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[ October 9th, 2006 ] Los Angeles based celebrity, portrait, and fashion photographer, Joaquin Palting, lately has found his main focus to be primarily on musicians in the rap genre. �Palting has had sessions with: The Game, TI, Ice Cube, and the Black Eyed Peas. But overall his work and subjects of interest are much more diverse and continue to grow. Palting's mother, a fine art photographer, exposed him to photography at an early age. His earliest childhood memories involve "assisting" her in the field whether it was carrying a tripod or spending countless hours in the darkroom watching photographs come to life. Joaquin laughs about it because in those early years photography was never really something that captivated him. But as Palting recounts his childhood the idea of being a photographer was a seed that was planted in his subconscious... How did you start your career as a professional photographer? Well I graduated from college in the early nineties and at the time the first Gulf War was happening and the economy was just terrible. I spent about 6 months trying to get a "real" job with my degree in economics but it was really slim pickens. Having grown up in the western United States I was always aware that sometimes a road trip was a good way to clear your mind and get a fresh perspective. So...I packed up, hit the road, and headed for the mountains of Colorado and New Mexico. Before I knew it the road trip turned semi-permanent and I became what some people might refer to as a "snowboard bum". I lived in different ski towns for a number of years so that I could spend my time snowboarding. I wasn't really a "bum" though, as I worked very hard as waiter, bartender, and in the summer months a construction worker, in order to sustain myself. After a few years of this I was ready for a change so I moved to Denver, CO. I spent a year doing various temp jobs until one morning I woke up and had an epiphany...I NEED TO BE A PHOTOGRAPHER. I know a lot of people say this, but I remember it very clearly. I literally woke up with that thought in my mind, so I figure it must have been buried in my subconscious.
So how did you end up working in Los Angeles? I was immediately taken with the idea of photographing artists, actors, musicians, and Los Angeles seemed the obvious choice to me. Plus I figured I could keep balanced and sane by spending my free time outdoors surfing and snowboarding. How do you approach your portrait sessions? To me the assignment starts from the moment that I get confirmation from the client. I love doing as much research as I can before I get into the studio. That includes reading interviews, bios, and looking at a few visual references of the person as well. That way on the day of the shoot I have a starting point in terms of conversation and that puts the person immediately at ease. If the client leaves the art direction up to me then I like to see if I can collaborate with the person who I am shooting. I usually ask their publicist to see if the artist/actor has a way or a concept in which they have always dreamed of being photographed but have never had the opportunity to. Most of the time they just let me do what I want. �But I am still waiting for the day when somebody says something wild like " you know Joaquin I have always wanted to be photographed hanging on to the flag pole atop the Empire State Building just like King Kong!"
What distinguishes you from other photographers working in your field? Well first and foremost I love working on big productions...the bigger the better. I think that one of my greatest strengths on set is being a good director. I liken it to being a conductor on train. You make sure everybody is on board, you keep at tight schedule, and at the end of the day hopefully everybody enjoyed the ride. I also like the collaborative process...taking a concept and seeing what all the team members involved can add to the job so in the end we create the best possible photograph. I've watched other photographers work and some leave you with the impression that it's going to be "my way or the highway" I could never work like that. And my use of light...that's what my clients seem to comment on the most. Have you embraced the digital revolution that is taking place in photography?You know, it's funny I have been shooting exclusively digital for a year now and absolutely love it. My mother was a real traditionalist and that is what rubbed off on me. When I first started I had this romantic notion that I would shoot everything I could with a 4X5. Then about 2 years ago clients, assistants, even models started asking me why I wasn't shooting digital. I would usually scoff and say " I am going to be the last photographer to switch... I love film!" When I think about it now, my reaction was due to the fact that I am not really a technical person and the idea of having to learn a whole new way of working seemed like a daunting task. But 2 years later I can't imagine shooting film again. Digital capture has revolutionized my work flow. It is invaluable when pre-lighting, and I love the fact that the clients can watch the whole process unfold before their eyes...it's fun. Shooting digitally has also opened me up to the idea of post production. I used to be really married to producing everything in camera and photo realism. I still work as though that were the case, However, I have finally found a retoucher who understands my vision and my style has really evolved.
Who were your favorite portrait subjects to work with? Most recently I have photographed rap artist The Game, and Ultimate Fighting Champion Chuck Liddell. Individually they come from completely different backgrounds. As with all my subjects though, I enjoyed connecting with them on the common ground of being human. I was really able to do that during both the shoots and as a consequence the final photographs really excited me. I could see the moments of vulnerability and emotion that connect us all. I have also taken some amazing photographs of my wife. She is a model and my favorite photograph of all time is a shot that we took in the desert east of Los Angeles. What do you think it takes to be a successful photographer?Well if you have a trust fund you are already half way there (laughter). Unfortunately that wasn't the case for me so I had to build everything from the ground up. You of course need: sound technical skills, natural creativity, an understanding of people, business savvy, humility, a sense of humor, and tenacity...never give up. If you are able to find a way to balance all of those things you will be successful. It also takes exceptional �listening skills. You have to listen and really understand what you clients are asking for, what your model needs, what your stylist and other team members are asking. I guess being a good listener also makes you a good person, not just a good photographer.
Lastly whose photographic work do you appreciate? Without a doubt my favorite photographers are Philip-Lorca diCorcia, Gregory Crewdson, and Larry Sultan. Each of them are really masters of light and story telling. At first glance their photographs look very natural and yet if you spend a little longer looking you realize that there is a subtle other worldly light surrounding the subject that is really captivating. Contributed by Tony Milano >> See more work from Joaquin Palting >> See other member spotlights on the member spotlight index >> Find out more on how to become an altpick.com member |
