Back in June, Tracy Hallett from Black & White Photography magazine reached out asking me to be interviewed for her regular column called “60 Second Exposure.” It seemed like quite a coincidence because shortly before that, I added B & W Photography magazine to my iPad newsstand. Of course, I replied that I would be honored.
Over the years I have done an increasing amount of my work in black and white. The one thing that I admire about it the most is that it removes our preconceived expectations of what a photograph should look like. As we see the world in color, there is a certain judgment our mind makes in looking at photographs in color. It automatically works against many of the intentions of the artist. We immediately start evaluating if the image looks the way we would expect it to look. However, when color is removed from the equation, a sort of “unchecked” creative freedom is opened up for both the viewer and the photographer.
Tracy’s column is a set of short interview questions to the subject photographer, accompanied by selected images. The questions were interesting for me to work through because they were many things I had not really thought about before. There are some things you would expect to be asked like a favorite photographic book, but others that required a bit of thought behind them like “What is your worst photographic habit?” or “Describe your photography in three words.” Strangely enough, the thought of having a time machine worked its way into my thinking about these questions. For the answers and details of how this came about, you will have to pick up an issue. 🙂
Black & White Photography magazine originates from the UK and found in many major bookstores in the US like Barnes and Noble. They also have an iPad app that delivers the magazine to your iPad newsstand. You can get that here. You can also buy digital versions online from Pocketmags that you can view on your computer, Android, etc here. I am in issue BW142 October 2012. It is a very worthwhile publication to get a subscription to. Tracy selected some of my ice abstracts for this article as well as some of my underwater work. The one here is one of my favorites.
See more of my work in black and white in my black and white gallery.
Well, I received my hard copies this week. It is a nice magazine overall, and I must say I like the hard copy version better than the version I saw on my iPad.
Congratulations, Mark! That’s quite an honor. You mean you’re not going to have a sweepstakes drawing to give away several copies of the mag where you’re featured. I am depressed! 😉 I guess that I’ll just have to get it on my own!
Paul, I have yet to see it in hard copy myself – so hard to do that sweepstakes. They were supposed to be sending me a few, but I have no idea how long it takes for a magazine to make it from the UK to Michigan. It is not in my local bookstore. So I just have my iPad version for now. I suppose I could sweepstakes that away.
Thanks though! 🙂
I did a Facebook congratulations, but this is worthy of another one here…Congrats! Well deserved!
Thanks again Earl!
Congratulations, Mark. I have always admired your b/w work. Will definitely check out the article.
Thanks Diane!
@Jack, I understand about the colors, perhaps I need to write the, to make them aware of that. 🙂 thanks.
@Cedric, I am often torn between digital and paper versions. Both have their own unique benefits. Thanks very much.
Congratulation Mark. Quite an achievement. Black & White Photography magazine is my favourite publication on the subject of photography. I tried the softcopy versions but I much prefer the paper versions. As much as I would like to go fully digital I find the images look much better on paper. Plus there’s something about the sensory feel of paper. I thought it might have been an age thing but my 12yo daughter feels the same way.
Anyway, I’ll be sure to look out for your article.
Congrats, Mark! Great interview & photos, although the colors were pretty drab on my ipad… ;^D
I agree that it’s great having your work in hospitals – I can’t think of a place where people need that sort of imagery more!
— Jack
Congratulations to such achievement and recognition! It’s well deserved.
Many thanks Tomas.
What a great surprise; the mention was well-deserved. Congratulations!
Thanks Greg.
Just downloaded the issue to my iPad. Great answers and images. I love the sea turtle photo. So what are the annual dues for your Ultimate Camera Club……I would love to be an observer for those meetings!!!
As Steve said….great expsure for you! Congrats again .
Thanks Howard. Did you like that tripod one? 😉
Yes I did. A take off of the recent discussion here on your blog!
On the club… Ha! When I get it together, I’ll have to let you know. I face a few obstacles you know. 😉
OK….don’t forget about us ‘little guys’!
Congratulations on some well-deserved recognition…and exposure, Mark.
Thanks a lot Steve.
I’ll add my congratulations too, Mark. I’ll be looking for the issue.
Thanks Ken. Sadly my own Barnes & Noble doesnt carry it I found out.
Mark…..congratulations. That truly is an honor. I wil definitely be getting that issue!
Thanks Howard!
And, congratulations, Mark. I will do my best to find that issue.
Thanks Monte! (The digital versions are linked above if you have problems finding it in hardcopy)