Mark Goldsmith- Rikers Island- American Heroes Book
As photographers, our job is to thrive under pressure. Everything from location swaps to canceled shoots and working in tense conditions. Given the circumstances, it seems our greatest asset is to learn how to deal with these changes and accept their inevitability. 2011 saw no shortage of these kinds of situations and as I rolled with the punches that each new assignment threw me, by the end of the year it was enough to make me take a moment to reflect.
Nobody knows where their career will lead them and with photographers, the future is even more uncertain. A path I started down more than 20 years ago has changed unquestionably and the medium for making images is now easier than ever. Suddenly everyone has become a photographer and access to digital technology has ushered this change quickly into the hands of enthusiasts everywhere.
So how do you take back these tools that everyone possess? I think the trick is to share your vision in a way that nobody else can and sometimes if you’re lucky, you meet people who can help you do this. Opportunities like this are what pushed my career into new territory and I’d be foolish to forget that. Working steadily as a photographer means creative independence. Success is hard won but if you can work with the sorts of people who fight for your ability to express yourself, it’s important that you stick with them. For these reasons, I thank the many collaborators, art directors, editors, publishers and subjects who helped me in 2011. Each of these people added valuable insight into the process of making new and interesting work.
Cynthia Grace- Harlem- American Heroes Book
Charlie Plumb- Buffalo Military Park- American Heroes Book
With the year quickly drawing to a close, I sit here in my studio surrounded by hundreds of new photos that we’re busy editing for my latest project. Let me be the first to tell you that my next book will be called “American Heroes”. This project has lead me all over the country and given me the opportunity to meet more incredible people than I would have ever thought possible. With a release date slated for October of next year, “American Heroes” will profile the extraordinary “ordinary” people who have made an astonishing impact in the lives of others.
My year spent chasing after these individuals has helped me log countless hours of travel. All jet lag aside, the enormous diversity of meeting everyone from medical responders in Haiti to environmental activists reminds me of all the endless possibilities a career in photography has given me. It strongly influences my opinion that photographers are people who could never eschew a 9-5 job. We can’t because we’re not cut out to work SO little. Quite the opposite really… Being a photographer means working hard, and practically, ALL of the time. Of course, anything that you love doing is never actually work.
Having said all that, I hope you’ve enjoyed the images included with this post. What you’ve been viewing are selects from my upcoming book (but I’m guessing you already knew that). I can’t wait to share their stories with you.
Dr. David Vanderpool- Port-au-Prince, Haiti- American Heroes Book
I wish you all health, wealth and happiness in the upcoming year and remind you to keep seeing and photographing with your heart.
The rest will fall into place…………
Happy New Year!
—PM
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