To Be An Artist; To Be Subversive

A writer once said, "If what you're writing isn't pissing someone off, what's the point?" I've always remembered that. What are we doing that's moving the needle? Making people think? What is it about the work we do that's worth other people spending their time looking at it? I remember going with a friend to...

The Best Holiday Gifts (Now, This Is Getting Personal!)

I hear people saying how stressed out they get over the holidays with what to buy, especially for people who are hard to shop for. What to get them? It's impossible! The problem is they're thinking like consumers, not someone looking for something personal. What thing should I be buying that will fulfill the gift...

Art Mind vs. Science Mind: Which Are You?

I saw The Fabelmans today. It's a semi-autobiographical movie by Steven Spielberg where he tells the story of a young boy growing up and falling in love with the idea of making movies. It was very good, I enjoyed it very much. I had a private screening--I was the only one in the audience. Perhaps...

Is Social Media Detrimental to New Photographers?

Andy Adams of FlakPhoto asked recently which social media would photographers choose as an alternative, and which qualities they were looking for in a different platform. And I asked myself a very simple question: "Why would anyone join any in the first place?" It seems like it can only be for one reason—they aren't making...

The Photographers’ Show, Saturday Night 7p.m., Tickets $10

I have an idea. (When don't I?) I want to find a location to start a monthly salon where photographers show their work on a large screen and invite a paying audience to see their work, money some of which goes back to the photographers. Perhaps a $10 ticket price. When I look at the...

We Are at a Societal Crossroads, a Most Important Time to Be a Photographer

It's never been a more important time to be a photographer than today. You might question, "Why?" When it seems like everyone is a photographer with a phone in their pocket and there are more photographs being made today than at any time in the history of photography. The thing is virtually none of those...

Meet at the Meat Market

There's something about signage and markets. From all the way back to the Walker Evans documentary days, there's something to photographing signs to save today for a future audience. To look back on someday when things are no longer the way they are today. This is what drew me to photograph this meat market in...

Latest Portraits for The Wise Photo Project

Here are a couple of portraits for The Wise Photo Project. The couple's photograph was made with a Graflex Speed Graphic 4x5 on Kodak Tmax film. I am always looking for those moments that reveal a little bit about the subject. The first gentleman's laugh certainly is one. These legacy portraits are created for people...

Amid Billions of Photographs, Where Are the Visionaries?

I'm an optimist. An encourager. I want to be a positive force in others' lives. I believe we can do anything we set out to do if we're willing to do the work. I am known to encourage young photographers that they can, too, as long as they stick to their own vision. I wrote...

Wanna See Some Good Street Photographs?

Here are some that tell a story. These photographs were all made during a five-day visit to New York City, October 31-November 4, 2022. NY Subway Riders The NY Subway is tiring. Here we get a little connection and a moment shared between a couple. For that same reason, this next one also works. We...