The artist who most influenced me was
Irving Penn
. His sophisticated sense
of photography is unparalleled. Penn transformed commercial photography into
his own art form. I was fortunate to meet him at art openings on several
occasions. He was the nicest, most gracious and humble creator I have ever met
and he always accepted me into his studio to sign the books I prized so much.
The Bechers
moved me in their formal scientific approach and their notion
of the “photograph as record.” I never get tired of looking at their work.
Aaron Siskind
is quite simply the most important contributor to non-
objective photography. His work always inspires me to look within objects and
to see abstraction in everyday life.
As a father of two amazing children, and a photographer as well, I am moved by
the motivation and determination of
Sally Mann
to do what no one before her
had been able to do: depict a child through a child’s eyes. By this I mean she
photographs children as aware, intelligent beings who don’t know what they
don’t know and thus are always attempting to be something other than they are.
Winston Link
has always captivated my cinematic sensibility. His focus and
determination within a specific subject matter made him a master of locomotion
imagery. With his technical virtuosity he has convinced many that these
nocturnal images of trains are actually film stills when, in actuality, they are
iconic pictures of post-war American life.
Ed Ruscha
is simply the most important living contemporary artist in the
world. His contribution to contemporary art is immeasurable. He has influenced
countless important figures and he will always be a beacon for me, as a singular
creative force.
This is dedicated to my mother and father, who will always be with me. And for my children
who inspire me with their hard work and perseverance though life’s difficult moments.
my influences
