Want to know about commitment to your art? Think you have what it takes? Listen up.
For the last 40 years, Sam Abell has worked as a documentary photographer, primarily for National Geographic. In this video interview for the Atlantic (created by Alex Hoyt & Ross McDermott), Sam recounts his year-long quest to find the perfect image for a story.
No excuses about modern timelines, budgets, or any of that. When was the last time you hunted for an image, a clip, a specific shot for a year?
Didn’t think so. Confession = me neither. #Inspiring
Sam Abell is one of my favorite photographers. If you liked this video you will love his National Geographic Live! interview. He talks about his book “Life of a Photograph”. Its free on itunes also. Very inspirational.
will def. check it out on itunes – thanks for the info! 🙂
Its also free. Its in the itunes U section.
“Well…..I took these pictures. Each one of them has a story, and I’d like to tell you each one of them!” There is just something so beautiful and simple about the human experience that is shared. This made me smile for today. *Bows humbly to Mr. Jarvis* -mM
Very beautiful and inspiring! Thanks a lot for sharing 🙂
Thanks very much for this. It not only slowed my day, but deepened an internal conversation about what we are really after as photographers…the product…a compelling photograph….or the continued, deepening experience of the creative process, with all its challenges and surprises – and how that seasons us in the best of ways. Its both, of course, but this short film, I believe, brings us back to the true foundation of photography…the creative quest, and the art of the story. Thanks again!
RH
I’ve been on the hunt now for the last two years waiting for the perfect West Coast storm surf shot. I haven’t even found the right beach/shore yet. I’ll keep looking.