As I continue my journey into photography, I have studied a lot of other photographers work. I've read books and watched online tutorials. This weeks post I wanted to talk about three photographers whose work and teachings have really guided and shaped me as I develop my visual style.
Jay Maisel (www.jaymaisel.com) is a NYC based street photographer whose work spans decades. His accolades are numerous and he has amassed a vast portfolio of commercial work for national companies. Chances are you have seen Jay's work. I love street photography. It's not scripted or planned. It's visceral. I love the challenge of making order out of chaos, of capturing those moments that most people miss or don't even see. Jay's most recent book 'Light, Color, and Gesture' changed me as a photographer. I took away two major things from his book, First, there is no such thing as bad light. We have good light and challenging light but in the end it is all light. Secondly, his quote, "Always wait for the trigger. The trigger is the final part of the puzzle, the reason you want to shoot." To me that trigger could be anything, the expression of a person, the light, the shadow, the color, or the addition of something to a scene which a second ago was not there. Trigger moments as I call them are everywhere we just need to learn to wait for them.
I shot this in Lancaster City. This is one of a half dozen of this woman but this one had the tigger moment which was the warm light falling onto her bright clothing. Her posture or gesture as Jay would say is also interesting.
Jerry Ghionis (www.jerryghionis.com) Jerry is a wedding photographer based in Australia, but he shoots weddings all over the world. I recently watched a presentation of his and was blown away by how he uses found light to create stunning images. A simple shaft of light coming in from a window will catch his eye and he will use that to create a masterful image. His posing of subjects in that light is also magical. He creates stunning dramatic images in the worst light and conditions possible.
This was a shot from a friend's wedding. I spotted this women who was framed in the overhang. The light was soft and even and her gaze out created the feeling of wonder.
Rick Sammon (www.ricksammon.com) is a landscape photographer who has traveled all over the world. He is also a Canon Explorer of Light. I started photography with landscapes; it is what I cut my teeth on. It still is a large part of what I shoot and my portfolio. I watched a presentation of Rick's and his concept of thinking like a painter has always stuck with me. Often times, in landscape photography we have these vast marvelous scenes which present a challenge to compose and capture. How much sky do I include? Should I put the creek in the center of the frame or off to the left? Rick's tool to think like a painter has always helped me approach these landscape scenes. I will often ask myself if I were painting this what would I include?
This is a portion of Wigwam Falls along the Blue Ride Parkway in Virginia. I used my think like a painter tool to compose this scene. The large rocks on the left side frame the water as it rushes down the rocks. The pool of water blow draws you up the rest of the waterflow and into the image.
I could list several other photographers both present and past who have inspired. The three above have really impacted my work and shaped me as a photographer. Who inspires you in your life? Let me know in the comments and make sure to subscribe to the blog.