Blog

August 23, 2019

Photographing When It’s Forbidden
When is it okay to lie to get the pictures you want?
By Amy Touchette
In a previous post, we discussed Lewis Hine’s mission and photography. Hine (1874-1940) was a photographer and a sociologist who employed photography as an agent of change. A photograph was a document, an object of proof, that showed people the reality of the social injustices plaguing the world, and he did whatever it took to get the pictures he... Read more
August 22, 2019

Lewis Hine: Photographing For Social Reform
Learn how this visionary used photography as a documentary tool in order to effect change
By Amy Touchette
“Glass works. Midnight. Indiana.” by Lewis W. Hine. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, National Child Labor Committee Collection. [LC-DIG-nclc-01151]  One of the many remarkable powers of photography is that it can be used to right social injustices. American photographer and social reformer Lewis Hine (September... Read more
August 20, 2019

Preparing For Portfolio Reviews: Words Of Wisdom From Michael Foley, Part 2
Learn what distinguished gallery owner Michael Foley considers important in a portfolio reviews
By Amy Touchette
Michael Foley, School of Visual Arts, MPS Digital Photography Critique Class Everyone knows it’s all about who you know. But how do you facilitate meeting people, outside of personal contacts and chance encounters at industry events? The answer is: You attend portfolio reviews. I continued my conversation with Michael Foley, owner of Foley Gallery... Read more
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August 14, 2019

How to Get Gallery Representation: Words of Wisdom from Michael Foley, Part 1
Learn what this distinguished gallery owner looks for when he considers representing a photographer
By Amy Touchette
“Untitled (Anthurium),” by Martin Klimas Developing a genuine, solid relationship with a gallerist is so elusive. Just how does it go down exactly? As a former participant in his study center, the Exhibition Lab, and a long-time colleague, I looked to Michael Foley, owner of Foley Gallery in New York City, to spell it out: Amy Touchette: What kind... Read more
August 13, 2019

In Pursuit Of Happiness: On Photographer Saul Leiter
The film “In No Great Hurry” is a wonderful portrait of a pioneer color photographer
By Amy Touchette
Ever wonder what would happen if you let go of pursuing professional acclaim and instead just photographed the beauty in the world? Pioneer color photographer Saul Leiter did just that, spending his life humbled by the world, shunning fame and attention, in search of what made him happy. And—lucky for us—a few short years before his death in 2013,... Read more
August 6, 2019

Engaging Viewers Using The Power Of Suggestion
Learn how Jennifer McClure uses suggestion to engage her audience
By Amy Touchette
“Untitled” by Jennifer McClure When we look at our own pictures, a flood of memories and emotions present themselves. Where, why, when and how the image was created, as well as our connection to the subject(s) portrayed, completely color our reaction to the image. This is the chief reason we’re often the worst editors of our own work. As... Read more
August 1, 2019

How Photographers Stay Productive And Inspired
Use these tips to keep your creative spark alive
By Amy Touchette
Anyone in the photo industry will tell you that pursuing personal work is a key step to evolving and flourishing professionally, no matter what stage of your career. Such advice may sound obvious, but it’s easy to lose focus. Consider the following scenario: If you’re always capturing someone else’s vision, you’re in danger of losing your own.... Read more
July 31, 2019

The National Geographic “Photo Ark: An Exhibition” By Joel Sartore
The exhibition documents every species in the world’s zoos and wildlife sanctuaries
By Amy Touchette
Southern leopard frog ( Rana sphenocephala ) at the Denver zoo. More than a decade ago, National Geographic photographer, Fellow, and 2018 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the year Joel Sartore set out to achieve a very ambitious, righteous goal: to create a photo archive of every single species in the world’s zoos and sanctuaries in order to... Read more
July 29, 2019

On Straight Photography: Analyzing Photographer Paul Graham’s “The Unreasonable Apple”
Find out why Paul Graham’s talk is such an important one for all photographers
By Amy Touchette
In the arts, there are few things less misunderstood than the making of straight photography. When a photograph made from real life is successful, it always appears to the viewer as if it were made as the result of a stroke of luck. Maybe luck is something we could entertain if it weren’t for the fact that there are so many photographers out there... Read more
July 25, 2019

Interview With Photographer Amy Arbus
Photographer Amy Arbus, who is in a current group photo exhibition, discusses her start in photography and her photo of the punk rock band, The Clash
By Amy Touchette
The Clash, NYC, by Amy Arbus, 1981, gelatin silver print. The Morgan Library & Museum, Gift of Amy Arbus, 2018.74 Copyright © Amy Arbus Currently exhibiting until August 18th at The Morgan Library & Museum in New York City is “Among Others: Photography and the Group”, an exhibition exploring the various ways photographers have united... Read more