Making The Most Of It

“To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan, and not quite enough time.” LEONARD BERNSTEIN

I tried to watch Maestro, last year’s biopic on the great Leonard Bernstein, but after about twenty minutes or so I turned to my wife. Almost fifty years being together we know each other’s looks and what to do with them. Off went the movie. So Leonard, you will have to live on for me when I turn on my stereo and listen to one of your great recordings.

Then there’s your brilliant statement of what should be the obvious, quoted above.

As I get closer to my seventieth birthday I have been thinking more and more about what Bernstein said. Actually, I’d been thinking about this for a long time, but not in these exact terms. When I stumbled across this somewhere on the Internet things became clearer to me than ever before. I/we all want to achieve great things, in life and in our photography … but how?

Let’s focus on the photography part. NOTE: In the case of my non photographic life my plan has been not to have a plan and it’s worked out remarkably well! I’ve worked very hard at doing only the things I’ve wanted to do as they presented themselves. I’m not wealthy but I’ve lived a life full of great meaning and purpose.

In my photographic life I’ve established and worked towards plans to meet specific projects/objectives, and to achieve success in completely ad hoc ways … always cognizant of the time I have to accomplish my goals.

The problem is that there will never be enough time, and I’ll admit to thinking about this often. As we reach a certain age it becomes clear that all we want to accomplish may not be possible.  Think about it … in photography you often need to travel some kind of distance to get to where you want to go. You need to be able to walk around the area you wish to photograph, and be able to see well enough to find and properly frame and focus your subject. Of course you also have to be able to see well enough to produce the final realization of your vision in the darkroom. Yah, I know, there are some work arounds but don’t kid yourself …  in reality, everything has an expiration date.

What to do? Make the most of it. Most of what? Everything! Get your plan(s) together and use your time wisely to achieve your goals. Of course we can’t be photographing all the time, but we can be thinking, learning, and preparing, so that when we do photograph and make prints in the darkroom we make the most of our time and achieve the great things Bernstein spoke of. For me there’s even more. The great things go beyond the pictures themselves. That’s the icing on the cake. It’s all the other meaningful stuff that surrounds the work and happens because of it … the people I meet … the experiences I have.

So little time.  Cherish it and use it well.

Stay well,

Michael

Dictatorship and Art … What’s At Stake?

Super Tuesday is now in the rear view mirror and we now know for sure who is going to be on the ballot come November.  Yes it will be a rerun of 2020 and the choice we make could not be more important for our democracy and many of the other things we take for granted that are made possible by our democracy. Focusing for now on photographers and other artists, re-election of former occupant of the White House could have disastrous consequences.

We all know his infatuation with autocrats, and in particular his long running bromance with his sweetheart Vladimir Putin. So how have things worked out for Russian artists lately and is this something we should be worried about if the Orangeman and his coterie come back for the revenge tour and other fun stuff?  Let’s take a look at an excerpt from a February 24, 2022 Freedom House analysis. If anything, what is described probably is much worse two years later. The full article can be found here: https://freedomhouse.org/article/cracking-down-artistic-expression-another-strike-against-russian-democracy

“There is a section of the New Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow where one turns a corner and the art transforms from the Soviet to post-Soviet era—an explosion of color, emotion, gore, heart, and the freedom that 1991 hearkened spreading across wall after white gallery wall. This captures the powerful mix of opportunity and possibility that defined the Russia of the 1990s. Today, the brutal persecution of the Russian artistic community has destroyed an integral piece of democracy—bringing an end to the dreams of freedom displayed on the New Tretyakov’s gallery walls.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the Moscow regime has eliminated any opportunity to express independent perspectives in the country—enforcing a politically homogenous public through a potent combination of legislation and propaganda. Russian authorities have arrested and detained almost 20,000 antiwar activists and pursued more than 3,400 criminal cases against citizens for any infraction deemed to discredit Russian forces. Propaganda media guides assert stringent policies for outlets to discuss the invasion and ongoing war along government lines, helping complete a total social “purification.”

This crackdown extends to arenas of art and culture which served as important spaces in civil society throughout the 1990s and 2000s, when lines between art and activism blurred. Citizens’ ability to make sense of and express their perspectives through art is a crucial tenet of democracy in any society—only made more urgent and valuable as citizens endure personal and political crises which spur its necessity. Over the past decade, the regime has carefully lowered its tolerance for politically-provoking art, using broad legal jurisdiction to censor the arts around pro-Kremlin lines.

Since the start of the war on Ukraine, authorities have raided concerts in Moscow and fined musicians, including legendary rockstars Andrei MakarevichYuri Shevchuk, and Boris Grebenshchikov, over antiwar expressions. Legislation has placed dissenting filmmakers and writers on wanted lists, proposed book bans equating queerness in literature with pornography, and blatantly censored art exhibitions to comply with Russian National Security Strategy. On June 29, the Moscow Cultural Department dismissed the leaders of three prominent theaters, including the Gogol Center, a prominent, beloved oppositionist theater known for its community spirit and alternative visionary mission in Russian culture.

Refusal to cooperate under strict sociopolitical conditions means harsh consequences for dissenting artists. In March, theater management across Russia began pushing their teams to make public pro-war statements, and many fired cultural workers over their open criticism of the war. The 15th annual ArtDocFest, Russia’s largest documentary festival, was canceled after Russian nationalists attacked its director. In April, playwright Mikhail Durnenkov posted his hopes for a defeated Russia on Facebook to find his account immediately flooded with threats. Signatories of an antiwar petition quickly lost work, including director Dmitriy Krymov, whose performances were canceled in Moscow. Prior to the war, film and television management circulated stop lists of Russian actors who held dissenting views in 2021, systematically purging artists who did not politically conform.”

Then there is Trump’s soulmate and idol, Hungary’s prime minister and strong man Viktor Orban. On Friday, the two paled around at Mar-a-Lago. Great #@$%^&.  Like Putin and most other autocrats, Orban came to power democratically and began to destroy democratic institutions, the rule of law and the free press. In November 2022, the Artistic Freedom Initiative (AFI)  released the Artistic Freedom Monitor report on Hungary – Systematic Suppression: Hungary’s Arts and Culture in Crisis. The full report can be found here: https://artisticfreedominitiative.org/projects/artistic-freedom-monitor/hungary/

A summary the report states “Over the last decade, Hungary’s Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, has implemented constitutional, legislative, and administrative changes aimed at consolidating his party’s control over the arts. Under Orbán’s leadership, Hungary’s previously independent arts and culture sector has been refashioned as a mechanism for advancing a singular ethno-nationalist narrative. …. Systematic Suppression exposes how Orbán’s administration wields policy to limit free expression, restrict plurality in the arts, and encourage self-censorship among Hungarian artists.”

I think you get the picture.

What can we do?  Whatever you can to make sure things don’t go south in November. If we don’t we only have ourselves to blame for what happens next.

Stay well,

Michael

An Unexpected and Wonderful Surprise

Paula Chamlee told me to meet Edward Nowak. He’s the owner of Archetype Archetype Gallery located in a former Good Will Firehouse Building in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Old No. 3 to be exact! Paula told me Edward had a gallery and that he was a photographer, but wasn’t sure if the gallery was still open. Well, it turned out that it was … and it wasn’t but I’m jumping ahead. Soon enough I made contact with Edward and he invited me to come by for a visit. Even offered to treat me for lunch and that sealed the deal!

I drove through the pouring rain from Doylestown, about an hour’s drive away and finally pulled into the parking lot sitting next to Old No. 3. What a wonderful old building with the words Good Will over the doorway!! I got on my raincoat and called Edward to let him know I had arrived, and in a jiffy he came down to meet me. I knew things were going to be interesting when I noticed he wore a beret. I wear one too. But I wasn’t prepared for what greeted me when at the top of the stairs!

Adams, Weston(s), Cunningham, Avedon and more!!!! I just sort of stood there in awe. Good thing I didn’t fully lose control or I might have tipped back on rolled down to the front door. But there was more … a huge assortment of books and then Edward’s color photographs. Yes, that’s right … color … digital color. Edward is a marvelous color photographer. The gallery is pretty much closed to the public which has let Edward concentrate on his personal color work. Good for you, Edward!

I had a wonderful time enjoying all the tremendous images on the gallery walls, but most of the time was spent talking with Edward. I got a chance to learn about someone who had truly lived a photographic life.  The galleries he owned, the students he taught, the famous photographers and notables in the photographic world he met. All the time working together with his wife and partner in a lifetime endeavor. I had fun, learned a lot and received sage advice. We agreed to stay in touch and I’m already looking forward to my next visit to see Edward and Old No. 3.

Every once in a while you get lucky and something unexpected and wonderful takes place. Something did for me last Wednesday.

Stay well,

Michael

Living a Creative … and Fulfilling Life

I finally got Paul McCartney’s recently published photographic documentary 1964, Eyes of the Storm and his two volume The Lyrics.  These books now compliment his Paintings that I have owned for a while. Can’t believe I got Paintings for a buck at my local library’s fundraising book sale! So here’s something about Sir Paul that shouldn’t need a newsflash … he’s one creative guy!  Song writer, musician, singer, painter. Not bad at all.

Unfortunately we all can’t live the enchanted life he’s lived, if for no other reason a lack of a billion dollars give or take some millions. But that’s all right. I’ve written many times here about living a photographic life and I try to do everything I can to do just that.  But there’s more I want to do to live a greater creative life while still managing work, having time for my dear wife and family, maintaining friendships, being an audiophile and music lover, walking ten miles a day, and all the rest. That’s a lot for sure and I’ll be the first to say I think I’ve lived a pretty charmed life.  But I know I can make it even better … a more creative and fulfilling life.

First, I live my photographic life. I photograph, print, collect and read photographic monographs, run the Monalog Collective and travel the journey that photography has put me on, one that is almost 60 years and counting. I also love music, almost all kinds and I’ve been a serious audiophile since I was a teenager. My vinyl collection is made up of over 6,000 records and counting. I also read books and articles online. And I’ve been very lucky in my working life. I’ve only worked for those I wanted to and have done only what I believe in. Following this path has enabled me to spend time with my family, as well as my friends pretty much when I want to, and to do all the other things I love.  The choices I’ve made have led to earning less than I could have otherwise, but they’re choice I don’t regret one bit

I have a pretty fulfilled life, filled with great meaning and purpose, but now I want more. More creativity. I guess, I want to be more like Paul. And why not? I’ll turn 70 this year and although my new grandchildren approved policy is to tell people I’m 53 when asked, time is marching on. I know I can’t paint or draw; that’s one of the things what led me to photograph in the first place. But there is another creative thing I think I could do … learn to play an instrument. Afterall I have beautiful piano we bought when our kids were growing up. It sits in our living room, serving as fancy platform for family pictures to rest on. I’m pretty sure I could find a better use for it. I’ve also tried a few times over the years to pick up and learn how to play the guitar, always giving up because of all the other things I had going on. Well the time is coming baby … one instrument or the other … or maybe both!  What else?  I would like to write more. I actually write quite a bit beyond what you read here. For years I’ve written reports, studies, articles and even speeches. I’ve had a couple of book ideas I’ve thought about for a long time and probably could think of a few more. I’ve also always wanted to make a “photo-text” book like Wright Morris did. I think I can do all of these things when my working life slows down and maybe some of these things even if it doesn’t. I just need to make it so.

Writing all of this makes me very excited! I really mean it! I can have an even more creative and fulfilling life going forward. Even when I’m no longer working, I’ll find a way to keep involved in things that are important to me.  I’ll have all the creative stuff and the family and friend’s stuff too. And here’s the thing, all of this is mutually supportive.

My photographic life can only become better!! Damn!

Stay well,

Michael

A Bit About My Photograph … “Man in a Doorway, Paris”

Another Paris photograph? Guess so. This one was done in the early Eighties around the time I made Metro, Paris. I’m pretty sure I made it using a Leica rangefinder, but to be honest I can’t remember which model it was. If I had to take a guess, probably an M4-2.  Cash was still tight then and it was cheaper than an M2, M3, M4 or M4P. Most Leica people are pretty particular about their precious cameras and the M4-2 is not seen in the same league as the “classic” M2, M3 or M4, but it was and still is a great user camera!

I always took my camera with me on all the many trips I made to Paris for my government work, and always made sure I found some time to stroll around that incredible city. Even if time was short there was just so much to see that I would be hard pressed not to find something to photograph!  Skipping the taxis and metros when traveling in any great city is always a good idea. Not only to do get to make photographs, but all that walking allows you to eat very well and burn off the calories. This is particularly important when visiting Paris!

Anyway, I was walking around as usual.  Not sure where I was going and on my way to getting lost when suddenly I noticed a man sitting on the steps in front of a large old wooden doorway across the street. I have always been a sucker for doorways and have had a lifelong project capturing them, but it has been rare that I included anyone in those pictures. I quickly decided this could be something special so I immediately ran over before the gent might decide to get up and leave.  One problem … as I got over there people just seemed to show up out of nowhere … damn tourists and some Parisians were getting in my picture!

There wasn’t anything I could do, shooing them away wouldn’t help … they were tourists and Parisians!  And they were stopping to look at my picture! I waited around for a while, but things weren’t getting any better. Now I was starting to worry that I might get skunked if didn’t do something fast!  Adding to my anxiety was the fact that it wasn’t just anyone sitting in a doorway, but someone that clearly been around the block and looked very interesting. Maybe he had been a prizefighter at one point in his life because the contour of his nose seemed to go in several directions. But there was more! I also noticed that on the stone wall that made up part of the doorway next to where he was sitting were some very interesting graffiti drawings, including a crucifixion scene.

I had to get this picture and soon … crowd be damned! I wasn’t going to be defeated so I struggled to get as close as I could to capture the scene with my 50mm lens.  I maneuvered the best I could, lined things up, focused and tripped the shutter. I knew there were going to be people in the way, but it was the hand I was dealt, and so I hoped for the best.

Back at home looking at the proof sheet of pictures I had made, the scene of the man in the doorway stood out. Still only some serious cropping would save the day.  Of course in today’s digital world Photoshop would have solved the problem in a jiffy, but for me it is what it is and I am still very happy with my image.  Sometimes, all you can do is make the picture and hope for the best as I did. Sometimes it pays off!

Stay well,

Michael

What Goes Around Comes Around … In Photography … And In Life

Two weeks ago or so I received a request from a follower of this site who lives in Florida concerning the Heiland Split Grade printing system. I couldn’t offer much but I knew at least one person who could, my friend Gary in the UK.  I contacted him straight away and he agreed to lend a hand. Gary is a great guy and a terrific photographer, and I’m sure he’ll provide more useful information than bargained for on the ins and outs of the Heiland!

A few days later I had lunch with my good friend and photographer extraordinaire Paula Chamlee. I needed some help and advice regarding Monalog’s Visions of America project. I wanted to remunerate her for some curatorial help and we quickly agreed to at an extremely fair price for her time.  But Paula also offered to be available to provide other assistance as needed, as one photographer to another. Why? Because that is what good people do.  Thank you Paula as always! What goes around comes around!

The above having been said, I’ve met my fair share of absolute creeps in photography … either with egos the size of Texas or insecure needs to protect their “proprietary” methods … or sometimes both!  Maybe you have too. Perhaps what goes around comes around for them too.

All I can say is many thanks to all the truly caring, supportive and unselfish artists I’ve met on my photographic life journey. You have given without expectations for anything in return and the difference you’ve made is profound. I wish you all the best, with my sincere hope that what goes around will always come around for you.

Stay well,

Michael

Leica Sold 10 Times as Many Film Cameras in 2023 Than It Did in 2015

That’s the headline of a story that appeared on the British website Kismo Foto on January 4th. The story was based on a September interview of Leica CEO Andreas Kaufmann by the French website Phototrend. Turns out that Leica sold almost 5,000 film rangefinders in 2023 compared to the 500 they sold in 2015 and film cameras accounted for 30% of their rangefinder camera sales!!!

This exciting news follows last year’s announcement by Pentax that it is seriously exploring production of a new film camera that most certainly will be a less expensive alternative to Leica’s current offerings.

Of course there are tons of perfectly wonderful used cameras around looking for good homes, including original Lecia M3s and M6s, and they can be had for much less than the cost of current production MPs, MAs and M6s. But that’s not the point.  Look, it’s great that these beauties are available and people are buying all that can be made. And the more sold the better. But the other good news is that more and more of the used ones are being sold too, and in the case of Leica’s the prices are heading north.

What does all this mean? Film photography is growing!! That’s right baby!!! Recently, I talked to several owners of expensive digital cameras that are ditching them for real thing. And that’s not all. No they’re using black and white film … Tri-X to be exact.

So there you have it. Now, what are you waiting for?

Get yourself a film camera, new or used … and some Tri-X.

It’s the way it was meant to be.

Stay well,

Michael

My Interview with Gallery 270 Director Tom Gramegna!

I’m pleased to announce that The 21st Century Handmade Print: The Monalog Collective has been extended through March by popular demand at the Gallery 270 in Westwood, New Jersey!

The gallery is located within Bergan County Camera on 270 Westwood Avenue, Westwood, NJ and is open Monday through Saturday, 10am – 5pm.  For more immediate information the gallery can be reached at info@gallery270.com or by phone at (201) 358-5076.

But wait, there’s more!!  As part of the events surrounding the show, all of Monalog’s members, including yours truly were interviewed by gallery Director Tom Gramegna. It was a lot of fun and you can check it out below, but better yet come to see Monalog’s exciting work in person!

 

Stay well,

Michael