TonyWardStudio.com

Hat On Eiffel Tower

Posted on August 25, 2010

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……….The wide variety of photographs selected by TW for this post reflect how I generally produce my work; I carry a camera at all times, and document the people, places and things that tickle my brain aesthetically and emotionally.

Gallery Opening

I was born in Louisville, Kentucky. My parents died (at different times) when I was a small child. I then moved in with relatives in Lancaster, Pa. and attended a small private school in Lancaster. After that, several “prodigal son” episodes were intermingled with stints at a few different universities, the last being Temple, where I was a French major.

Tugboat On Delaware River

Some people have said my work looks a little like Robert Frank, but mine is more mood-driven and autobiographical/personal rather than documentary, particularly in the last few years.

Bird Silhouette

I guess the photographer who influenced me the most was Larry Clark, who inspired me because he made a career of taking pictures about his life and of his drug-addicted friends, rather than specifically going out on a photographic mission for the most part anyway.

Marijuana Necklace

I shoot mostly with Leica and Nikon 35mm film cameras. I feel more connected to their primitive analog functionality, and also feel reassured by the tried and true archival durability of the black and white film.

Trailer

On a practical level, I’ve also re-discovered shots I took when I was much younger that I didn’t appreciate at the time; had I been shooting digital back then, those images would have undoubtedly been deleted.

Grim Reaper

That said, I also have several digital cameras, which of course are necessary for any kind of paid work, as well as any other project where instant results or large quantities of material are needed.

$$ Glasses