Michael Kenna :: Images of the Seventh Day 

Stephen Ryde Thats awesome! I've heard he's extremely nice.

Rich Klein Thanks Rich. He's one of the best for sure!

Thanks Charles

David Meyer we'll do more - he's fantastic.

The Art of Photography Can't wait then :)

Would love to. One day...

Brian Richman A trip to the UK might be in order? ;-)

Not for a while. I spent 45 years (was born there) and now after 14 years of living in TX, there is much more here.

I'm from northern UK so I totally relate to this. Also, now there are often some really dramatic wind-farms that can be seen from the motorway too, which could be a really good area for someone to explore.

I can't remember the name of the place, but there used to be a bunch of cooling towers visible from the very top end of the M18 where it becomes the M62. Is that where the Drax place is? Rob Cronin We have a bunch of wind farms over here too, and I bet once we get out of the cold weather (we Texans don't really function outdoors when it's under 70 degrees), that I can take a trip to one. Only problem now is the stupid security people who want to run you off if you even look at some of these places. Unlike the UK, over here they carry guns!!!

Yeah spot on, I just googled it to double check, that's the one I'm thinking of. I'm from Sunderland but my girlfriend is from Leeds, so I've made that trip more times than I can count! :D On the subject of the police, I was taking a photo of a clocktower in Norwich (where I'm at uni) the other day, & I didn't realise it was right next to a police station. They came out to talk to me in a very accusatory manner. They didn't have the right to look at my photos, but I couldn't be bothered to argue, so I showed them anyway to diffuse the situation!

David Rothschild Enjoy it David. There's a lot of 35mm in there.

just jw mine too ;-)

I did a search and Wikipedia has this: "Since about 1986 he has mainly used Hasselblad medium format and Holga cameras and this accounts for the square format of most of his photographs." So I believe he means that Kenna had yet to start shooting square format.

I don't think you'd see the career dedication. Kenna works harder thank just about any photographer I can think of in the fine art space. He developed the style others copy. I don't think it has to do with the medium with the exception of the printing. His prints are gorgeous in person.

The Art of Photography I see what you mean. It goes back to what you said, would Kenna think of himself as a landscape photographer. Wouldn't it be great if you can interview him! Thanks for the reply.

Hopefully some day!

The Art of Photography I'm not sure how I feel about the statement, "He developed the style others copy." As well as some of your comments in the videos referring to those who do this type of style are "Michael Kenna Jr's" or "Kenna clones." I understand your point of view but I do feel like this is over simplifying the matter and can be misconstrued as discrediting these photographers who found this type of style on their own. Kenna's style is just that, a style, not a patent. Others can express themselves with the same elements of zen buddhist, minimalist composition, and atmospheric in nature just as equally as Kenna can. And if they use these elements that does not necessarily mean they are cloning his work. It is possible there are photographers who arrived at this type of style completely on their own, it just so happens that Kenna gained credit as arriving there first. Maybe the issue isn't that there are all these photographs that are emulating Kenna's work but for the mere issue that long exposures (where clouds/water soften, stars streaking) and minimalism are in vogue at the moment. Which is displeasing, because I do like that style of photography but am disheartened because so many people are doing it.

The Art of Photography And just too clarify, I do believe Kenna's work is amazing. I have respect for his talent, his style and that he shoots film and prints his own work. Yes, I'm sure there are people who are straight copying his style, but maybe not everyone is copying his style knowing it is his style. They see other people doing similar work so they try that and it happens to look like Kenna because that other person was referencing Kenna. Not everyone is knowledgeable about the history of photography. There will always be people who just want to take pictures of what's in style at the moment in order to get likes on instagram, views on flicker, unique hits on their site. Maybe those people are the one's that don't mind taking the path carved out by someone else. But then there are those who are trying to express themselves and those who want to forge their own path. You encouraged photographers to enter their second act in order to develop their personal style, which was appreciated because this is where I find myself in my photography journey. "What can I do that hasn't been done?" I often ask myself. I believe this is where you are really getting at in your The Road to Greatness video, and you touched base about it in your previous video Capturing Motion: From Vroman to Titarnko. And these are good videos and has made me do self reflection and critically thinking regarding my own personal style. I'm continuing to develop my own style and have started to narrow it down from taking pictures of anything and everything to something that speaks to me personally. It's going to take time to cultivate this but I know it will come and I would hate it if that style came out to considered a clone of someone else. Ok, this turned into something way too long. I'll leave you with, I really enjoy your videos and I learn so much from them. Thank you so much for what you are doing, keep it up and I look forward to seeing where this takes you.

Jon Burtoft Glad you like it - the France stuff is really amazing. Long ongoing project for him most of which was donated to the state as well.