A Time for Documentary, A Time for Conceptual

I talk about making photos and my approach, and sometimes I forget that there's another whole way to make photographs. Not documentary. Not people that you meet in the street and ask for their portrait. Not street photography. A photographer friend recently commented that she is looking for more photo subjects, new ideas of what...

Here Comes the Flood, Save the Photos (What Photos?)

Last week, Hurricane Ida tore through New York and New Jersey and one of the towns that was hard hit was one I used to live in, Lambertville, New Jersey. It's a sweet river town situated beside the Delaware River just north of the Capitol, Trenton, and across from its more famous neighbor, New Hope,...

The Camera In Hand Makes the Photograph

Which camera inspires you to make what type of photograph? There are times when I carry a small Leica IIIg with a tiny 50mm f3.5 or Leica II with its 35mm f3.5 collapsible lens in my front jeans pocket because they make me feel good having a small candid camera always at the ready, and...

Photographic Life Goals, Making Wise Portraits and Losing Margaret

I have big dreams for my life, my creativity and my photography. I really do live for photography and believe it can make a difference in the world and in the lives of families--like when I photograph seniors for The Wise Photo Project, it does change their world. Those photographs aren't just another family portrait...

Do People Still Send Postcards?

I have to admit I love postcards, those wonderful quarter-dollar mailers that at one time were a staple of any trip. I didn't go anywhere without picking up a handful of postcards and spending an evening back at my motel, usually on the last night of the trip, addressing cards to family and friends, stamping...

Getting a Better Camera Won’t Change a Thing (Maybe Get a Worse Camera!)

I have friends who keep upgrading to newer cameras, better cameras, bigger sensors, faster more expensive lenses, and their new photos look exactly the same as their older photos. All cameras are quite capable nowadays. It's the 12" behind the camera that matters most when it comes to great cameras and their ability to make...

The Photo I Missed (and Miss!)

I had a fun night with friends last night. We had steak with sauteed mushrooms, roasted potatoes and veggies with some cold keg IPAs. Then afterwards we played a few games of backgammon and cribbage. Lots of laughs when one of us won the game. There's no photo though. I usually bring a Fuji X100...

Valentines Day Street Photography: The Look of Lovers

The look of love is all around us when we go out looking for it. Love is a many splendored thing and comes in all shapes and sizes. Happy Valentines Day to lovers and singles everywhere. Even if you're not in a relationship, love may be the next great thing that's coming your way if...

Ralph Gibson’s Leica

I was driving along today and listening to a podcast and there was an interview with Ralph Gibson. That is one of the great things about the web, the ability to have high-quality podcast interviews with legendary photographers at our fingertips. Two things stood out from his interview. How important it was to commit to...

When Tack Sharp Isn’t Best

I love a sharp negative and photographic print as much as the next guy. I strive for proper focus. Who doesn't? But there are times when it's not about the tack sharp focus, but about the moment. When the shutter can't quite still what's happening, but it still captures it. Like these two photos of...