Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Ernest C. Withers and the STAX Museum of American Soul shoot

I had the good fortune to shoot all the festivities for the grand opening of the STAX Museum of American Soul Music. It was a week long event and a lot of the artist from STAX were there. At one of the venues the Gibson Guitar Lounge there were several performing artist and a large pack of photographers. The pack was running back and forth in front of the stage trying to get the shot. I don't do packs. Below is an example of a pack at the Blues Music Awards. I like the guy with the little point and shoot next to all that big glass (lens)


There was kind of a moat thing in front and on the sides of the stage. I sat on the steps in front of the stage to the left. I left enough room between me and the handrail so that someone could walk through. I watched the pack running back and forth and I would wait for the artist to move in front of me on stage to take my shot.
I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked expecting security to tell me to move as I was a fire hazard or something. It was Ernest C. Withers the iconic civil rights and music photographer. Not to mention one of my hero photographers. He sat down next to me filling the space between me and the handrail. He did just what I was doing and waiting for the shot. I was on cloud nine. Here were all these photogs from all over the world running back and forth trying to get THE shot and Mr. Withers and I sat in our little spot and waited for the shot to come to us. HA. I waited till he took his shot before I would take mine. I watched him closely to say the least. That is when I got the photo bug again. Maybe I am doing something right. I got to meet and see him in action several times after that. But I'll never forget that experience. Thanks Mr. Withers!


Tuesday, September 28, 2010

It Starts Here with my father Frank A. Pusateri

Hi I have been interested in photography most of my life. My father was a staff photographer for the Houston Chronicle and I would go with him for some of his fluff assignments. While he would be in the darkroom developing, I would be right outside with a pan of water and photo paper developing clouds. Well that is what the image looked like. He was also a Deputy Sheriff (what was a $1.00 a year position) and shot crime scene photos. I never got to go with him for those. I put photography on a back burner to work on my music. I could not afford to do both. I still shot as much as I could with cheap cameras with predictable results. I mostly shot musicians and bands. After a few years of this I felt like I was just taking snapshots. I have been hired a few times for event and band shoots, but I still felt like it needed more. I needed to learn more about the art of photography. I bought my first real digital camera and began to learn how to use it. I learn something new everyday. I plan on documenting my journey here. more to come. I ask my dad one time "what does it take to be a photographer" I was thinking he was going to tell me about classes or college or something like that. He said "you have to be fearless and get the shot". It took me years to really get that. Here is a photo of my father Frank Pusateri with Edward G Robinson and some other actor who I do not know.