The Portland Metro Photographic News

Steven Katzman is a self-taught photographer who has combined, over the years his long-time interest in political science with his photographic journey. Although he does not work from anyone's theories on the appropriate direction for contemporary art, most of his photographs exemplify the post modernist notion that to be relevant to the final quarter of the 20th century, art needs to be political in nature. Katzman is, however, an artist, not a propagandist. Consequently, his images are not overtly political: the viewer must take time to think about each photograph to arrive at its ultimate message. Click here to see our friend Steven Katzman's complete profile.

Paraphernalia or Perception?

Point-and-Shoot, NYC, Soho, 1/30th, f/5.6, ISO 400, 15.6mm

I have had the opportunity to teach at the Ringling College of Art and Design as an adjunct instructor as well as create and implement the Bogen Café, a master workshop series presented to twenty colleges and twenty dealers across the country during the 2007-2008 school year. But what prompted me to share these images with you was a response from one of my former Ringling students, “ I know I’m good, I just wish that I had a better camera.” How many times have we often said, “ I wish I had a better camera”? I know I am guilty of saying this recently, wanting, (not lusting) a 65-mega-pixel medium format back with its assortment of lenses, but perhaps I’m getting ahead of myself.

Right after my student had made her thoughts known to me and the rest of the class, I informed my students that I would be in New York city that weekend, taking snaps with a point and shoot camera. And on Monday's return, I would share my discovered photo ops with them.

I left the DSLR at home, and armed with my new point and shoot camera, I hit the streets. Being from Sarasota, lots of sunsets, but not a lot of activity, sounds like another piece, “If I only had the opportunity to travel, I could get some great shots.” Sorry, that one isn’t in my bag, so make the most of your environment, and discover your back yard for the very first time. Try to put your camera where it has never been placed before. Seek out opportunities that were perhaps uncomfortable in the past. You will not only grow as a person, but these life experiences will enhance, and perpetuate your photographic skills. Hopefully, my shared experiences will ignite a little spark within, and burn away those excuses that we always find to interfere with our creative growth. I understand that personal growth is painful, but we chose photography as a vocation, avocation, giving us the power of self-discovery, enabling us to be the author of our own pictorial choices. Irregardless of how good or bad your images are, they are yours, and no one can take them or the experiences you had creating them away from you.

Point-and-Shoot, 1/220th, f/5.6, ISO 400, 6.3mm

My silver heroes are Ansel Adams, (no Moonrise over Manhattan while I was there), Diane Arbus, Robert Frank, and Garry Winnogrand. I chose the streets of New York over the mountains of the West. I am on the prowl, looking for Henri Cartier-Bresson’s decisive moment. There she is; drama unfolding in front of me, an unknown participant in life’s theater, the bicycle messenger passes in front of the subway diva, oblivious to the fashion shoot that spills onto the streets. But wait a minute, I’ve got the point and shoot, the pros have the make up artist, set director, and best boy, a battery of lenses, and cameras. I suddenly realize they didn’t get the shot. They were too busy checking exposure; chimping at their digital confirmation, and life continues to move in front of our viewfinder, “I only wish…”

Point-and-Shoot, 1/50th, f/5.6, ISO 400, 7.7mm

Walking up Madison Avenue, I see a couple in front of a storefront under construction, lost, confused, they seem bewildered, oblivious to the man next to them. I can’t get the shot; I’m too far away on the opposite side of the street for my zoom lens to fill the frame. I’m in no man’s land, off the curb ignoring a red light, and I can’t do both; observe the scene, while trying to dodge the cabs. “If I only had…” A stranger comes to my aid, providing interference in front of me so I can get the shot. “Thank You God Bless you,” said the sign. And of course I crossed the street, contributing to his cup while my out of towners were still oblivious of my presence and his.

Point and Shoot, NYC, 1/100th, f/4, ISO 80, 18mm

Regardless of the equipment in our camera bag, we each have a creative voice, some louder than others. My student felt that her work would improve if she had better equipment, unfortunately it didn’t. When I showed these images to the class, they all realized this was something more than Mr. Katzman’s snaps. Unknowingly, they had given their instructor an assignment, and while I might have missed the chance to capture these images on my DSLR, I didn’t loose the opportunity to witness my world, regardless of the type of hardware I raised up to my mind’s eye.

Copyright Steven Katzman

www.stevenkatzmanphotography.com