Shoot What You Love
Posted by Matthew Furman / Black And White, Personal Work, Stories, Videos
Wrapping up my week of personal work with a short video of my daughter Emma. I realize that this is essentially a home movie. But when I think about the reason I even do what I do, I can’t ignore the fact that my kid is a huge inspiration. Many photographer’s have embraced this before, most notably Sally Mann, and more recently one of my favorite photographers Timothy Archibald(check out his beautiful project with his son here)
The hardest part about being a photographer is not understanding f-stops, watts per seconds, layer masks, or any of the other techy shit. It’s finding your visual voice. What makes you different from the other 300,000 photographers out there. I truly believe it’s your point of view. Hence this video, shooting what I love, and loving what I shoot.
Tags: Matthew Furman Photography, Shooting What You Love
The Last Time I Was In Wichita
Posted by Matthew Furman / Black And White, On Location, Personal Work, Stories, Travel
Was also the last time I shot film.
I was there shooting a CEO for a business magazine. I knew I’d be done early, and since I couldn’t get a flight back to NY till the next day, I decided to take along my RZ and shoot a roll or two. Fun to switch it up from the digi every once in awhile.
Tags: Black and White Photography, Film, Mamiya RZ67, Medium Format, Wichita
How To Save A Life
Posted by Matthew Furman / Blog, Brooklyn, Personal Work, Stories
This is Salvador.
He works the morning shift at the bodega that is on the ground floor of our apartment building. So every morning around 4am I hear him lift the metal gate up. I usually just go back to sleep, but a few months ago I heard it go up, and then I heard some commotion. I went into the living room and put my ear to the floor. I heard some more commotion and I thought some yelling. But wasn’t sure. I then grabbed my phone and waited to hear something else before I made the call. Just then I heard a scream. Holy Shit. Salvador was being robbed.
Long story short, 3 guys armed with guns and ski masks tied Salvador up and beat him pretty good while trying to find some $(there was none). Since I heard it happening I of course called 911 and then posted up in front of our door with the biggest knife I could find(only thing I could think of at the time). The cops got there pretty quick and all 3 robbers scattered. 2 of them jumped out of the window just a few feet from the door to our apartment. The other one tried to lift the gate and run out the front, but the cops chased him down. He eventually ratted out his 2 friends, and all 3 are now in jail.
Scary event for sure. But for Salvador it was REALLY scary. He’s convinced they were going to kill him, so he thinks I’m his guardian angel or something.
Now he’s always there to help carry that extra bag of laundry, groceries, photo gear, etc. Which is great, and really sweet of him. But it wasn’t until the other night after a long and grueling day of shooting that I realized the bond we now share. I opened the front door and there he was with a big smile and an ice cold Corona for me.
Now that’s a guardian angel.
AA Ad Campaign, The Players Involved
Posted by Matthew Furman / Madrid, On Location, Outtake, Rome, Stories, Travel
I already posted the Ads that I shot for American Airlines here. Just wanted to include a few images of the crew. Since we were shooting in 3 different countries, I needed to have a great team with me. And all these guys are amazing at what they do. Big thanks to everyone involved(including all the peeps I’ve missed getting pics of), and especially to everyone at Burrell Communications.
The crew. Assistant Matt Roady, Yours Truly, and Producer Jess Dudley from Wonderful Machine.
Madrid, Spain. I think this was called ‘La Casa De La Carne’. We meat lovers refer to it as ‘heaven’.
Bob Sayles, Art Buyer/Chef/Event Planner/International Man of Mystery
Madrid, Spain. I saw these fans at a few cafe’s around the city. Love it.
Here I am looking real anxious to get this shoot started. After all the prep and travel, I couldn’t wait to get rollin.
Winston Chueng, Art Director/Espresso Aficionado
Rome, Italy. In front of the Colosseum.
Madrid, Spain. Garzon
Lewis Williams, Creative Director. AKA - The Man With The Plan
Tags: American Airlines, Black Atlas, Black Atlas Photo Shoot, Burrell Communications, Matthew Furman Photography, Wonderful Machine
Stylin’ 101
Posted by Matthew Furman / Brooklyn, Music, NYC, Personal Work, Stories, fashion, iPhone
I met up with the artist Jeremiah today to discuss concepts for an upcoming photo shoot we’re planning for his new album. I’ve known him for years, and he always comes with some serious style. Today he was rockin a bow tie. Not everyone can pull this off so easily…
The Poker Club
Posted by Matthew Furman / NYC, On Location, Personal Work, Poker, Portrait, Stories
A little personal project. More on this next week…
Walk To The Bank
Posted by Matthew Furman / Black And White, Cityscape, Music, NYC, Personal Work, Red Hook, Stories
I went to cash a check yesterday(which is always a good thing) so I busted out the G10 and took a few flicks along the way. Chatted with a couple locals, grabbed a cold Corona, ate a Jerk Chicken Pattie, and then back to the office.
Puttin On A Show
Posted by Matthew Furman / Behind The Scenes, Madrid, On Location, Sardinia, Stories, Travel
We shot in the Plaza Mayor this morning, which is a major tourist spot in Madrid. At one point I turned around and there was a crowd of about 30 tourists just staring at me. Kind of funny…
A slight change of plans today. The client has decided to do the last shot in Rome. So tomorrow I’m off to Rome to shoot there Thursday, then fly back Friday. More pics from the journey tomorrow.
The Joys of Freelance
Posted by Matthew Furman / Emma, NYC, Personal Work, Stories
When I first set out to become a freelance photographer I thought how cool it would be to set my own schedule. You know ‘be my own boss’. But I quickly realized that in order to keep this ship afloat I’d probably be working more hours than if I had an actual 9-5. Every once in awhile though it does work out where you have all your shit in order and you can cut out early or take a day off. Today I did just that and came home early while my daughter Emma happened to be taking a nap. I just sat and watched her for awhile. If you don’t have kids that probably sounds lame. But whatever, that’s what keeps me going. And of course, now I feel like I should go back to work…
Umbrella Comes In Handy
Posted by Matthew Furman / Brooklyn, Music, NYC, On Location, Outtake, Photo Gear, Portrait, Red Hook, Stories
Last Thursday I shot a new artist named Sean Ray for Brag Media. We did the shoot outside in Brooklyn and it was a low budget thing so I didn’t have an assistant with me. I also only had 1 light, and planned on doing mostly natural light. But of course when the time came to shoot, the light was shit - so I broke out the strobe. I start setting up my soft-box when I realize I forgot my speed ring. The only other thing I had was an old Profoto Umbrella that I don’t think I’ve ever used. Not even sure where I got it. I think it came with my Acute’s or something. Anyway, of course I didn’t mention this to the Art Director and just decided to roll with it. Turned out to be pretty cool. There’s not much control with the umbrella, but when you’re shooting outside and mixing ambient - not so bad.
And then when it started to rain later, I used it as an actual umbrella! Worked out great… Moral of the story: Always keep an umbrella in your kit. You just never know…
Off The Wall
Posted by Matthew Furman / Celebrity, Music, Stories
The music. That’s what really matters now, and my personal favorite from the MJ catalog is Off The Wall. I still have the record that we used to jam to growing up. A lot of good memories there.
Q+A With Andrew Hetherington
Posted by Matthew Furman / Boxing, Fellow Photographers, NYC, Q+A, Sports, Stories
Starting the week off right with a little Q+A action with none other than the Jackanory himself. I assisted Andrew back in the day and he was a big influence on me. Many thanks to him for taking the time to answer a few questions. He’s got some interesting answers. Read on!
In a few words, what do you shoot?
People, Places, Things
What is your weapon of choice?
A Hasselblad 553 ELX with a waist level finder and a 60mm lens. But the Canon 5D Mark II has become a regular player in the starting rotation.
Which do you Prefer:
B+W or Color? Color
Film or Digital? Film
Studio or Location? Location
Portrait or Landscape? Portrait in landscape
Mets or Yankees? Oh of course the Yankees
Favorite Photo Book?
Too many to mention. Most influential though would have to be Martin Parrs ‘Last Resort’ which I came across in the late eighties when I was a student. I also have a soft spot for Lars Tunbjorks ‘Work’ and ‘Home’ oh and I love ‘European Fields’ by Hans van der Meer. I could go on.
Favorite Place On Earth?
On the road with my wife.
What is your most treasured possession?
Snow globe collection. Try and pick one up from where ever I travel.
Which photographer(s) inspire you?
Parr, Tunbjork, van der Meer. Ha Ha but seriously there are too many spanning all genres.
Any future projects or trips lined up?
Working on work and getting work mostly. Still shooting my ‘Room with a View’ series. Thought I would have stopped that by now but its an addiction. I have a few project ideas perculating so we shall see there.
What’s the story behind the photo below?
This is a good one. It was one of my first juicey assignments. The subject is the boxer Smokin Joe Frazier. Photographed him for Esquire on a hot humid sticky summer morning at his gym in North Philadelphia. So we got there scouted etc etc came up with a few different scenarios. Then went to meet the man himself and discuss the plan. “How should I address you Mr Frazier ?” says I.”Just call me Smokin” says he and we were off.
Started in his office, spent too much time there, then moved on to this more elaborate set up. As my assistant was setting up the light he over heard Smokin say to his handler “get me outta here as soon as possible I am done”. In my naievity (excitement) I forgot to ask my editor how much time we had. So was completely clueless. In my mind I thought we had all day. Man I still had 3 or 4 other set ups I wanted to try and needed to get a pic of him on the gym floor. We powered through and managed a set up there too before the shoot came to an end.
When I was a kid the biggest sports stars in the world were boxers; Ali, Frazier, Foreman. Boxing was at its zenith. Who would have thought then that some 30 years later I would end up in Smokins’ gym taking his photograph. Magic !!!
Photo by Andrew Hetherington.
Black & Mild Barter
Posted by Matthew Furman / Brooklyn, NYC, Outtake, Personal Work, Portrait, Red Hook, Stories
I met this guy the other day when I stopped in the bodega down the street for a coffee. He asked me for some change so he could buy a Black & Mild. I said sure, if he let me take his picture and he agreed. He told me his name, but I can’t remember it. Nice kid though.
Q+A with Craig LaCourt
Posted by Matthew Furman / Fellow Photographers, NYC, Q+A, Stories
In a few words, what do you shoot?
I sort of fall within the triangle created by Portrait, Fashion, and Artist Study (Musicians etc, sort of like a sub-genera of Portrait I guess).
What is your weapon of choice?
I love to keep the arsenal varied as I feel that it keeps you as a photographer looking at things in a fresh way, but if I have to choose my fallback that I try to include in all projects it would be my trusty old RZ. There is nothing like rack and pinion focus to me.
Which do you Prefer:
B+W or Color? I’d have to sway towards B+W. My roots are there and there is something about the inherent love of a print that you see come to life in the darkroom. There is something about the tactile process of physically “birthing” a print that lets you connect with it in a way that letting a lab do it or just pushing the print button will never, ever, have.
Film or Digital? Digital is great. It is finally at a point where it rivals film for quality, and there is something to be said for being able to be working on your edit within minutes of finishing your shoot. That being said, I think my answer for question three explains my definite decision if put in front of a gun to choose…
Studio or Location?I really got my start doing studio work. I could control the variables. But I think as I improve and refine my vision I’m developing an appreciation for using a location to be a collaborator in the process.
Portrait or Landscape? Portrait, for sure. The human element will always trump for me.
Favorite Photo Book?
I always fall back to Albert Watson’s “Cyclops” as almost being a fucking bible for how to want to learn to light. His grasp of lighting is phenomenal. When I started using lighting when I was 20 or so, I would carry a dog-eared copy of that book everytime I shot just try to mimic his portrait lighting style. If anyone could ever glean 1/50th of his understanding of lighting, I’d say they had chops. I was lucky enough to assist him for a while when I first came to New York. I sent him (and his first assistant at the time) about 8 or 10 letters to request an interview. I was even able to go with him on a last minute trip to Morocco. That’s where he shot one of my other favorite photo books: “Moroc.”
Favorite Place On Earth?
The south shores of Lake Superior are my home, no matter wherever else I may have a fancy for in the mean time.
What is your most treasured possession?
If you asked me a few years ago I’d say my motorcycle or an old 5×7 field camera that I got in exchange for a VW exhaust system. But I can honestly say that now it’s my wedding ring (something I swore I would never need or have…and my motorcycle 
Which photographer(s) inspire you?
See my answer for #4.
Advice for any youngsters looking to get into the biz?
I’d say ask yourself these two questions: If you were really, really rich would you still be shooting? If you were really, really poor would you still be shooting? If your answer to either of these questions is no or maybe I’d say figure out something else to do.
Any future projects or trips lined up?
I’d really like to get back to Sri Lanka to study the Veddas. But I’ll have to wait (hopefully not long) until the fighting subsides, as clearance is next to impossible now to get to where I’d have to go.
What’s the story behind the photo below?
I shot that as part of a fashion story for the now defunct magazine “Platinum Plus.” We worked within Fort Green park in Brooklyn, but I wasn’t trying to make it look like Fort Green. Alaric Campbell, a great photographer I collaborate with from time to time, was the AD on this shoot. We were on a tight budget and even used a Uhaul van as our location truck as we couldn’t afford an RV. It all came together so well though. Sometimes pulling it off by the hair of your teeth is so satisfying! I shot that particular shot with a 50mm on my RZ. Once the model laid out on the stump I just boomed a medium softbox out over her and gave it some shape with that. It gave a great saturated sky and I was able to get just low enough to hide most of the buildings on the other side of the park. It’s one of my favorite shots from that year.
You can see more of Craig’s work here.
Preakness Bound
Posted by Matthew Furman / Black And White, Horses, On Location, Personal Work, Stories, Travel
I’m off to Baltimore for the weekend to check out the Preakness Stakes. I’ve never been to a horse race, so I’m looking forward to it. In the spirit of things, here’s a few images I took when on assignment to photograph a Polo player last year. I ended up having some extra time before my flight back to NYC, so I just wandered around the stables with my camera.
Q+A With David A. Land
Posted by Matthew Furman / Fellow Photographers, Q+A, Stories, Travel
In a few words, what do you shoot?
I shoot mostly portraits, interiors, travel and entertainment.
What is your weapon of choice?
I love the Mamyia RZ 67. I use it handheld, tripod, whatever. Of all the cameras I use, I feel like the RZ is the truest representation of the way that I see.
Which do you Prefer:
B+W or Color? Color
Film or Digital? Film - I feel like one of the last holdouts.
Studio or Location? Location - even when I shoot still lifes, I’d much rather shot on location where I have real elements to pull from.
Portrait or Landscape? Portrait
Favorite Photo Book?
“Questions Without Answers” by Duane Michals - One of my first and still one of my favorites.
Favorite Place On Earth?
Brooklyn, NY
What is your most treasured possession?
A vase form my grandfather.
Which photographer(s) inspire you?
Duane Michals, Sebatiao Salgado, Robert Polidori
Advice for any youngsters looking to get into the biz?
Don’t underestimate assisting. I learned so much more form being an assistant than I did from photography school. Even on those jobs where you think you’re not learning anything new, you’re still learning.
Any future projects or trips lined up?
A trip to Berlin and a new interiors project.
What’s the story behind the photos below?
I was on a boat going from the landing strip to the island of Lamu, Kenya. I couldn’t wait to get my camera out and start shooting. I loved the way the guys steered with his foot while looking out from above. The second image was shot at dawn. I hired 2 dhows, one to shoot from and another 2 shoot. The weather cooperated perfectly.
You can see more of David’s work here.
Bus Stop Portrait
Posted by Matthew Furman / Brooklyn, NYC, Personal Work, Portrait, Red Hook, Stories
Walking to my office today I saw this guy waiting for the bus. I told him he was looking rather dapper and asked him if I could take his picture. He was thrilled, and said he was on his way to a job interview. I didn’t ask him what the job was, but I really hope he gets it.
Graffiti Zen
Posted by Matthew Furman / Black And White, Brooklyn, Graffiti, Red Hook, Stories, Street Art
Some people do yoga, some people hit up a bar, but these guys prefer to go out and tag buildings to chill out. They just pull up, blast some reggaeton, and get to work.
Men’s Health Outtakes
Posted by Matthew Furman / On Location, Outtake, Stories
I posted a few images that didn’t make the cut for ‘The War…On Drugs’ feature in the May issue of Men’s Health. You can view them here. You can also read the story here.
The War…On Drugs
Posted by Matthew Furman / On Location, Outtake, Stories
I recently did an assignment for Men’s Health photographing soldiers back from Iraq that have become addicted to prescription drugs. I flew to Cali, then to Nashville for the shoots. I can’t really get into it because it’s coming out in the next issue. But I will have more to write about this soon, as well as outtakes that didn’t make the cut. This was one of those assignments that really struck a nerve, and my heart goes out to all the vets and their families that are dealing with the very serious issue that is PTSD, the best they can.
