Kevin Taylor
Kevin Taylor,
2009-2010
APPA President

 
This has been a very interesting and rewarding first half of being APPA president. I’ve had the opportunity to meet some great people that are or have been involved in the world of photography to some degree. It has also been quite alot of work, but it’s already been worth it to me.
 
I’ve gotten to talk to some of our past presidents and members that are, or for the most part, retired, but still very much interested in all things photographic. These are people that worked very hard to “come up through the ranks” and have learned the art of controlling light. Many have been mentored by some of the best photographers in the country. They’ve told me stories of some of their experiences and I’ve listened, learning from each one. The only regrets I have had so far is that the constraints of time or other responsibilities have forced me to cut short my visits, and that I didn’t visit sooner. Much sooner. One common thread with all of these wonderful photographers of Arkansas is they loved photography. Upon finding one of our former presidents or the spouse of one who has passed the person on the other end of the phone, email, or letter has been very quick to tell me how that person loved photography, and loved all the friends and support they found in the APPA. I truly wish I could have met them all.
 
It’s been very encouraging to me find such a passion as I have from these mentioned. Photography has changed so much so fast, I’m concerned that sometimes many, while very talented in their own right, have never experienced this kind of photography. Luckily I’ve found my turn to have happened somewhat in the middle, coming into the industry while film was going strong, and I’ve had the joy of owning a darkroom and trying to learn how to get it right the first time. (It rarely happened) Many of the tools we commonly find in today’s computer software I’ve had the privilege to meet first hand in a darkroom. I remember the glee of finally purchasing my first real medium camera, used, and finding how much better the final images were, almost like the real photographers. I’ve worked with processing equipment that processed in one hour, watched that move to one half of an hour, even less for a premium price. Then with the introduction of digital photography the film world began to fade into the background, taking much of the mystique of image making with it, and now unfortunately many have never had the joy of really learning to “see” light, contolling it, capturing and preserving it.
 
That being said, even though the tools have changed and many of those tools can do almost everything but drive you to the studio (it’s coming, probably in a cell phone) the real craft of photography still hasn’t changed. I don’t know of one accomplished photographer that doesn’t understand lighting and the control of it. There are many shooters who have talent, love photography, and do a good job even it is set on “P” (professional), but those that move on to much higher things have always “seen the light” (pun intended) and mastered the control of light just like their predecessors.
 
This tells me that what photographers before us learned we need to learn, too. The real “craft” of photography. The one thing that always sets the professional apart from the amateur is mastering your craft and having consistent results. I can run down to the local hardware store and buy the best hammers and saws made, I may even learn to make a pretty good box, but until I learn the real craft of woodworking I will never be able to build a beautiful piece of furniture or an instrument. The same lesson is true in photography.
 
My personal quest now is this: to be a better photographer. I want to grow and learn, to be able to control light and create something beautiful. To not let my impatience get the best of me and only go half way. I want to see the light, record it, preserve it. To take what my mind and heart is seeing and put that in an image. I want to master my craft.
 
I believe we do a vast disservice to those who have helped perfect the craft of photography if we don’t do our part to help preserve it. I encourage you to always strive to be better. Sure every job doesn’t require a work of art, but never be satisfied with “good enough”. Learn lighting, learn exposure, learn to envision what you want and be able to create it. Listen and learn from the masters. Never, never, stop learning.
 
Our annual state convention, tradeshow, and print competition, CAPTURE 2010, will be July 18-21. It has been aptly named “Preserving the Craft”. We already have some of the best in the world of photography lined up with more to come. I urge you to make plans now to attend. This year will be jam-packed with more great programs, more activities, and above all fun and photography. If like me your goal is to be better, to learn from the best and to master your chosen profession in photography, this is the place to be and the APPA is the group to bring it to you.
 
See you there.
Kevin