I had the pleasure of visiting Jay Seldin in his New Jersey studio, and was treated to beautiful photography and beautifully printed photography. We talked about everything under the sun, and I was impressed by the breadth of his career and Jay's continuing involvement in photographic education. He holds photography workshops both here and abroad, is a member of NJASMP, and is also the newest Canson Infinity artist/photographer--so I asked Jay about his work and his career.

Tell me a bit about your background
I have a BFA in Art from Long Island University and a MA in Visual Art/Photography from William Paterson University. My first photo related job was working at Vogue Wright Studios here in NYC in the early 70’s. I did a little bit of everything there; assistant, carpenter, set painter, you name it I did it.

A few years later I returned to school to become certified as an art teacher so I could pursue a career teaching photography in the NY and NJ public schools. I thought that this might be a little more challenging then my job as a slave--I mean photo assistant!

I continued my personal approach to photography building my portfolio of images while continuing my education in photography.
During my tenure as a photo teacher I received a sabbatical to study photography. I sent my portfolio to the Ansel Adams’ group (The Friends of Photography) hoping to be accepted to his personal program. A few weeks later I received a letter from Ansel congratulating me on being accepted into his program in Carmel CA. The program afforded me a unique opportunity to meet many of the “West Coast” photographers and other contemporary visionaries of our time.

Who are your influences/Whose work do you like?
Certainly Ansel Adams for one. He was a tremendous influence, and of course I love his work.
Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange, Edward Weston, Ruth Bernhard, Mary Ellen Mark, Eugene Richards, Michael Kenna, Henri-Cartier Bresson, Robert Frank, Bruce Davidson, George Tice, I have a long list that also includes: Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Sally Mann, Nicolas Nixon, Bill Owens, Garry Winogrand, and Jerry Danzig.

Tell us about your workshops (how they started, where you go, how long have you done it, what’s the best part, the hardest part?
My workshops started about 5 years ago shortly after I built my studio out here in Jersey. Once a teacher always a teacher. So I had a need to continue teaching after I retired from my college and high school teaching careers. It just started with people asking me to show them how to make a B&W print like the ones I was producing for myself, using my digital workflow and printers.
Now I offer two types of workshops. In-Studio and Travel. The In-Studio workshops include: Photoshop or Lightroom two day workshops, Digital Bookmaking a 2-day workshop, Digital Printmaking a 2-day workshop. Plus private tutoring in PhotoShop and Digital Printmaking .
My travel workshops have two sides to them. Local and International. The Local Workshops have included photo excursions to NYC, “The Mermaid Parade”, Coney Island, Across the Brooklyn Bridge, Lower Manhattan, and The Cloisters, just to name a few. I’m always adding new experiences.

The International Photo Workshops have included Italy and now India. This is a new part of my company. Our first trip was to Italy: Tuscany and Umbria and we are going to Southern India this coming Nov 2009.

The best part is always meeting new people. For me every experience is unique and rewarding. Plus I get to follow my passion, which is traveling and picture taking.
The hardest part is always the planning. I spend a lot of time making sure I have all the pieces of the puzzle fitting together. I want to make it uncomplicated for the people who travel with me. That’s the difficult part.

Talk about the value of printing your own images.
The printing part is almost as important to me as the visual statement that the image makes. I believe that if your print is muddy, unsharp with poor contrast choice and not toned properly, no one will appreciate it. On the other hand, without a visual impact a great printing job means nothing. All my B&W prints are controlled by proper profiling, the use of a RIP, pigment inks and the finest digital papers. All my prints are being printed on Canson Infinity digital papers. My choice of their paper stock is Rag Photograhique 310g/m.

You’re primarily a B&W photographer, what made you start adding color?
It was just a natural process for me, because I prepare all my images through Photoshop. My ability to mask color back in, just seemed like a natural evolution for me. These photos I create are part of a new generation of image making in the 21st century! Photography has gone through many changes in imaging in the past 120 years. It will continue to change in the future, I have no doubt.


Tell me story about the Cuban woman chewing the cigar
She’s a fixture at that spot! It’s her wall, figuratively that is. She owns that pose though. The image was taken in the “Old Havana” part of the city where the government is renovating most of the building. This is the “tourist section”. So with that in mind she has a purpose and that’s to make money from the tourists that pass by.

Is there a future for professional photographers?
Good question. I’m sure there is a future. But what it is I don’t know. More and more people who have digital cameras all think they are professionals. Fortunately, the camera still requires a person to create a composition and visual structure.

What has been lost, what is great now?

I not sure anything has been lost. I put my B&W darkroom to sleep a few years ago when I finally figured out how to make a B&W print digitally, that emulated the look I was getting when I was printing on Agfa Portriga Rapid. I think I’ve done that now. As far as what is great. I’m a technology junkie. I love being challenged by Photoshop and the printing process today.

Best career advice?
Become an accountant!

What do you say to young photographers?
Follow your passion and your sixth sense! Always make photographs for you first.

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ASMP New York has relaunched SHARPEN, the online magazine of ASMP New York.

Today begins a new feature, a weekly “spotlight” of our fellow ASMP NY members.  I'll introduce inspiring men and women that are world renowned, at the beginning of their careers, and somewhere in between.  Here we'll celebrate each others accomplishments and how their work moves the world forward.

Huge thank you to Elizabeth Avedon, Holly Stuart Hughes, Jody Quon, Marc Sobier and Hosanna Marshall for taking time to delve deep in all the wonderful imagery everyone submitted. Tough decisions but lots of fun! Enjoy the pics by Alex Geana.

ASMP New York has Relaunched SHARPEN, the online magazine of ASMP New York. We have daily news, features, advice and over 20 columnists.

I admit, it has taken me a long time to get used to the notion that a photo taken with a cell phone is totally acceptable. I was a student of old school photography and I wanted to remain that way for a long time.

(A wonderful perspective and advice for our community.)

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

It’s Just Business

Several recent threads on ASMP’s on-line forums have dealt with photographers’ frustration with client negotiations.

Photo by Ruben Natal-San Miguel, from the Nocturnal/Activo series, Bronx, 2012.

THIS SATURDAY!!!

Bronx Masquerade brings together ten emerging Bronx artists who uncover the true stories of the young people in the Bronx.

We would like to ask you help us support a former ASMPNY President in this election. As many of you know, Thomas Werner was central to the rebuilding the of New York Chapter, helping to create the strong and vital chapter that you know today.

As a reviewer for the 3rd year in a row I remembered how fast-paced the reviews can be. How stressful it is for the person getting reviewed. It reminds me of what speed-dating must be like.

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Tuesday, Feb 7th is the annual Fine Art Portfolio Reviews, are you ready to show your stuff?

6:45-9pm

***Only prints will be reviewed (no iPads or laptops) unless the work is meant to be exhibited in a museum or gallery hooked up to a computer.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

7-9pm

How do you stand out in a crowded market? Not by spending the most and yelling the loudest — that’s a sucker’s game (and boy, do those suckers get annoying, fast.) The secret to gaining attention in a noisy world lies in making yourself irresistible at all turns:

Here is a wonderful interview with Anna Skladmann who has been photographing the children of Russia's nouveau riche. Her shots of these kids haunt me.

Last week was the 10th anniversary of the biggest art fair in the country. I had been to Miami before but not for ABMB. I was an Art Basel virgin...

You could tell who was from New York because every other person was wearing black even in the 77 degrees weather. Yeah, I saw art.

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Wednesday, November 30th at 11th Street Bar

510 East 11th Street (Between A&B) beginning at 6:30

Congratulations to all the winners of Image 11!

Professional: 1st Place: Peter Dazeley

Student: 1st Place: Brad Curran

November 22nd, 2011

It was packed! And rightfully so, with an incredible line-up of reviewers from The New York Times, DDB, PDN, Magnum and tons more. The energy in the room was filled with excitement and maybe even a little nervousness.

October 4th, 2011

One should really use the camera as though tomorrow you'd be stricken blind.

Please join me for this online only exhibition of Kim Keever and Bruce Checefsky's work. From October 4-November 1

While peering into an alternate universe, such as Kim Keever has created using a 200 gallon glass tank filled with water, it's easy to get lost in the hidden chasms of his landscapes.

ASMP NY: CALLING ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS

NEW YORK, NY - September 2011 - Now in its 6th consecutive year, ASMP NY will host its annual Commercial Portfolio Review for all ASMP NY members on October 11, 2011.

Why should you take this course?

· Do you want to learn how to uncover a prospect's budget?

· Do you ever hear, "I'm interested, call me after the holidays?" or "This is great, I just need to run it by my boss/editor/wife/business partner?" but you never hear back from the prospect?

· Do you feel

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Tomorrow night September 12th is the very special curated photography show by Ruben Natal-San Miguel about the 10 years since 9/11. This exhibition is supported by Finch & Ada.

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Ahhh, the very important issue of stealing imagery from photographers to make a buck. In this case, Michael Dweck is $100,000 richer via Malibu Denim Co. thanks to the courts and rightfully so. Justice prevails! Click here for more on this story.

Longtime photojournalist Michael Kamber is the force behind the Bronx Documentary Center, a venue for photography, film, and new media that opens in September with an exhibition on the work of the late photojournalist Tim Hetherington, who was killed in Libya in April.

Focus on Sales: Sandler Sales Training Level One

Tuesdays, this fall! Sandler Sales Training is back ! Why should you take this course?

Do you want to learn how to uncover a prospect's budget? Did you ever hear, "I'm interested, but call me back after the holidays"? Then you never heard back from

Must give a major shout out to Stella Kramer who edited and published this blog for the past few years- keeping it chocked full of information and writings based on the contemporary photography world, commercially and in fine art. It must be noted that she posted everything before August 2011.

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This hurricane will surely be a phot-op so if you are brave and want to take the risk, please take necessary precautions. And if you want to send them to the blog to post, please do at asmpsharpen@gmail.com.

For the rest of us, we'll opt to stay dry.

Most of us miss the smell of a darkroom and the potent chemicals that seep through our hands and clothes back in the day when the darkroom was king.

Attention All Photographers!- 2001-2011- A Decade of Insanity : Still Searching for Healing- Exhibition

Attention all Photographers!- I am back to curating, As a survivor of Sept 11 attacks, will like to celebrate life, commemorate the 10 year anniversary and how photography has changed the face of

Resource is putting together a Summer inspired film series (with the curation help of our friends at Vimeo) and we want you to be there. The event is at Factory Studios. factorybrooklyn​.com

We're taking over 2 floors of Factory!

Today at 7:00pm

@Factory Studios

79 Lorimer St.

Saturday, August 13, 2011, 12pm

ASMPNY's Summer Party on the Hudson

ASMPNY's Summer Party is THIS SATURDAY! Photogs will appreciate the beautiful view (and breeze) along the Hudson River at the PIER i CAFÉ. You might want to bring your camera, or ride your bike to get there.

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I've been in the art and photography industry for 15 years as a photographer, curator and art consultant. I've been fortunate to work with ASMPNY as a portfolio reviewer as well as a panelist for photography events here in the city. Earlier this year my exhibition, "Hotter Than July" was reviewed by senior art critic of New York Magazine, Jerry Saltz. In the past I founded veaux.org, a site for emerging creatives with a gallery space in Chelsea as well as curator/consultant of exhibitions for the Hipstamatic iphone app. Currently I'm working on a project documenting the New York art world while curating exhibitions around the city.
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