Back to photography, but on a sadder note … this past week the great photographer and teacher Jay Maisel passed away at the age of 95. I first learned about him when I was a teenager reading the wonderful Life Photography Library series of books that I still own. He had an amazing career making countless memorable photographs like the one on the cover of Miles Davis’ seminal album Kind of Blue.  But perhaps more important, he lived life on his own terms. You can read about much of it in a great obit that appeared in the New York Times  … https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/11/arts/jay-maisel-dead.html

The story ends with a note about a 2018 documentary about made about him called Jay Myself. “Near the end of the film, Mr. Maisel said: “There’s a quiz I give people. Do you like photographing or do you like photographs? Choose one. And you learn a lot about yourself by choosing one or the other. Some people like photographs. I like photographing.” He added: “The act of photographing is what it’s all about.”

Thanks Jay, you were so right!

Stay well,

Michael