Photography Talk at ICP
March 22nd, 2012 :: Posted by Ashok Sinha :: Comments (0) :: Leave Comment
It was an honor and a distinct pleasure to be invited to speak at Harvey Stein‘s class at The International Center of Photography in New York. About 30 students specializing in portraiture, landscape and long-term projects attended the session.
The evening started with a lively discussion about my unconventional start as a photographer (I spent a decade in corporate America before I switched careers) as well as my progression from primarily shooting travel/location stories to a more diverse portfolio consisting of environmental portraiture and architecture work. I also shared a series - Exacting Proportion - from my fine art work which was part of an exhibit at the Mixed Greens Gallery in Chelsea, New York. Then the discussion turned towards how my work led to unintended consequences such as the founding of the nonprofit project, The cARTwheel Initiative. Above all, I wanted to make the point that I refused to be classified as “one type” of photographer, because I am not. However, I do bring my style and aesthetic to every shoot no matter what the nature of the work is and who it is ultimately intended for.
Just when the students thought that they had sent it all, I ended with a new kind of project that I had recently completed with filmmaker Ram Devineni- a 10+ min short film - Pigeon Keepers of Bushwick
In hindsight, I think I was able to convey to the students that a creative career is ultimately what you make of it and doesn’t really have a defined path, a question that often came up during the course of my presentation. How else would I explain this project – Meeting of the Art Waters? It was an idea that three friends came up on a wintery afternoon on the banks of the Susquehanna and looking at the sheer talent in the roster of presenting artists, I’m humbled and honored to be a part of it.
