Altpick talks with Tadd Myers (http://altpick.com/lambert72) about his ongoing documentation of "The American Craftsman Project":
Altpick: Over the last 2 decades each year seems like the small shop craftsman are closing. For example the barbershops, shoemakers, watchmakers etc. in New York City seem to have disappeared. What inspired you to begin your project of your local craftsmen in Texas?
Tadd Myers: This American Craftsman Project began as a job for a client, but soon became more of a personal curiosity. My client Matchbox Studios hired us to photograph Hull Historical Architectural Millworks in Fort Worth, TX. for their website. After the shoot we began to wonder what other companies are still handcrafting products in America. My producer and I began researching possible companies all around the state of Texas. We found many possible candidates, but weeded them down to about half a dozen. The project bloomed from there and has now grown to 10 craftsman with an additional 5 scheduled to launch in the coming months.
AP. What was your experience in meeting with these individuals? How do they feel about their craft, the future and passing along their knowledge?
TM. In meeting and talking with each of these individuals I found them all to have a passion for what they are doing. They all seemed to have successfully avoided the “typical” definition of American success defined by monetary wealth. I feel they all discovered that success is not just about money, it’s also about independence and a quality of life. This has always been my opinion on success as well. I have always felt that success is defined by many aspects of one’s life and this is why I think I connected so well with them.
Oxxford Clothing - A Tradition of Tailoring from Tadd Myers on Vimeo.
AP. In reference to Vince Pawless, the guitar craftsman that you photographed, understanding how the guitar should be made to produce just the right sound… Do you feel that that depth of passion in today's new generation is as strong?
TM. I’m hopeful that what we’re all facing right now in our country will be a wake-up call for all of us to appreciate things more. The next generations of Americans will have to compete in a broader world market and find something to be passionate about. Inspiration and passion will be a very important aspect to the future success of our country as it has been since America’s founding.
AP. Is the American craftsman a lost art or do you see a come back?
TM. I think the connection many viewers have to this body of work is the current “place” many of us find ourselves today. There are many good people out of work and searching for that “next” chapter in their life. These craftsman serve to inspire us to find something we love to do and find a way to make a living at it.
Danner Boots - Crafting Higher Standards - Overview from Tadd Myers on Vimeo.
AP. What is it about your photography style that captures the feeling that transcends time and brings you back to the late 1800s and early 1900s?
TM. I’m not sure. I guess sometimes I feel like I’m an “old soul”. I also appreciate history including the history that all of our grandparents could tell us about. This internal interest embedded in me goes back to another personal project I worked on back in 2000 I called “Life of a Grandfather, where I interviewed and documented my own Grandfather's life (Cecil L. Toombs). I've always been fascinated by the past and how our individual families and society as a whole have evolved.
AP. How would you describe your photographic style?
TM. Photographically I like images with depth. I love using camera focus or DOF (depth-of-field) to control the compositional elements inside the frame. This also provides me the ability to isolate a person out of an environment and keep them the most important part of the frame. Using focus effectively can also be a means to create a more dynamic composition.
AP. The quote "There's proportion and scale that relates to the human body. When rooms are done right, they make you feel right? Can you tell us a little more about this person?
TM. This was a quote by Brett Hull who is the owner of Hull Historical Architectural Millworks. He and his craftsman create some of the most amazing woodwork I’ve ever seen. They work on projects from personal homes to city contracts to create, preserve, or restore historically accurate architecture. He has published 2 books on “period accurate” mill working and is a very passionate and exciting person.
AP. Currently the book is available only on-line. Are you looking for a publisher?
TM. Yes, the gallery opening book (April 2009) was the first step to promote the project. I’m hoping that once we grow the project in scale and geographic diversity in the next year we’ll have something we can pitch to a potential publisher. I think there could be a very broad base of interest for a book of this nature.
AP. Thank you Tadd for sharing your experience and amazing series of photographs.
Be sure to click on the "Oxford Clothing Co" video for an inside look into the only manufacturer in the United States who still tailors suits by hand.
