spending time with a legend of film and photo

He is a little older
and grayer.

I got to spend my morning with the famous photographer Joel Sternfeld, aka the "exclusive" photographer of the High Line. He played a huge role in making people aware of it (before it was the actual 'High Line') by capturing it in its wild and uninhibited pre-park state. He gave it a voice, a reason, and an identity...so to speak. My department was his subject in a three-hour photo shoot on this glorious day because he needed to scout locations for our board photo, which will be taken in the upcoming weeks before section three opens. Section three is the last and final section of the High Line and it is opening this fall. We want a professional photograph of our board members in the new section without crowds and visitors, and because it is better to waste our time rather than that of our trustees, we were the substitute models. It was amazing watching him work. He explained the difference six inches can make when taking a photograph in Manhattan (or anywhere I guess); the difference between capturing a McDonald's sign vs. the silhouette of the Empire State Building, or making a white roof the part that draws your eye to the image vs. subject. He was gentle, soft spoken, and made it quite enjoyable. I am obviously partial to people who take the time to recognize and create quality photography (hello husband!), but this guy was such a character. I hope the sun is shining as brightly as it was today on the day of the actual shoot. Click here to see a collection of his works.