Maybe it’s the camera, maybe it’s the subject? The user? I’ll just put that right there since I am absolutely loving my new ‘go to’ dedicated business head shot photography camera, the Fuji GFX100 s2 and the 110mm f2.0. It reminds me of the story I heard about the patron in a local hip restaurant passionately taken aback by the subtle tones in her gumbo, she had to call the chef over. Upon hearing this, the chef dedicates line duties to the sous chef, dons a clean apron after a quick mirror trip and walks over to the lady’s table.
“Hello there, I am the head chef and I heard you are really enjoying my gumbo” the chef says politely awaiting for her doting accolades. “Why yes, it’s the best gumbo I have ever put in my mouth, what kind of pot did you cook it in? Did you use a wooden spoon with a flat end or curved to make this delicate roux?” And just like that, the chef sat befuddled that the woman’s statement to his life’s work gumbo was not towards his 30+ years as a chef and restaurateur but to his tools. His gumbo was so good, it must be pot?
I love this story so much as I am reminded time and time again when people see some of my images they ‘absolutely love’ and the first thing they ask is ” you must have an amazing camera” as to say – you are what you are by the tools you have – not how you use them. (and if they could only get that camera on Amazon later…they, too could produce such an amazing image).
But as you know it’s not that easy. The tools we use as artists are a means to and end; merely an evolution of necessity to the expanse of our creativity. If you are an inquisitive artist in the creative or business space you will eventually need new ways to express your, and in my case, my client’s vision. As my creative voice evolves I ultimately must bring along my client’s vision as we symbiotically traverse the PR landscape.
It really is still so simple though: see face – photograph face. As I force myself to use my new Fuji medium format camera in all aspects of my business that make sense, I find inspiration like I did when shooting large format film for the first time. I take my time, I conduct and compose in a patient storytelling manner no matter if I am shooting a suit or a singer, a brand or a band. So, what came first the camera or the creativity? What makes the image ‘tick’ – is it me or my Fuji? Is it the pot or the chef? It’s all of it, all the time. Thank the chef.
