|
 |
On Set with Walter Chin in New York City
By William Littman | Wisdom and Inspiration |
Apr 1, 2004
|
|
I was visiting the set of another icon of photography who became known as a top fashion photographer in the early '80s. When I started shooting fashion it was rare to open an issue of American Vogue and not find a story shot by him, and he has had one of the most prolific photography careers on the last two decades. I had met him for the first time mid-September 2003 on the second day of the job that he shot entirely with the L45 s—he had started photographing with it the day before, and while he was shooting actress Connie Nielsen for Italian Vogue with the L45s I sat back and watched what appeared to have been his one and only camera for years—he seemed so familiar with its use that you could almost believe it was him and not me who had created it. The Polaroids from the first day looked as if they were paintings and he immediately ordered three cameras.
He told me that he owned several Linhoff with many lenses but that they did not allow him to shoot with the freedom he now required. He expressed his gratitude to me for having created the L45s, and we had a metaphysical discussion about the constant need photographers have to reinvent themselves—he felt that the L45s was what he had been looking for, to be able to travel through the steps of this creative journey that he was about to embark upon at this new stage of his career, and he agreed to allow me to use the pictures on my site once the issue was published.
This remarkable essay, which became a full supplement To Italian Vogue, consisted of 55 pages all shot with the L45s, which in turn was showcased as an art exhibit by Vogue in one of the Most Important art galleries in the city of Milan. This was his first time using the camera, "la prima volta."
Yesterday when I saw him again he was shooting the girl who was the cover girl for this years Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue for another client and we had a chance to sit down and have a long talk.
He also told me that he had been using the L45s a lot since last September for his work and was also planning to use it on some personal projects he has lined up.
We spoke a lot but mostly about photography and I believe that his images speak for themselves—what I have to say here is only three words: Thank you Walter.
Click to visit the gallery.
Let us know if you found this article useful, and tell us what kinds of articles you'd like to see in upcoming issues. Send your comments and ideas to the editor.
© Copyright 2010 by PHOTOWORKSHOP.COM
Top of Page
Last Updated: Jul 29th, 2010 - 13:28:46
|
|
|
|
|
Wisdom and Inspiration: Additional Articles
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
