HISTORY
I have a Master’s Degree in Design and Photography from The Institute of Design in Chicago, where I studied closely with David Plowden. David is an incredible photographer and craftsman, who always understood how to create an emotional through line from standing in a landscape, to the processing of a black and white negative, to the “performance” of the final print.
My Master’s thesis looked at different approaches to landscape photography from the perspectives of several other important photographers, including Joel Meyerowitz. Degree in hand, I somehow summoned the courage to call him in New York and ask him to look at my work. When he opened the door to his famous studio on West End Avenue, he immediately said, “Before we talk, let’s see what happens as this storm covers the city.” We went over to the large window and the incredible view across the room, and stood there silently for probably ten minutes, watching the clouds and light change. It was a transformative experience, and a powerful introduction to one of the most important photographers of all time.
Assisting on a commercial shoot with Joel Meyerowitz in Dana Point, California, April, 1984 (scanned from a period drugstore print)
After that I moved to California and began working on my own while assisting for Joel when he would come west on assignment—and for many other photographers as well. As I accumulated clients the opportunity came to move to Europe, and I took it. Eventually I concentrated commercially on automotive, and worked for eleven magazine titles as well as some in fashion. I continue to photograph for myself, although I can’t carry my 8” x 10” view camera as I did for so many years.
About Light is not my primary business, but I am no less dedicated to it. I take on projects with complete commitment, but in a different way than even high-end commercial labs where I have also printed for many years. Even in the best of commercial environments, time must still be balanced against revenue, and that produces inevitable compromises. I am not beholden to About Light for my living. And this gives me the flexibility to put excellence above all other criteria.
About Light’s images and text copyright Guy Mangiamele. Photographs on these pages were made with the Leica M9-P.