To drive into Houghton, Michigan—a small college (Michigan Technological University) town in Michigan’s upper peninsula (U.P.)—is to be welcomed by a tidy, small-business-filled-main-street downtown. It had been years since I’d been there. It didn’t look like a lot had changed, but that’s a good thing. Change is too frequent for me and a lack of …
The season right after winter and right before summer is a strange one indeed, especially when it comes to photography. Of course, depending on where in the world you are, springtime has different meanings and styles. In the Midwest of the U.S., it’s a time when the snow is melting—not that a snowstorm won’t hit—revealing …
Ansel Adams had the majestic views of Yosemite Park. Henri Cartier-Bresson had the picturesque streets of Paris. Vivian Maier had the gritty and people-filled walkways of Chicago. If you’re like me though, places like that are not nearby. I learned long ago that there are amazing photographic opportunities right in your backyard if you’re willing …
Early springtime in Michigan is a strange season, when everything takes on the color of a brownish gray hue. It’s torture for the vivid color seeker. Photographically though, drab colors allow other colors to pop. Also, there’s an authenticity to drab colors, even if vivid colors are absent. Many photographers try to capture the best …
Film photographers rejoice! With film stocks continuously going the way of the dodo, Kodak has recently made photo headlines worldwide with their latest photography offering. Last week my Instagram-scrolling thumbs were halted in their tracks when I came across the announcement that Kodak was coming out with a new medium format film: Kodak Gold 200 …
Why Kodak Gold 200 (35mm) is One of the Best Films Read More »
Street photography is easy. It isn’t complicated and you can do it, today even—right now, in fact. Ask 100 photographers what street photography is and you’ll probably receive 100 different answers. To me, street photography is making images anywhere outside. Street photography can include people or not, but it should always be a genuine moment—never …
When I was first going to school for photojournalism, it was highly suggested that we carry our camera with us at all times. As a photojournalist, this is crucial. It’s important to be ready whenever something interesting takes place, breaking news unfolds or just because a photographer wants to make an image for the sake …
2020. It’s not that I sat down, ready to write after months, weeks or even days of contemplation for an end-of-year post. On the contrary, it just happens that I’ve found myself at my laptop with a few spare moments to jot. A year ago it was 2019; yet it may as well have been …
No Need to Travel Far Imagine this: It’s 14 degrees Fahrenheit in your quaint burg and you’re trying to find the inspiration for making pictures. For those of us in the Midwest’s finest snow belt, a decent pair of warm gloves and boots can be hard enough to find, let alone a dose of creativity. …
Why Small Towns in Winter are Perfect for Photography Read More »
Chicago, Illinois The gritty and storied streets of Chicago are only five hours away, by car and train, from our front door. Yet, it’s on the extreme other end of the spectrum as far as worlds go. Grit, characters, flashing lights, buildings—so many tall, beautiful buildings—honking and life. Steam and smoke rise out of nowhere …