On Saturday I participated in a virtual conversation with the great photographer Joel Meyerowitz and the International Center for Photography’s Managing Director of Programs David Campany.  Many thanks Susan for bring this to my attention!  Why might you ask would I be interested in hearing Meyerowitz talk, as the bulk of his career has focused on color work, and in recent years he has gone digital? The answer can be found in some of the points he made during the hour plus Zoom discussion.  Here are a few of the most important:

• The heart of defining yourself as an artist is to know who you are.
• “Watchfulness” allows you to put yourself in the proper place for the picture, either through movement in one direction or another, or by speed to get into the proper position to capture the scene.
• Photography is all about description.
• The way to differentiate your work today when everyone is taking pictures is to have an idea about yourself in “your time” and know what is meaningful to you. Otherwise don’t take the picture because you’re merely making a snapshot.
• Find something personal. What do you respond to, not what others may respond to.
• Street photography is about the “absurdity of life”; you need to be curious.
• Develop people skills and communicate with them when you are photographing, as you need to be close in (6-8 feet).
• If you are blocked or have plateaued, have the courage to break through and move on from what you have done (That is why he took up the 8×10).
• Go back to earlier work you did to see what you have overlooked.

Meyerowitz’s thoughts are inspirational and important.  They apply to whatever type of photography you do and whatever tools and medium you use.

Meyerowitz is 82 years old.

He makes photographs every day.

Stay safe,

Michael