Join for FREE | Take the Tour Lost Password?

deviantART

 
About Me Premium Member Nude Photographer Studio4496Male/United States Recent Activity Deviant for 1 Year
11 Month Premium Membership:
Given by *pprior
Statistics 636 Deviations
5,269 Comments
123,887 Pageviews

Road to Nowhere Contemplation

Newest


Flash Player 8 is required to view SitBack. Get the latest version of Flash Player.

Light Above

Wishlist

Fave News

Some new wind in my sails

Thu Oct 1, 2009, 4:30 PM
During the past summer I’ve had some extraordinary photo shoots in the two genres that interest me primarily – male figurative work and architectural interiors. I’ve met some great people, had both laughs and lows and, most importantly, learned whether I’m cut out to be a commercial photographer. And while photography is something of a passion, I don’t believe I can make a career out of it.

There are several reasons. While I’ve developed a mature style as a photographer – especially in the male figurative work – the market is shifting away from still photography to videos and from art photography to porn. I’m not skilled as a videographer and don’t have the temperament for porn. Ergo, the market for my skill sets is shrinking. And, while I love doing interiors, the setups are long, the pay is limited and my non-urban location makes for a very limited client base. Plus, increasingly, I’m reluctant to move from Key West. After fifteen years it has become home. To become successful in either of those genres would ultimately require a move to a place where I know no one and have few contacts. Building a client base elsewhere in either genre would take several years with the obvious financial consequences.

As a consequence, I’ve decided to return to my other love – the piano – and believe I’ve figured out a way to make a living at it. Here in the Keys there is not a single R.P.T. (Registered Piano Technician). There are a few people who tune – some badly, some pretty well – but it’s almost impossible to get their services. Yet there are thousands of pianos here in our island archipelago. I have to believe there’s a business in it all for someone who’s fully trained both as a tuner as well as a technician & rebuilder. So I’ve put myself back into school and am on the road to becoming the Florida Keys only R.P.T. For anyone who may interested in keeping up with that journey, you can check out the blog [link]

But back to the photography. It’s something that’s been a passion for years. So I won’t be giving it up. In fact I just made an agreement with Leather Master here in Key West to mount a permanent rotating exhibit of my work, which will feature original prints as well as greeting cards, postcards, mugs, etc. The first exhibit will be going up this month, October 2009. Additionally, the new owners have asked me to help them with the photography for a new web site that’s in the works – something a little edgier that what they have currently. You can check out the “before & after” by going to [link] now and returning in a few months.

So while I won’t be photographing as much, I’ll still be looking for models from time to time who are interested in either the male figurative art photography and/or picking up a gig for one of the Leather Master shoots. Feel free to contact me if that’s an interest when you’re visiting Key West. I’ll update information about potential shoots both here and sporadically on the blog at [link]

  • Mood: Relief

deviantID

I've been an avid photographer since my college days in the 60s and 70s though the interest back then was mostly architectural. Among (many)other things, I've worked as a photojournalist through which I developed an appreciation and skill for capturing "a moment" which tells a story.

My specific interest in male figurative work became serious in the early 90s when I owned a gallery in Key West called "Bodyscapes", one of the few galleries in the country at the time which would feature fine art imagery of the male form. Through the gallery I met and represented some of the finest photographers of the genre in the United States. And, subsequently, thought "if they can do it, why can't I?"

Fifteen years later, practicing my craft, I'm finally arriving at a style that's uniquely my own, gaining some recognition with several one-person shows and building a new career as a photographer. Though what goes around comes around...most of the paid work is as an architectural and interiors photographer. My passion, however, is the male figurative work. It's my intent that can become part of the new career as well.

Devious Info

  • Current Residence: Key West, FL

Comments


:iconpeetie:
No, no, no, I have changed my mind, Oocelot is my ultimate man! Gasp!:love:
Thank you Michael for an exquisite set of sensual, tasteful photos of an awesome model!:worship:
:iconartisticlight:
I just wanted to drop you a note and let you know that your work is fantastic. One can only aspire to become the photographer that you are.
Keep up the fantastic work, One day our paths will cross.

Rick
:iconjeckomagic:
Thanks for the fav again ;)
:iconpeetie:
Michael, I am bowled over by your David Lange set.
So tasteful, serene & sensual, I’m totally in :love:!
What a man! What a photographer!
:iconkentwaddington:
Some truly fabulous images!! I've enjoyed my time getting to know your work better.
:iconlonergoer:
Hello:

Very interesting photos. I'm just starting in the world og photography. I'm here to share and specially to learn of the experience of others photographers

so, please, visit my gallery and leave your commentaries

greetings from Mexico

Lonergoer.
:icondjohn9:
Thanks for adding my "Souvenir Postcard" [link] your conceptual collection. I appreciate the recongnition.
:icondjohn9:
Really enjoyed browsing through your gallery. Thanks for sharing with us.
:iconstudio4496:
Thanks for your comments and faves. :manhug:

--
What you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. __Goethe
:iconph1sch:
many, many thanks! :iconteamoplz:

Site Map