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One of the hardest things for someone like
me to do is write a bio. But I know that you probably want to know
something about the guy who's going to photograph your event and if
he's qualified, so here goes.
My Father gave me my first camera when I
was about nine or ten. It was love at first sight. You put film in
the camera, turned the knob, focused, made some exposure adjustments
and pressed the shutter release. Twelve exposures later and in
exchange for a roll of film, I was given twelve pictures. It was a
miracle!
After a while my Dad saw that I was really
interested in photography so he converted a small portion of our
basement into a darkroom for me. Some chemicals, a contact printer,
a developing tank, and a few gadgets and I was in business. I even
read a book on film developing and printing!
By the time I reached High School I had
graduated to a used Leica. Some of the pictures that can be seen in
my gallery today were taken with this wonderful camera. It was in
High School that I gained some formal knowledge of photography. Our
class was blessed by having an exceptional teacher by the name of
James Jarvis. I learned how to make my own developer, fixer and stop
bath. I learned the basics of lighting and how to use a view camera
from Mr. Jarvis. The class had a full darkroom complete with a
battery of enlargers! I even loved the way the place smelled!
When I graduated High School and went on
to Business School, photography took a back seat. You see, a
decision had been made that I should work on Wall Street and become
a Broker. So for twelve years I was a Broker. Pictures of family and
friends only. Oh, some landscapes too!
In the early nineties, while being involved
in several business ventures, my interest in photography was
renewed. I constructed a full darkroom in my home along with a
framing area. So now I could not only take the picture, I could
develop it, print it, mount it, mat it, and frame it. But could I
sell it? I believe that you can have all of the formal training, and
be able to use your skills in a workmanlike manner. But to take
exceptional pictures, you must have talent. That you can't be
taught. You have to be able to see a subject in your minds eye,
convert the image into an emotion that the viewer can feel. If you
can do that, you have talent. Yeah, I have talent, and I have sold
many portraits and pictures.
Portraits. In my opinion the greatest
portrait photographer that ever lived is Monte Zucker. I had the
honor of working with Monte in 1993-1994. Working with Monte if the
final brush stroke that is needed for any masterpiece. Many people
have said that the portrait that I have taken of them is the most
flattering picture that they have ever seen of themselves. It's not
only the use of light to shape the face; it's not only the ketch
light in the eyes or the look on the face, or the natural pose. It's
the inner self. It's the look. I don't know how to say it any other
way.
Sure I could write about all of the magazines
I have shot for, and all of the celebrities I have photographed, or
all of the awards and ribbons I have won. I could write about my
display at the Cummer Museum in Jacksonville or my article in
Newsweek. It's the art.
Hear me! If all you want are workman like
pictures or snapshots, go somewhere else. However, if sensitive, and
touching, artful photography is what you’re after, give me a call. I
do it for the art.
(M)
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