Kevin Taylor,
2009-2010
APPA President
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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
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