a click on the image above. Then imagine being on a trip with him, and the experience of capturing your own backstories and the images to go with each one. Image copyright Tom Curley. All rights reserved. When I started "Why?" I had no idea the fun I'd have in working with each artist, and today is a perfect example. For many years I've talked about the best thing about the photographic industry, and it has nothing to do with images directly. It's the friendships that come out of everyone's love for the craft.
My good pal Tom Curley is in the spotlight today. Tom and I met at least twenty years ago in previous "lives." Since that first meeting we've worked together on dozens of different projects, trade shows and conventions. Tom's key role in the industry today is the leadership for Panasonic's Luminary Team, a group of incredibly diverse and talented professional photographers. While he's not a working professional photographer, I'll match his enthusiasm, passion and love for the craft against anybody in the industry! In fact, the image he's sharing on "Why?" today is a perfect example. Click on the image above to see more of Tom's work. Panasonic's tagline is "Changing Photography," and it's thanks to Tom and the Luminary Team, my own passion for imaging is revitalized almost every day. I'm never without a camera and Panasonic's technology in every LUMIX camera keeps pushing me to expand the boundaires of my own creative envelope. Images copyright Arthur Rainville. All rights reserved. This is the forty-eighth episode of "Why?" since I started the series on April 22. Each artist has something different they wanted to share, and today's with good pal Arthur Rainville is no exception!
As only Arthur could do, with his creative energy running at full steam he asked if it was okay to share two of his favorite images. He promised he'd connect them. LOL Well, Arthur's two images span fifty-one years of his career from a picture of Martin Luther King in 1965 to an image just captured two weeks ago! He never compromises on quality, not just in his images, but in his relationships with his students, friends, vendors, and associates. So, while Arthur talks about slowing down a little these days, if you see his name on any conference or convention for a program, RUN don't walk to get a seat. He still holds the title for the best presentation I've ever seen, and that's over my entire career! Nobody can keep you glued to your seat like Arthur. Check out more of Arthur's work with a click on either image to visit his website. And, to get to know him a little better, watch this short inspirational video thanks to Tamron USA. Just click on Tamron below. I posted it two weeks ago and like everything with Arthur's name on it - it's simply remarkable! Image copyright Suzette Allen. All rights reserved. I started "Why?" for two basic reasons. First, I wanted to introduce you to artists you should know about. Second, I was hoping each featured photographer would share the backstories about their favorite image. Everyone has exceeded expectations and this new "Why?" brings still imaging and 4K video together for the first time in the series. Suzette Allen is in the "Why?" spotlight and this is truly a backstory with a point. It's all about pushing the boundaries of your own creativity and sometimes working completely outside the box. Suzette says it all at the beginning of her story: "It's like breaking through into a whole new arena!" You owe it to yourself and your clients to never stop learning and experimenting with your skill set. Listen to Suzette's story as she pushes the envelope of technology and gets to a completely new place to share her vision. To see more of Suzette's work, check out her website with a click on the image above. Suzette is also an X-Rite Photo & Video Coloratti, always paying attention to color calibration and never compromising on the quality of an image. You'll find more about her on her Coloratti page - just click the link below. Image copyright Beverly Walden. All rights reserved. It's probably 20+ years ago I met Beverly Walden for the first time. We were at the PPA National Convention, now called IUSA. Beverly won top honors in Kodak's Gallery Awards and my good buddy Terry Deglau wanted the award to be recognized with a little "horsepower," a Hasselblad camera. As the President of Hasselblad USA, I got the honor of making the presentation.
Over all these years, I've watched Beverly grow as an artist and somebody who constantly gives back to the industry. She's become one of the most talented artists in portraiture, always pushing herself in new directions and taking advantage of everything technology has to offer. One thing that's never changd - she NEVER compromises on the quality of her images or relationships with her clients, friends and vendors. Last week I shared one her Tuesday Tidbits from Walden Coaching. As always, Beverly focuses on ideas to help you raise the bar, not just with your images, but in the efficiency and effectiveness of running your business! Check out more of Beverly's work by visiting the Walden's Photography website with a click on the image above. And, if you need help in becoming a stronger entrpreneur and artist check out Walden Coaching. It's just a click away. Image copyright Rob Knight. All rights reserved. The fun of this series is all about the backstories behind the favorite images from some of photography's most respected artists. We look at thousands of photographs, but never hear the stories behind them.
Panasonic Luminary, Rob Knight is in the spotlight for this new episode. What I love most about this particular backstory, is the insight Rob shares on the relationship between the environment and creativity. Costa Rica, travel and education are a huge part of Rob's life, and this short sound-byte captures one of his primary goals - to create high impact travel workshops for every guest! Just click on the image above to visit Rob's website, and check out the LUMIX Lounge to follow Rob and the other members of the Luminary team. Image copyright J.B. Sallee. All rights reserved. A great image demonstrates the skill set and vision from the artist's mind, but the backstory shares what's in their heart.
This photograph by J.B. Sallee represents so much more than his signature as an outstanding artist. This is about J.B.'s commitment as a father. What I love most about it, is his ability to demonstrate how he used his camera to create a lifelong memory for his daughter. I've known J.B. and his wife, DeEtte for fourteen years, going back to the very beginning of his professional career. During that time I've watched him grow as an artist, a Dad and a good friend to so many members of the photographic community. Check out J.B.'s site to see more of his images, with just a click on the "Why?" image above. And, while normally we don't link to workshops in a "Why?" post, the one below was just announce two days ago and is already half full. If you're looking for a pretty incredible educational experience, there are just a few spots left in Scotland with J.B. next summer. Just click on the banner below for all the information. Image copyright Tim Walden. All rights reserved. If I have to be completely honest about how "Why?" got started, it was out of frustration. I was tired of meeting photographers who knew nothing about the artists who have helped build our industry. Not only did they not know the legends who have since passed on, but they were clueless about contemporary photographers making a difference today. Well, that was 43 artists ago, and the concept is still going strong!
We look at thousands of images every week, but rarely hear the backstories behind them. Through the stories and the passion of the photographers themselves there have been some remarkable lessons shared. Plus, in the process of sharing you're meeting some of the most respected artists in imaging today! It's time for you to meet Tim Walden. Tim is a all about passion for the craft and one look at his work and you'll know he NEVER compromises on the quality of an image. I was able to sit in on one of Tim and Beverly's classes at Marathon's MAP Getaway summer before last and something they talked about really hit home. They're not selling photography but creating an experience and the result is a family heirloom! Check out more of Tim's work by clicking on the image above and visiting Walden's Photography. And, if you need help building a stronger skill set and business, check out Walden Coaching. You'll never be disappointed in the help they can provide. Stay tuned to "Why?" because next week you're going to pick up another backstory, thanks to the other half of the family, Beverly! Image copyright Dixie Dixon. All rights reserved. Every day we're exposed to thousands of images online, on television, in magazines, books, computers and the list goes on and on. We take it for granted that somebody clicked the shutter and captured an image. What we're missing all the time are the backstories.
"Why?" is all about the backstories from some of the most respected artists in professional photography, and it's time for you to meet Dixie Dixon. She's one of the very best known fashion artists in photography today. This is an especially fun episode of "Why?" for me, since I met Dixie at the very start of her career as a WPPI Scholarship recipient just out of school. Over the years I've followed her career and today you'll find her speaking on behalf of a number of photographic companies, one of them being X-Rite Photo & Video. She's a Coloratti and you'll find more about Dixie on her X-Rite profile. Just click on the Coloratti link below. To see more of her work, just click on the image above to connect to her website. Image copyright Wes Simpson. All rights reserved. I started "Why?" to introduce you to the movers and shakers in professional photography. There are now forty-one artists featured in this series and it's only the beginning. We look at thousands of images every week and never know the stories behind them. We take photography for granted and often think of it as simply the result of somebody clicking the shutter, but most of the time there's so much more. "Why?" is about those backstories. Meet Wes Simpson, a talented wedding photographer from Liverpool. This is the first "Why?" from the other side of the "pond." Just like Wes sharing the story on this image, there's a short backstory on our friendship. The Internet has made the world a much smaller place. I was introduced to Wes in the Facebook Wedding Photographers Forum when he shared the image to the right. Minutes later I caught him on an IM for permission to share the complete image in a spotlight blog post. Well, that's where it all started and since then I've noticed a regular flow of comments and information in a couple of different forums, making it obvious that Wes has an almost unmatched passion for the craft. You'll find more of his images on his website. Just click on the image above. And, follow Wes on Facebook, as well as in the Facebook Wedding Photographers Forum, now at over 30,000 members. Image copyright David Guy Maynard. All rights reserved. "Why?" started out as an idea to introduce you to the movers and shakers in the industry. Now, forty photographers, images and backstories later, it's become one of the most fun features I've ever shared on a blog.
We look at hundreds of images every day and take the process of creativity completely for granted. It's just another picture, but to the artist who captured the image it's a favorite for a wide variety of reasons. Plus, with every back story to date, the originator has often shared some solid educational content. Meet David Guy Maynard with today's new "Why?" David is an educator, artist, writer and primarily focuses his passion on portraiture, but in all honesty, I doubt there's anything he can't photograph. Even though we share a lot of mutual friends, we finally met through his affiliation with Tamron USA as an Image Master. You'll find more about him with a click on the image above as well as his Tamron Image Master page. Make sure you keep track of his workshop schedule and follow him on Facebook. He's on the road teaching throughout the year. Image copyright Doug Box. All rights reserved. Ansel Adams once said, When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence. "Why?" is about photographs from some of the most respected artists in photography today, along with their words, the backstories behind their favorite images. Now at 39 artists featured in this special SCU segment, you'll find each contributor has had something different to talk about, but the common denominator is always the same - how much they love the craft!
Texas photographer and good buddy, Doug Box is in the spotlight. You'll find Doug's approach to the backstory very different from many of the previous images shared. As one of the industry's leading educators, he hit the "Why?" question pretty hard, because it's the first question he typically asks his students. He goes beyond why they're choosing to create an image a certain way and instead, works to understand why they're working hard to be a photographer. There's an excellent podcast I did with Doug on Weekend Wisdom. It's all about partnership marketing and he shares some outstanding insight. Doug is somebody who needs to be in your network. You'll find out more about Doug with a click on his image, and if you're walking the floors of a convention and you see him walk by, make it a point to introduce yourself. You couldn't ask to have a better person on your "team." Image copyright Joe Farace. All rights reserved. "Why?" is all about the favorite images of some of the most respected artists in professional imaging today. There's always a different backstory with every image, but there is a common denominator - the pure love for the craft by each artist.
This new "Why?" has Joe Farace in the spotlight along with a story and a reminder of the behind the scenes effort so many images take to capture. Rarely is any image the result of just a point and shoot moment! Joe is definitely somebody who should be in your network and on your radar. You'll regularly find him at his main blog, Saving the World One Pixel at a Time. Plus, Joe, along with Mark Toal and Mary Farace have a terrific blog, Mirrorless Photo Tips. Mirrorless technology is changing the way so many photographers are capturing images today and shooting mirrorless brings with it a whole new set of creative tolls. Image copyright Lee Varis. All rights reserved. We all look at thousands of images each week, of which many we don't honestly notice. However, now and then there's an image that draws us in, but we never hear the backstory directly from the artist. I started "Why?" for two reasons: First, to introduce you to many of the most talented and respected artists in photography, and second, to learn the backstories behind some incredible images.
It's time for you to meet Lee Varis, although I suspect many of you have attended his workshops over the years. He's written several books, been published in most of the key photographic magazines and has been active at one time or another with just about every major imaging association. He has a phenomenal expertise as a result of 40+ years in photography and over 20 years in computer imaging. Check out Lee's website by clicking on his image. You should also book mark his tutorials, and if he's teaching near you, run don't walk to get a seat. You'll find a calendar on his site with his upcoming schedule. Lee's also a relatively new member of X-Rite's Coloratti Pro team, although his link isn't up on their site yet. Regardless, click on the logo below and meet some of the finest artists in the world, all connected by their respect and appreciation for color calibration, accurate viewing and printing, and of course, X-Rite Photo & Video. |
Our Partners"Why?"Check out "Why?" one of the most popular features on the SCU Blog. It's a very simple concept - one image, one artist and one short sound bite. Each artist shares what makes the image one of their most favorite. We're over 100 artists featured since the project started. Click on the link above and you can scroll through all of the episodes to date.
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