Curiosity Check: Who are the people who have influenced your career the most?
At different times in our lives different people have influenced our careers and our thought processes. I’m really curious who are the icons both old and new who have influenced you as a photographer. Here’s my list:
In terms of helping me understand photography, it was Hasselblad’s Ernst Wildi and while we didn’t always agree, to this day he holds the record for teaching me the most about imaging.
On lighting, education and enthusiasm for life in general, it’s Nik Software’s Tony Corbell.
On presentation style, although there are a lot of great instructors out there, nobody tops what I learned or the influence Dean Collins had on my life.
For the biggest heart and simply always being there to help anybody who ever needed support, Calvin Hayes, gets the title, hands down!
Denis Reggie changed the way all of us, including me, thought about wedding photography. He was the first person to honestly get us all thinking about the value of what we do.
And, last but not least, for getting us all to think about how one person can make a difference, but a whole bunch of us can do even more is Sandy Puc and her ability to identify a need in society that photographers could fill with NILMDTS.
I have an incredible circle of very special friends, including everyone involved with Skip’s Summer School, who aren’t on the list simply because their contribution is so ongoing, but this isn’t about popularity it’s about influence.
So I showed you mine – now it’s time for you to show yours. There are a lot of new faces in our industry making an impact together with those who we condsider icons every day.
Who are the people who have influenced you the most in your photography today?
This post has 24 comments
July 29th, 2009
My first major influence was Robert Piccoli. I used to ride into town to see if he had new display pics in his window in my teens. He was very good and very expensive so he really helped create the perception that quality photography cost money.
My second was Peter Owen who took me on as an assistant and gave me honest feedback on my own work. almost 20 years ago he was teaching me how to use multiple flash setups and video lights on weddings.
David Oliver was one of the early adopters of the photo journalistic style in Australia and in the early nineties had a huge influence on my work. I never went fully pj but it definitely added a new dimension to my work.
Vincenzo Ggingi taught me about sales a couple of years after i opened a studio and had he not done so i may not be a photographer today.
Lately i would have to say Jerry Ghionis. What inspires me about his work is that he seems to constantly be evolving and not sitting on his past glory. Always pushing creative boundaries.
July 29th, 2009
My list of photographers who have influenced me most: Ansel Adams, Leon Kennemer, Monte Zucker, Pat Cirino and Edward Weston.
July 29th, 2009
I think I would have to say Hugh Jacob was my first major influence. I havent heard from him in a long time but he is a tech. genius.
July 29th, 2009
Michael Taylor for teaching me ‘how to see the light’ and Tony Corbell for showing me how to use it.
Ann Monteith for her brilliant business sense and willingness to go where no woman had gone before in our industry.
Lori Nordstrom for showing us all how to use a heart as well as a camera.
Helen Yancy for always reminding me to do something every now and again just for ‘me’.
Burt and Cindy Behnke because they represent what love and support of friends in this industry really mean.
Would including Skip Cohen at this point just be sucking up? LOL
July 29th, 2009
So many photographers have influenced me over the years it’s hard to limit my response.
Shirley Fisher opened the door to my future when she enthusiastically taught me and many others the techniques and fun of photography at De Anza College in Cupertino, California. It was then, the first time I saw a photographic print appear in the darkroom, that I began a photographic journey that has yet to end. I was hooked.
During my early years in photography people like Robert Farber, Jim Marshall, and Gary Bernstein opened my eyes and photographers Linda Lapp and Lisa Evans opened my heart.
Later, as I sought professional and technical understanding, Dean Collins and Bill Eastabrook opened my mind like no others could.
And when it came time for me to understand more about how to relate to people and business Don Burrell opened my world.
July 29th, 2009
Bill Potthast of Winter Haven, Florida – my first job at a professional photography studio. He is an artist and I was just a hippie kid – we used to study a book of Yousef Karsh’s portraits and make the lighting in his studio. He also taught me the right way to process film, hand print color and black and white and do retouching. Thanks, Bill!
July 29th, 2009
Matthew Brady was influential in my involvement with photography… I’d have to also say along with Ansel Adams, Edward Weston… I would also like to thank Edward Land, George Eastman and Mighty Mouse whom I would be lost without… actually, seeing each one mentioned above has greatly influenced my professional career… there was this little Jewish friend who was a photographer in Savannah Georgia… his name was Alan Ullman… his love for photography was 2nd only to mine… we become best of friends and first met at a seminar by Joesph Zeltzman back in 1973… whom set the path of lighting for the rest of my career… Alan passed away in the late 70’s and there is a Square in Savannah named after him… As I start to think about who influenced me the list grows and grows and I have never met anyone in this industry who hasn’t had some kind of impact on me… Don Emmerich is known as Paul Revere of the digital age… Monty Zucker changed our portrait industry single handly… Andy Foster had the most advanced commercial studio in the 70’s & 80’s… Gib Ford, Jack Reznicki, Bill Martinelli, Nik Colquit, Bill (Merry Christmas) Meriweither… the one person who put me on the path I’m in today is Dean Collins… who is in my thoughts every single day… if you have the time I’ll list many more… but I’m certain of one thing… if you love this profession of photography… you will certainly influence me…
July 29th, 2009
Hi Skip – wow so many folks come to mind. Many of my early influences were people nobody has ever heard of. These were just hard-working portrait artists and photojournalists working in the 60s and 70s to earn a living who were kind enough to teach me what they could. John Reasoner, Jack Jason Hyack and Fred Tomlinson. You couldn’t find a scrap of data online about these guys. They were just regular Joes who helped a newbie.
Later in my career I was influenced by Georgia O’Keefe, Ansel Adams and the entire f64 gang. (I’m proud to still own the f64.com domain.)
In the early to mid 90s when I started getting serious about portraits and weddings I spent time with Joyce Wilson, Monty, Clay Blackmoore and others. I learned a great deal about posing from Bambi’s workshops and books.
Like you I thought Dean Collins was one of the best teachers. I took his lighting courses when I shot fashion stuff.
Bill Fortney, Arthur Morris and John Netherton influenced my landscape and wildlife work.
July 29th, 2009
Influences? Mostly the golden oldies…Edward Curtis, Harry Callahan, Jeanloup Sieff, Jacques Lartigue, Henri Cartier-Bresson…and then Sally Mann (can you tell I’m into b&w?!?). More recently, fine art photographers Marcia Lippman, Brigitte Carnochan (exquisite color!).
Thanks for asking!
July 29th, 2009
I think you have to be sure to include artists in the mix. The great Da Vinci wrote so much about light and shadow that he made us all think. Of course working with Dean Collins I can’t help but be influenced. But those working today who influence my thought process include Gregory Heisler, John Sexton, Chris Rainier and in Hollywood, Jonathan Exley who has this week’s cover of Michael Jackson. Great photographers all.
July 29th, 2009
There are so-so many : because I cannot list all their names – growing up in the 50’s – I’ll have to say all staff shooters from both “Life” and “Look” magazines , along with Francesco Scavullo , Jacques Lowe and of course Richard Avedon and I deeply continue to admire Jay Maisel . As Tony Corbell says above be sure to include artists in the mix . . . hands down . . Norman Rockwell , his work is always displayed on our coffee table.
July 29th, 2009
The greatest influence on my photography has to be God. I would have to include Leon Gurley now deceased, who took time each day and taught me how to shoot when I first picked up a camera. Of course I must credit the great instructors at Hallmark Institute of Photography especially Dick D’Allesandro who awakened me to commercial photography. I have to mention Skip Cohen showed me how far a photographer could go in the corporate world and photography could be blended with business and Tony Corbell on how to light the darkest alley to shoot a masterful portrait. And Denis Reggie showed me that a photographer could establish himself as an outstanding photographer, create an arena for his photography to excel and still remain humble.
July 29th, 2009
I have always ways been inspired by Herb Ritts and Annie Leibovits….
In our industry I think Kevin Kubota and Joe Buissink are some of the best teachers and fill me with inspiration. They have big hearts and give so much to our industry. Not bad photographers either….
RE
July 29th, 2009
W. Eugene Smith and WeeGee were two of the greatest photographers that I admired. As for wedding work Monte was and still is the man.
July 29th, 2009
Elliott Porter, with his environmental advocacy for Glen Canyon, the Appalachians, Coastal Maine, etc. showed me what a single image, or compilation can say. I’ve been trying for forty years to translate that.I’m still trying.
July 30th, 2009
Probably sounds cheesy, but my father. Funniest and nicest guy there is. All the technical stuff is easy, but having a sense of humor – I don’t know how you teach that. … laughter puts my clients at ease (sure they’re mostly two-year olds) and the rest follows naturally.
He even booked me tophotograph his award ceremony awhile back in a show of support (even though I’m sure he’d prefer if I was a doctor or lawyer or something).
July 30th, 2009
Good question Skip! In the early days when I got started, (hah, makes me sound old) I was in to commercial photography and I got my first taste of seminar education from Dean Collins. He was an amazing teacher and I was hooked! My first ever wedding seminar was actually with Dean Collins and Dennis Reggie speaking together – which seems like such an unlikely combination, but it worked for me. I really admired what Dennis was doing at the time and I also loved the technical side of Dean.
A couple years later, I attended my first WPPI (dragged there by my first mentor, George Carranza) and I saw Joe Buissink speak. I was so inspired by his beautiful work and passion for weddings that I knew that I was in the right profession! I never looked back
In all the following years, though, the reality is that I get inspiration from all the amazing “un-known” photographers that I am privileged to meet at my seminars and workshops. Their is some really amazing talent and enthusiasm out there and it can be contagious…if you are open to it!
July 30th, 2009
Skip Cohen, of course!!
July 30th, 2009
Our industry is so full of visual genus’ that are givers. I’ve learned from so many photographers. Some famous and some not. Every time I speak, I learn something from several people in the class. It isn’t always what we learn, but what we get the opportunity to see in people’s work. Sometimes it is simply a vision of what is possible to help push us to new heights financially. Marcus Bell, Joe Buissink, Monte’ Zucker, Stewart Powers, Gary Fong, Dennis Reggie… all from different backgrounds and styles have all helped shape my career. Some I know personally, some vaguely, but regardless of opinions I may have or others may draw of anyone… Thank you all for sharing!
July 31st, 2009
Please forgive me lack of guys that have gone before us. I’ve been in this industry for only short 3 1/2 years. Here’s my list of people in the photography industry that have influenced me:
1. Bob Davis
2. Mike Colón
3. David Jay
4. Skip Cohen
5. GH Kim
All these guys mentioned above have given me so much when I was just starting out. I’m humbled that they reached out to someone like me and gave me a chance at this industry which I am in absolute love with. There are so many others out there that I can mention – in the past couple of years I met most of them and walked away from it a better photographer/person. But for sake of time, you know who you are. Thanks!
July 31st, 2009
I learned so much from that real Southern gentleman and awesome wedding photographer Ron Warwick. I also was inluenced by newspaper photojournalist and book author Philip Gould of Louisiana, Amy Arbus, artist Janet Hanchey, Tibor Horvath for his pricing techniques, Monte for his tender heart and quest for beauty, Sebastião Salgado for his powerful eye and striking images, Skip Cohen and his amazing ability to take on any challenge then instantly cut to the chase and solve it, still admire the amazing images from Cartier-Bresson – what an eye and such timimng, Joe Buissink – he really gets it and his work is as lovely as his heart, Rachel LaCour Niesen has one of the most amazing eyes – one terrific photojournalist, I love Marcus Bell’s work, Jeff Ascough gets it bigtime, too. Geez, ther are so many that I really admire and credit, sorry to go on and on…. DR
July 31st, 2009
and Dean Collins… he was the greatest photography teacher evr and simplified the complex in such a funny and telling way. I really miss him.
August 1st, 2009
My first great influence were the rock shooters. Annie Lebowitz (sp?) has been a guiding force in my imaging for 25 years, and I have never had the chance to meet her. I have been blessed to meet just about all of my “heroes” in the photo world who have lit the motivating fire within.
My first posing seminar was with the Powers. I wrote down every wedding pose Stewart was doing and adapted it into my weddings. And it was his lighting and Monte’s lighting with one softbox and a reflector that reflined my wedding work.
When I was a student I bought every book possible and Gary Berstein and Dean Collins were well worn then. As well as a collection of beautiful black and white books by Ansel Adams.
Later in school, four instructors greatly influenced my work with their black and whites, Clay and Doug Boylan, and David Lezko and Mark Garber for their wedding work.
When I joined PPA it was Don Blair, Monte, Tony Corbell, Darton Drake, Tim Kelly, Bruce Hudson, Arthur Rainville, Doug Box,Bambi,Jim Churchill,Joy Wilson and Jon Johnson who gave me either very direct hands on critique or their style that made a mark on my soul. Don Blair needs special mention because he was the father I didn’t have and he taught me many things beyond photography as a young fledgling in this business. And their have been so many others along the way, you too Skip!
I believe we learn from each person we encounter if we take the time to slow down and listen with our hearts. Then our creative mind can take that input and wrap around it to bring it into its own ideal of how your own personal art should be represented. Thus the output is a combination of so many things we learn and see over the years! The more we learn,the more life experiences we gather, hopefully the more depth and emotion will be evident and represented in our work as it matures.
August 5th, 2009
I can’t think of five off the top of my head. I find myself not being able to take this question lightly. I remember years ago telling Stevn “Only look at work that inspires you completely. Look for inspiration in the beautiful images. Don’t spend time looking at work that is not inspired or beautiful. A lasting impression from an image is critical. Let it be a compelling, beautiful image.” With that being said. Bambi Cantrell has been my mentor in photography. Never stops teaching, sharing; reaching for the most stunning image. She pushes me on to reinvent constantly. Her work gets more beautiful every day. Photography and art is her life. Her concepts work. I went a completely different direction than wedding photography. Every principle I learned from this girl propelled my business to the top; we are still climbing. Stevn Alavekios… My inspiration in life as my husband and artist photographer… He is unpredictable and creative beyond anything. His connection with our clients and the work he creates is amazing. He is a man that can arise above circumstances that are unbelievable and his endurance…wow! His images amazing and very true. The energy in his photography happens daily and it shows. For visual inspiration I love Marcus Bell. Never met him in person. His work is beautiful. Yervant… What can I say. Amazing.
Jim Garner, his work is gorgeous. His kindness immense. Luly Yang, a huge influence in my life as an artist and designer. Collaborating on projects with other artists is so great. Mixed media at its best.
BTW… all these photographers and artists I speak of, are because Bambi Cantrell shares so passionately about beautiful work; great photographers and has encouraged me to look at their work. Oh…except Stevn. I found him, or actually he found me.