Duane

I'm not really sure how to describe Duane Michels.

For those of you who've met him, know him, follow his work, etc, you might understand why I don't really know how to describe him.

Unique, I guess, would be a good place to begin.

Here he is, in these pictures, right in front of you, but they don't really begin to describe him either, or maybe they do.

I remember seeing his work for the first time. I also remember seeing a show of his for the first time. I remember midway through the show turning around to see who was around me so that I could find someone to acknowledge how great the show was. Not sure why I felt the need to do that, but sometimes I do.

Duane is very funny. He is outspoken, but not in a pushy way. And he is a fantastic writer. He is conceptual, but I can actually understand the concept, and don't need it explained to me.

A week after his slideshow people are still still asking, "did you see it?"

I gave him a ride in my car, which was unexpected, but I now think about the fact that Duane Michels was in my car. It really doesn't matter, but I find it funny and very California.

There are certain pieces of photography that I think about on a regular basis, and Duane made several of them.

These pictures were made at The Palm Springs Photo Festival, Connect 09, where Duane was teaching.

I think what is most important about Duane, at least in my mind, is the sense of humor, which I find lacking in most photography, but also the fact he is not JUST a photographer.

Being a photographer isn't easy, as we all know, and sometimes we get caught up in things that really have no real importance other than the ghosts we create in our mind, and he doesn't seem to do that. Photography is a vehicle, for truth, for idea, for concept, for humor.

His work is about images. That's all. Plain and simple. Doesn't need anything else.

I also noted, during the final night slideshow, that his students made some remarkable work. I would imagine that these folks were good photographers to begin with, but I would also imagine there was a lot of Duane coming through those pictures. And I'm not talking about people copying someone's work. I talking about breaking through. Moving beyond. Thinking. Pursuing.

The Mastermind

PALM SPRINGS PHOTO FESTIVAL LINK


For those of you who don't know, the end of March, beginning of April ushers in the fourth year of The Palm Springs Photo Festival Connect 09. I've been in the photo industry for a long while, and have attended just about every event out there, from festival to tradeshow. There are newer, international festivals I've not yet attended, but as far as the US is concerned PSPF is the best event going.

Regardless if you are a photographer or not, if you have interest in making pictures, looking at pictures, this is the event to attend.

The mastermind of this great stage is LA-based photographer Jeff Dunas, seen in the attached image.

Jeff knows more about photography than anyone I know, and I'm not talking about the nuts and bolts, which he does know in great depth, but I'm talking history, styles, books, prints, printing, collecting, etc, etc. There is no aspect of imaging that he isn't in tune with, which is very rare in this photo-world.

One minute he is mixing his own chemistry, toning and creating master prints, real, silver-based prints, and the next he is shooting tethered digital on an ad campaign or celebrity shoot. It doesn't matter what, or how, he just does it.

But enough of the unauthorized biography.

Back to the festival. Jeff, due to his history in the photography world, knows people, a lot of people, including the legends. He really does, and not only does he know them, but there is a mutual respect, which consequently is what, I think, is the foundation of the entire PSPF.

This year's lineup is one you have to see to believe. Workshops, symposiums, lectures, reviews, shows, projections, panels, interviews, parties and an atmosphere that is unrivaled. This is a real festival. If you need a dose of tech to quell your inner geek, you can get it. But if you need more of a intellectual study of the nuance of fine-art, well guess what, you can get that too. And, everything in between.

You could literally go, never say a word to anyone and still have a great time. Where else can you do that? Okay maybe the DMV, but that is it.

So, turn off the TV, get off the couch, put down the doughnuts and register people. If my threats aren't enough to motivate you, then how about a small taste of the lineup......


Larry Fink, Steve McCurry, Debbie Fleming Caffery, Keith Carter, Frank Okenfels, Jay Dusard, Greg Gorman, Juergen Nogai....

These are JUST a few of the workshops people! Oh, and this was just brought to my attention.....Duane Michals is coming too, just by the way...in addition...Duane Michals people.

It's time to saddle up and head toward the springs.