Fete de l'Image: A Photographic Memory
A celebration and memorial to and of a dear, departed friend. Her every pose was a dance. She could see herself in the camera as I was snapping the shutter.
2024
I became interested in photographing the nude by chance, as I began formal studying photography in 1976, after some life-changing events. I had been a practicing dentist for 11 years and during that time, had spent two years in the U.S. Army from 1965-1967, one year of which was in Vietnam in the war. My "normal" life had been disrupted enough for me to seek change. The predictability of my life had to be questioned. "Why not" had become my question.
I'd been photographing since I was 7 years old. I was now 25 and trying to figure life out. I started taking courses and workshops at the New School, Parson's School of Design, New York University, and the International Center of Photography. I studied with many noted photographers including Phillipe Halsman, Fred Picker, Lucien Clergue, to name a few.
I think I was influenced mostly by Lucien Clergue, and got involved with his work through the New School. I joined his Recontre De Le Photographie workshops in the south of France, in Arles, for several summers. I do like to work in many genres, but figure photography is my forte.
For me this book is a love story of the art form. I have enjoyed working with many models, none as much as working with Linda.