Rangefinder Magazine
March 2006
Click Here for printable version of this article.
Insight/On the Cover by Bill Hurter
While this is our WPPI Preview Issue, meaning that nearly all of the articles are
by or about this year’s WPPI speakers and presenters, there is a rather significant
article in this issue that has nothing at all to do with the convention. The article is
comprised of excerpts from a recent talk Martin Elkort (profiled in the January 2006
Rangefinder) gave before a gallery opening of his work. The essay talks about the
fundamental importance of photography to photographers as well as to the world at
large. Elkort asserts, “Photography is paradoxical. On one side of our metaphorical
photographic coin is the reality of the image, or what we perceive to be the reality.”
He continues, “The other side of the metaphorical photographic coin is the photo
as untruth, a manipulated image, a lie.” For Elkort, what unites these two sides of
the coin is the underlying need behind the photographer’s quest. He says, “I take
pictures to capture an aesthetic that pleases me. But what underlies any reason to
take a picture is a need to reveal a truth—to extract from the minutes of our lives an
awareness, an understanding of something that is greater than us. When we look at
a picture of a pretty flower, if the photographer is successful, he or she helps us see
the perfection in nature, the inexpressible beauty that was created by something we
cannot name. When we look at a picture of a screaming child who has just been
hit by Napalm, we see the truth of war, lives torn asunder by excruciating pain and
fear. Maybe the viewer will become an advocate for peace and attempt to change
our world in the ways that he or she knows how. Isn’t this what life is all about,
what makes it worth living? We need more than bread for a complete life. We need
meaning and truth and a connection to the world beyond our bodies.” At the core of
Elkort’s thinking is a rather basic premise from which we can all gain valuable insight.
“The simple answer to why I take pictures is that it makes me happy, gives me a deep
and lasting satisfaction, and engages all the skills, training and the innate talent I possess.”
Simple but profound.
Bill Hurter, Editor
ON THE COVER:
PHOTOGRAPHER: Gene Martin
CLIENT: Carlini Group, New York
ASSIGNMENT: Les Paul Tribute Concert, Los Angeles, CA
CAMERA: Nikon D2X
LENS: Nikkor 28–70mm f/2.8D AF
STORAGE MEDIA: Delkin 2GB CF card
LIGHTING: Speedotron 812 pack, two 102 heads,
10° grid and Photoflex softbox
COMMENTS:he Carlini Group flew me to Los Angeles
to shoot portraits of participants in the third in a series
of tribute concerts for guitar legend Les Paul. Having
been a professional musician before embarking on a
photography career 20 plus years ago, it’s a thrill for
me to meet and photograph these artists. On this trip I
photographed Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Alison Krauss and
more. I had 11 sessions over two days! I also have a martial
arts background, so I was happy to hear that actor and Aikido master Steven Seagal was to be
involved in the show. It turns out he’s a blues aficionado and was to play with blues guitar legend
Hubert Sumlin. When he entered the room, I addressed him as “Sensei,” which I know he appreciated.
He was a pleasure to work with, and when I told him I’d been studying martial arts since I was
a kid, he put his hand on my shoulder and said, “Don’t hurt me!” We had a good laugh. No doubt
about it—Sensei has a great sense of humor!
Gene Martin is an award-winning celebrity photographer based in New York City. He is speaking
at the WPPI 2006 Convention. See Gene’s Rf Cookbook starting on page 38.
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