Channeling my inner Jay Maisel…….
We all love to hear that someone likes our work. Some time ago I came to an understanding that the person you most need to please or impress is yourself. If you are happy with your work or at least happy with your progress, you are on the right track! Having said that, it still feels good when someone else brags about our work. When I was at the very beginning of my career, as a photographer, one of my photographic heroes, and inspirations was Jay Maisel. Jay was one of the most successful commercial photographers in New York. The graphic quality and the choice of and use of color was his works hallmark!! I, like many others of our era, tried desperately to see and capture images in his style! Many years later, I met Jay and we became better acquainted with each other. A decade ago at a Nikon meeting, where Jay was our guest presenter, I had the chance to give him a copy of my first America From 500 Feet book as a way of saying thank you for all the inspiration, over the years.
The next morning as I got off the elevator, Jay was getting off the opposite elevator and greeted me with, “have you had breakfast?” I told him I hadn’t and he invited me to eat breakfast with him. If that were the end of the story it would have been great, breakfast with the legend Jay Maisel. During breakfast Jay said, “Bill, last night I stayed up until I had looked at every image in your book, and read a number of the stories, and I only have one thing to say to you, Fudge you!!” (only he didn’t say fudge!!) If you know Jay you know what his favorite expletive is. I was not sure what he meant, but he smiled and said, “Bill, what I’m saying is that was a brilliant concept, and I wish I had thought of it first, but even if I had, I’m not sure I could have done it as much justice as you did! Thank you for a book I will treasure it! You need to be very proud of your’s and your son’s work!!”
I told Jay, and I meant it, I would not need anyone to brag on my work ever again, that such a high compliment coming from him had fulfilled my need for praise! Since then Jay and I have gotten to be better friends and I still greatly admire his approach to photography. When I went over to Christiansted today I wanted to try and see and capture like he does. I will let you be the judge if I was successful, but I had a blast pretending I was Jay for just a day!!
I really enjoyed the X-T1 today and the clear view through that big EVF! It made composing and planning so much easier! Once again I went sans tripod and shot everything hand held, and with the help of higher shutter speeds got some tack sharp images!! I’ll leave you today with a couple of just travel shots, things that interested me but wouldn’t live up to the vision of Jay!!!!
The last shot was just a little whimsey, made me chuckle, hope you like it!
I did find the boat I had hoped to find and that will get featured tomorrow!
Blessings,
the pilgrim
This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 25th, 2014 at 8:18 pm
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You nailed it Bill. “Fudge”, cracks me up. Reminds me of “fudge” as said in A Christmas Story. Hey, I recall you saying that a well known photog was praising you for your boldness in speaking out about Christ, that that was something he admired about you. I know who you’re talking about, maybe you could mentor him.
It’s hard for me to think of myself as a mentor, that’s God’s business, not mine, I just start every day giving it all to him and show up! I think it was Woody Allen who said, “90% of success is showing up!”
I love that story Bill. I’m thankful for you as a mentor in my photography. These photos are just incredible and I can’t wait to get an X-T1. I’m blown away with the colors, detail and clarity. Of course it’s mostly the photographer:)
It really is a terrific camera, and the photographer didn’t mess it up! I’m glad I could help you on any way!
Great work, Bill! I love Jay’s work and you did a great job!
Thanks Brian,
I had a lot of fun trying to capture some neat graphics and color studies!
I
Love
This set!
Holy Cow.
This is what I also strive for. Little (and larger) snippets of color! Love this. Love this.
This is exactly what I would be shooting in such a tropical place!
Best,
Jorge
It is a really cool environment for color!
Love the photos. Haven’t been to the Caribbean in 2 years and I’m being deprived. There is so much color there. I have a random question on the camera, what is the battery life? Thanks.
Not great, about 350 shots per charge, I carry a half dozen charged spares, but you can buy the replacements batteries for less than $10 bucks each, which helps.
St. Croix looks beautiful! I know you and Mom are enjoying some much needed and deserved time in paradise. Love from the Moore’s
We love you guys too! See you Sunday! We are having a great time and getting
some much needed rest!
The light door against the red wall with black iron is killer. Love them all but that’s my favorite. Great story. My XT-1 images don’t look quite as good as yours … yet! I’m sure they will look much better after the next workshop. : ) Thank you for mentoring us all.
Lynn,
I return home Sunday and would be happy to help you get your camera set up to yield these kinds of results! It is a camera system with a short learning curve, but a learning curve none the less! I’d be happy to share my experiences over the past year with you!
I also have a Fuji X-T1 and would love to learn about this new, fantastic camera from your experience. Not much has been written about any of the new X series of cameras. It there any way you could share your experience over the internet without overloading your blog? Thank you for all the information that you have provided so far.
First of all, I’d say Jay nailed it. Your America from 500 Feet is breathtaking! I LOVE this post and the images. One of the things I always see in your work, Bill, is color. And along with the beautifully simple compositions, your work is some of the most compelling to me. I am trying (mostly failing, I think) to create images with the same kind of impact. I guess what I’m saying is that you are to me what Jay was to you. Thank you. Maybe one day I’ll get to give you a book. 😉
I’m waiting for the book!! Thanks for the kind words!
I really enjoy seeing your images in St. Croix. With the frigid weather we’re having in Nashville today, I wish I was back there. On our last visit, we found out that Nate really isn’t angry.
Good to know! Wish we’re here now we could go out do some shooting!
Wish you were here, Dagnabit, hate the auto spell feature!!!!
Love the fire hydrant. Glad you had a great trip!
Thanks Joshua, Hope all is well with you!
Bill,
I just found your site and enjoy it very much. I’m from your neck of the woods. On up the road a piece, I go to exit 38 take a right travel the Daniel Boone,(oops I guess its Hal Something now) to Hazard. I was born in Harlan county though. But when people ask me where I’m from I Say Hazard.
I’m just getting back into photography after a bunch of years, I just bought a Nikon D7100 with a bunch of lenses. 35mm1.8, 50mm1.4, 17-70mm2.8 Sigma, 70-200 2.8 Tamron, and Nikon 18-300mm 3.5-5.6.
My first camera was a Canon FT w/50mm 1.8, I paid $90 for it at the Chu Lai PX in Viet Nam 1967. My daughter still has it. it was a good camera and I have hundreds of slides over the years. One of my next projects is to get a scanner and digitize them over to lightroom.
I guess the real reason I’m posting is to say after buying all the Nikon gear and feeling the weight I wish I had discovered your site earlier and learned about you love of the Fuji X system. This bag must weigh 50lbs.
I too am a committed Christian and I love the Lord. I’m still trying to figure out how I ever got along without HIM.
Thanks for your stance on being a Christian and I love your Pictures.
BigJim