S1E64 - Howard Schatz - Making Rare and Fantastic Photos
We began our conversation with internationally celebrated photographer Howard Schatz by focusing on the nature of creativity and and the challenges of creating "phenomenal" images when so many images are unoriginal, easy to access and abundant -- though the abundance, Schatz feels, makes it easier to determine what is great. He spoke about his interest in the human form and the mystery of art as well as his recent book, PAIRS, anchored in the idea of the diptych. He spoke, too, of the necessity of knowing what is going on in one's chosen field and why it is singularly important not to previsualize, as well as the backgrounds on his computer screen, photographing flowers and nudes and how practicing medicine helped him to be more human and a better photographer. A rich and deep conversation.
Biography
Howard Schatz has received international acclaim for his work and is one of the most sought-after photographers working today. Over 30 years, 23 books have been published of his work. His most recent books, Pairs, was just published. His book, Kink, was focused on San Francisco’s annual Folsom Street Fair. Pairs and Kink follow on the heels of a magnificent 2-volume retrospective: Schatz Images: 25 Years. Others include: Caught in the Act: Actors Acting; AT THE FIGHTS: Inside the World of Professional Boxing; NudeBodyNude; and three landmark books of underwater imagery: H20, Pool Light and WaterDance. He has won virtually every award in photography and has had over 100 museum and gallery exhibitions worldwide.
Schatz has made extraordinary images for such advertising clients as Ralph Lauren RLX, Escada, Sergio Tacchini, Nike, Reebok, Wolford, Etienne Aigner, Sony, Adidas, Finlandia Vodka, MGM Grand Hotel, Virgin Records, and Mercedes-Benz. Schatz's fine art work is represented in galleries in the United States and abroad.
www.instagram.com/howardschatz
Conversation recorded on December 22, 2023.