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[ November 28, 2000 ]
Rafael Fuchs met me at his studio door with engaging enthusiasm. As he showed me his work, what struck me was his capacity for expression when describing his photography. He also has the ability to maintain acute sensitivity to subject without compromising technical or creative integrity. These are the qualities that make Rafael such a successful photographer.
Rafael got his B.F.A. in Photography at The Bezalel Art Academy in Jerusalem. When he arrived in New York City on a hot, humid day in May of 1989, he immediately surrendered to its magic. He displayed his work in small East Village galleries for a number of years before he was hired to shoot Ricki Lake for Entertainment Weekly. Since then, he has photographed notable personalities such as Burt Reynolds, Larry King, Emily Watson, Malcolm McLaren, and Colin Powell. He has also done editorial and advertising work for The New York Times Magazine, Men's Health, Time, and Life. Honors for his work include A.P.A.'s First Award for Portraiture and Communication Arts' Award for Excellence.
Anybody can say they are a photographer, even without digital. Digital just gives you immediacy. I don't think that the effects of the digital camera are going to be a threat to photographers. What's the most important thing you've learned along the way? As I was just starting out, I had a shoot with Ed Koch. I didn't even finish a roll and he's asking me if I think I've got it. I'm trying to have a facade of self-confidence and I said 'Yeah'. He left. Now I always try to get more. It was a good lesson for me; Photography is always a conversation between the subject and the photographer. So, if the subject matters, you always want to try. Sometimes you'll get it in the first frame. Literally. Does your intuition let you know when you've got it? You know. But the road is so long that you can try a different turn and something unexpected will show up. So even when I know, I want to play a little more and see what else is there.
Barely. I had to work my butt off in the darkroom to make it happen. Whose work to you respect or admire? Mario Sorenti. He's doing advertising and editorial. He does very sexy aggressive work. His work is so versatile. Stephen Klein is another photographer whose work I like. In a previous article you expressed an interest in directing commercials and music videos, is that still something you are aspiring to? I am definitely thinking about it. [I'm] watching more commercials, shooting a lot of video on my own. I have other things to do before I go in a different direction. What do you do for inspiration? I walk in the streets. I'll go to a club every once in awhile to see what's going on. I listen to music or go to the movies. Basically, I look around. What do you do when you're not being a photographer? Laughing: "I take pictures." - Contributed by Mary Beth Holland >> See other member spotlights on the artist spotlight index >> Find out more on how to become an altpick.com member |
During the course of our interview he took my picture. "Do you mind?" he asked. He continued, "One time I was shooting Michael Stipe for People Magazine. He had just come home to his West Village apartment and was making tea and talking on the phone. I wanted to include an environmental shot so I snapped a picture. Then, I apologized for taking pictures while he was on the phone." Imitating Michael's familiar stare, Rafael said, "And Michael says, 'It's okay. Don't say you're sorry, just do your work,' and I thought, he's right."
