Look at all of the different kinds of photography Abelardo Morell does and begin to think about what you like to photograph. Which of his photos do you like best?

Career

Check out a photographers portfolio.

Read this article for instructions on how to make your own photogram!

Make your own photogram!

Photographers

Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects, using digital or film cameras and equipment. May develop negatives or use computer software to produce finished images and prints. Includes scientific photographers, aerial photographers, and photojournalists.

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

First Interest High-Point

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

Second Interest High-Point

Third Interest High-Point

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Media and Communication Equipment Workers

Take pictures of individuals, families, and small groups, either in studio or on location.

Adjust apertures, shutter speeds, and camera focus according to a combination of factors, such as lighting, field depth, subject motion, film type, and film speed.

Use traditional or digital cameras, along with a variety of equipment, such as tripods, filters, and flash attachments.

Create artificial light, using flashes and reflectors.

Determine desired images and picture composition, selecting and adjusting subjects, equipment, and lighting to achieve desired effects.

Test equipment prior to use to ensure that it is in good working order.

Review sets of photographs to select the best work.

Estimate or measure light levels, distances, and numbers of exposures needed, using measuring devices and formulas.

Manipulate and enhance scanned or digital images to create desired effects, using computers and specialized software.

Perform maintenance tasks necessary to keep equipment working properly.

Perform general office duties, such as scheduling appointments, keeping books, and ordering supplies.

Determine project goals, locations, and equipment needs by studying assignments and consulting with clients or advertising staff.

Select and assemble equipment and required background properties, according to subjects, materials, and conditions.

Enhance, retouch, and resize photographs and negatives, using airbrushing and other techniques.

Set up, mount, or install photographic equipment and cameras.

Produce computer-readable, digital images from film, using flatbed scanners and photofinishing laboratories.

Direct activities of workers setting up photographic equipment.

Employ a variety of specialized photographic materials and techniques, including infrared and ultraviolet films, macro photography, photogrammetry and sensitometry.

Engage in research to develop new photographic procedures and materials.

Set up photographic exhibitions for the purpose of displaying and selling work.

Develop visual aids and charts for use in lectures or to present evidence in court.

License the use of photographs through stock photo agencies.

Mount, frame, laminate, or lacquer finished photographs.

Photograph legal evidence at crime scenes, in hospitals, or in forensic laboratories.

Transfer photographs to computers for editing, archiving, and electronic transmission.

Develop and print exposed film, using chemicals, touch-up tools, and developing and printing equipment.

Send film to photofinishing laboratories for processing.

Board reflectors

Bubble machines

Camera cleaning brushes

Camera flash attachments

Camera positioning tripods

Computer inkjet printers

Computer laser printers

Contact print frames

Darkroom thermometers

Darkroom timers

Digital pens

Digital photo printers

Digital still cameras

Dimmers

Dye sublimation printers

Electric print dryers

Film cameras

Film drying cabinets

Film scanners

Flash memory data storage devices

Flatbed scanners

Focus assists

Fog machines

Force film washers

Global positioning system GPS devices

Graduated neutral density GND filters

Graphics tablets

Haze filters

Image enlargers

Incident light meters

Label printers

Lamp reflectors

Laptop computers

Large format printers

Macro lenses

Magnifier loupes

Mobile adapters

Negative proofers

Neutral density ND filters

Optical media printers

Optical viewfinders

Personal computers

Polarizing lens filters

Rapid photo print washers

Reflected light meters

Ring flashes

Snoots

Softboxes

Sound blimps

Special effects projectors

Studio strobe flashes

Tablet computers

Telephoto lenses

White balancing lens filters

Wide angle lenses

Wireless flash triggers

Zoom lenses

Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Systems Adobe After Effects

Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffects

Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Suite

Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign

Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

Apple Final Cut Pro

Blinkbid

Cradoc fotoBiz

Email software

Facebook

Genbook

HindSight InView

Intuit QuickBooks

Light Blue Software Light Blue

Microsoft Access

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

ShootQ

ShootZilla

Simplifi pixifi

Simply Studio System

StudioCloud

StudioPlus Spectra

SuccessWare

Tave Studio Manager

Twitter

Web browser software

WordPress

Photographer/Professor

[MUSIC] Okay. you're going to want to make a left on 29. >> I have no idea what other name it could be. >> And no, it doesn't say. This map's really big, so it's not gonna have every street, so I can't. And I have no idea where we are because I can't. It's changed three times in two blocks, so [INAUDIBLE]. I'm just gonna wait til you see what these signs up here direct us to do. [MUSIC] How do we get to, through 78 East? >> Yeah. >> [FOREIGN] >> He's gonna pull over. [MUSIC] >> Take the service road straight down. >> This road right here? >> Yes, you can get the service road right there. Just take the right hand turn. >> Thanks guys. Bye. [MUSIC] >> Oh, that is big. >> Look at that. >> I saw the statue of liberty to our left. You saw him marking out the sword. >> I did. What's the Empire State Building? >> It's the one King Kong climbed. I'm sure there's more of a historical significance to it- >> [LAUGH] >> But that's what I know about it. >> Meribel Lieberman in Latina magazine they had an article like they do articles on different people and I read hers in there. Like she always had a fascination with like cocoa, like the powdered cocoa and just always had like this desire to like find or make a better one that suited her. So she finally just started off and made her company. And that's what she does now. They do like really kinda high end chocolates and also like cocoa powder. >> Would you like something to drink, some hot chocolate maybe? >> [LAUGH] >> All right, okay. >> Yeah, actually the whole reason for this roadtrip from California to New York is that we're trying to book interviews with people who are really passion about what they do. And love what they do. And it's really not about your career or what it is you're doing. It's how you got to where you are in life. And how streams like us will be able reset someday too. And we're wondering like it our age, which is like 20, 21 were you in the same predicament? >> I lived in Honduras. I grew up in Honduras, and was always dreaming, my mind was always dreaming. I knew that I didn't want to be a doctor, that I didn't want to be a lawyer. It was to formal for me. I was always thinking something more. I mean, I have just that type of personality. You know, I was more More like out of, you know like an audience type. I guess I was confused but I was just flying. You know, so, you know I am right now where I feel like I landed where- >> [LAUGH] >> Finally. [LAUGH] Yeah. >> Did you ever have anyone questioning, I don't know if you should do that, I don't think it's a good idea? Did you ever have anyone- >> Well I tell you, I come from a huge family of eight. >> Wow! >> And I'm the youngest one. I am the only one that left too. So I always told my mother I wanted to be an architect okay. >> Uh-huh. >> So then, when I was going to go to school I already I graduated and my mother said no you aren't going to be an architect. Because you're too, you're not even going to finish the university because you want to do things too fast you know. So this is the time when she said you're going to be a secretary. A bilingual secretary. You're going to learn English and this is what she put me to study, of course I failed. I failed because I hated it. I found today that what I really like is creation, you know. This is [LAUGH] [LAUGH] Oh, I should have been an architect. My mother should have listened to me. I think parents should listen more to the kids. I feel that often they always think that they know best. And I mean, a lot of times they know best. But there are a lot of times that you know, the kids know. Because there's another personality. Sometimes they expect the child to be like them. And it's totally different, you know. So when I started on my own by myself in the United States, I started knowing myself. You keep on living and then you say okay no I don't like psychology. I'd really like to be a beautician. Then you go for beautician. It doesn't matter. School doesn't close when you finish school. You know, the schools are open all the time. The point is, really enjoy what you do. And it's not about so much about money. Of course money comes, but I think when you enjoy what you like to do, you put your passion, and you work so hard, that eventually, the money's gonna come, because hard work is paid. >> You said you always dreamed, but it seemed like you just, you didn't just dream, you were doing something about it. Even if you didn't know exactly, >> Yeah, yeah. I was actually doing it. I was actually doing my dream. I think I was just being driven by my energy, but in the United States I think that, I really feel that you can do, you can achieve what you want, you know. But you have to always have the vision because if not you'll stay where you are you and you won't grow. In the beginning I didn't have a business plan because I opened a store luna chocolate with my girlfriend you know. And what happened the press went crazy for it. And a year later I opened this store. >> When you originally came to America were you scared at all? >> This is the thing, I was never scared. I was always very spunky Yeah. [LAUGH] >> Was it that you wanted to do something? Is that what kept you going? >> I think there was something that kept me going. And I think today it's because since I was the youngest one in my family and always telling me what to do and what's best for me. I think what get me going was to prove them that they're not always right just because they're older, you know. Now my family's working for me. [LAUGH] >> If there's a last piece of advice you can give us three confused college students [LAUGH] and our generation, I think it's on the same boat as we are as far as not knowing. And you know what would make us happy? >> Mm-hm. >> What advice would that be? >> I'm just gonna base it on what I did. When I was little, when I was eight years old I was making caramels to sell in school. And today, I'm making the same thing. [LAUGH] >> [LAUGH] >> [LAUGH] So what you see or sell, what you did when you're little. What you really enjoyed doing. Just go back to that age because at that age you're not trying to even prove yourself to anybody. You're not trying to even make money because you don't, I mean your parents are supporting you. You're used doing something for fun, so, I think that's a good way to find a little bit about yourself, what you like. [SOUND] >> She is amazing. >> When she said like I like to create and I was, that's freaking awesome. You don't ever go to school and I want to get a major in create, they never tell you that. >> Yeah, I think she's like an artist and that's like what art is is just like creating things. >> When they tell us make your own title. Totally she made her own title. [LAUGH] >> Yeah, I just really liked her. >> She's happy. >> Yeah, she's happy, and she was lost. >> So, do I wanna make a left here? >> Make a left. >> Okay. [MUSIC] Maybe I should take the turnpike exit because why does it say 25 south? Is this. >> See I don't know, I don't get it. >> Do you think if I loop around or something? What do I need to do? >> Turn around. >> I can't do it, now this car's slowing down. Is that really necessary? >> Where are [INAUDIBLE] far? Time wise, hour and a half? >> We have an interview at the Fitzers Rubenstein today. Hey, at two and I was actually calling to see, we're probably gonna be about a half an hour late. [MUSIC] >> We're never gonna get out of here. [MUSIC] >> We're going tothe house of Abelardo Morell, who's a fine art photographer based here in Boston. The problem is we don't have an intersection, I guess. >> Do you have his street address? >> What city are we in? [MUSIC] >> It's Davis Court, right? It's on Davis Avenue? Okay, is there any, you don't have any suggestions of where we could park a 36 foot motor home do you? We kind of just start it with asking where were you when you were just graduating and figuring out exactly like what sort of decisions to make, what kind of path you wanted to take in your life. >> I was born in Cuba and I left when I was 14. And we arrived here not as rich people but immigrants, poor. I mean, we were working class in Cuba. So it was very troubling when I said I wanna make pictures. I was sure that I was gonna do it. I didn't know how I was gonna make a living or the road ahead and it's probably good not to know, what you need to do. >> Mm-hm. >> Cuz it shouldn't be easy. >> He's just like a really simple guy. Just like his pictures. I love his emphasis of ordinary. Just, having an ordinary life doesn't matter. All right. Something about that Is extra ordinary in its own way. >> I worked as a janitor and door man and worked in the hospital for years and in the mean time I just kept having a somewhere and to me it's really important to have some sense of hope. Even when things are not feeling that great you stick with it. >> Mm-hm. >> You got to work for a living. So that sense of, when people talk about artist being these supreme beings, I just find that I don't like being put in some kind of hierarchy thing. So, I stress the idea of photographing things that we all share in some ways. It's important not to be esoteric. I love ordinary life, it's more productive I think. >> Makes me wanna go home and make more work. Just what he said, keep doing this, you got to, I know exact, when he says there are things you got to work on, I know exactly what I have to work on. And hell, I'm gonna go home and work on that. >> People always imagine oh wow, it's great photography. Eh, fame. 25 years of just money going out. [LAUGH] Money just going out. Effort, weekends. And then at some point things kinda, oh. But it really does take a long time and in fact it's good to get some kind of little fame in something later in life. If you get it too young, I think it's trouble. You start getting cocky and you think that you're the cat's meow and stuff. >> Because it's not about the success, it's about the work and so if the success comes before the work, how are you gonna work after that? >> It's just refreshing that your idols are normal people. >> He would like to ride around in a green RV in it's not above this or that, he was just- >> A regular guy. >> A regular guy. An ordinary guy. Yeah, I like that. [MUSIC] >> Half hour, half hour. >> Half hour, okay. [MUSIC] I was calling to say that we're running pretty late. I don't know how her, how this availability is today. I don't know if we could push it back. If you could just give me a call. We're still on the, are we on the Jersey Turnpike? >> Manhattan Bridge. >> Okay. [MUSIC] So we're assuming that Canal is straight ahead of me. Are we supposed to be on the left of Canal or right? [NOISE] [MUSIC] I really cannot move. [MUSIC] Should I try to switch lanes? >> I can't see anything. [MUSIC] All right. [MUSIC] [SOUND] [SOUND] [MUSIC] I'm Erica. >> Erica. >> Nice to meet you. >> Diana. >> Hi [CROSSTALK] >> You guys, what the hell happened? >> I know. >> That must have been so frustrating. [CROSSTALK] We are so sorry. >> We like to start out with the question to ask what you were like when you are on our age. When you were 21. >> I guess unlike you guys, knew exactly what I wanted to do. I thought the magazine thing was really interesting. So when you say, like, oh, we have no idea what we wanna do, part of me says, you sort of know. You just, it's a very daunting thing to sort of say, this is it. So basically what I did was when I was 21, I worked two different internships, one that was in beauty and fashion at Sassy Magazine and one that was editorial at American Health. So that way, worst case scenario I had more options. And then I graduated, I was 21, from Barnard. I still had my cap and gown on and my phone rings. And I assumed it was one of my friends saying, my parents and I are at such and such place, can you come meet us? But it was hi, I'm so and so, I'm the beauty director at Seventeen Magazine and I heard you're really terrific. I'm looking for an assistant, can you come in for an interview? And I was like, you know totally played it cool on the phone but hung up and I was screaming my head off. >> [LAUGH] >> Ten minutes later, the phone rings again. And it was the fashion director at Cosmopolitan magazine and she had heard about me and was looking for an assistant. And I ended up getting both jobs and I went to Cosmopolitan. And you know, that's what I did. June ninth I started as a fashion assistant at Cosmo. >> What, what brought you here to begin with? >> I wasn't the smartest girl in high school, I think or even in college. I really didn't care about school, like I never sat in my classes and was like wow this is great. I sat in my classes and thought about other things. You know, I had opinions about life, I had opinions about guys, I had opinions about jobs, I had opinions about everything and you know moving out of fashion was the only way I could make those opinions heard. >> Actually, I wanted to ask you about when you left to start CosmoGirl. >> I'll tell you how the CosmoGirl thing came about. I was a fashion editor. The editor in chief of Cosmo at the time told me that they were thinking about starting a teen magazine at Hearst. And next thing I know I'm meeting with the president of Hearst, again she's like oh it's no big deal. She just wants to pick your brain because you used to work at Sassy. Fine no big deal. I show up, sister's wearing. Well I used to dress really crazy. I was wearing pants slit up to my hips. Something covering my breasts. And stiletto boots like this that were like silver metallic, metallic. I didn't even think to not be myself. And at the end of the meeting she said, will you do a project for me? And I was like, yeah sure, sure. I don't really know what that meant. I did. I just worked really hard in two days. Got it ready for her. I didn't second guess. I didn't ask anybody for their opinions. I just did what I thought was right. She said to me, looks like we have ourselves a magazine. I didn't ask what that meant again because I was too shy. But, eventually I learned that I was the editor-in-chief. But isn't that funny how life happens? It's never how you expected. It's just a matter of dong the work of you. What is interesting to you right now? Maybe this is interesting to you right now. And once this is over there'll be another project which is interesting. You just keep doing it. And you do what you like. And eventually it turns into your life's work. Do you know what I mean? >> Yeah. >> You don't have to like go [SOUND] this. That's a lot of pressure. >> Okay, so if you do find work that you are passionate about, how do you keep it from consuming you? >> You don't. It consumes you. I will tell you this, that being the editor-in-chief is very different than when I was in your shoes talking to an editor-in-chief at how I expected her life was. It is so different. It, there's a reason why they call your salary, your compensation program, because they are compensating you, for giving up everything. Every single thing that touches me is, has to be related to my job. I work constantly. I'm always stress about the bottom line, if I walk by a new stand and Seventeen isn't there. I'm not like, must of sold out, I'm like call in my new stand person, why isn't Seventeen there. You do the best that you can, that's all that you can do. So don't think that people who are successful have it all together and I'm just some girl, do you understand what I'm saying? I'm not doing what I do, because I want more money, or because I want more recognition. Thank God I am fine. I don't need anything like that. But really, why I'm in this business, is to do what we're doing here. I like to talk to girls, and I like to help girls, in any way that they need help. Because I feel very fortunate. Today, terrible day. I've had a terrible, terrible, horrible day. But to be able to talk to you three, this is it. This is the best way for me to end my week. >> What advice or what new knowledge, in the niche that you're trying to fill, is it most important to pass onto the girls who read your magazine? >> I think at the end of the day, literally, if you just listen to yourself, there's always a voice inside your head, and a lot of people second guess it. It can tell me very crazy things and I will walk willingly into its arms. >> The day was long and the trip was hard and she made it worth it, you know. You were going there for a reason, and that makes it feel more valuable too you know. It was like you were in a search for something and she delivered it. >> I was like, I feel better. I'm like, that makes so much sense you know. Don't even think about a month from now. Don't even think about it. You found this project. You'll find things. Think about what you're doing right now. >> I think she helped us to understand ourselves better. >> Yeah. >> I don't think we've had that many other people worry, walked away and saying, I learned about me because of talking to her. >> But, she said that, she had a bad day but talking to us like was the way to end it, absolutely. >> Ditto. >> Today was a bad day, let's be honest. >> So now this day is just golden, you know what I mean? This is why. I'm so excited to do this every day. [MUSIC] >> The worst thing you can do in life is observe. Too many people >> Live it, derive it. >> I think we've got to take a moment from, everyone does, where they say wait a minute, who am I living this life for? >> It hasn't hit me yet, yeah it's the last day. I started packing. >> It's a little surreal still. >> It's totally flown by though. The days were so long, but it just seems like we just started, and now it's over. >> To watch more interviews from the road and listen to the music that keeps us driving, visit roadtripnation.com. Online you can learn more about the movement and how to bring the experience into your classroom. [MUSIC] 

The Central route team heads east to New York City to interview Maribel Leiberman, founder of Mariebelle Fine Treats and Chocolates. In Boston, the Northern route team interviews photographer Abellardo Morell. The Southern route team braves New York City traffic to interview Atoosa Rubenstein, editor-in-chief of Seventeen Magazine

New York City - Boston - New York City

We kind of just started with asking, where were you when you were just graduating, and figuring out exactly what sort of decisions to make, what kind of path you wanted to take in your life? >> I was born in Cuba and I left when I was 14, and we arrived here not as rich people, but immigrants, poor. I mean, we're working class in Cuba, so it was very troubling when I said I wanna make pictures. I was sure that I was gonna do it, I didn't know how I was gonna make a living or the road ahead. And it's probably good not to know what you need to do. Cuz just it's not, it shouldn't be easy. >> He's just a really simple guy, just like his pictures. I loved his emphasis of ordinary, just have an ordinary life, it doesn't matter. Something about that is extraordinary in its own way. >> And I worked as a janitor and doorman and worked in a hospital four years, and in the meantime I just kept having a dark room somewhere. And that's, to me, really important to have some sense of hope that even when things are not feeling that great, you stick with it. You gotta work for a living. And so that sense of when people talk about artists being these supreme beings, I just find that as bull--. I don't like being put in some kind of hierarchy of things, so I stress the idea of photographing things that we all share in some ways. It's important not to be esoteric. I love ordinary life, it's more productive, I think. >> Makes me wanna go home and make more work, just what he said, keep doing this. Like when he says there things you gotta work on, I know exactly what I have to work on, and hell, I'm gonna go home and work on that. People always imagine, oh wow, it's great, photography, [SOUND] fame. 25 years of just money going out, [LAUGH] money just going out, effort, weekends. And then at some point things kind of like, oh. But it really does take a long time, and in fact it's good to get some kind of little fames, I mean later in life. If you get it too young I think it's trouble. You start getting cocky and you think that you're the cat's meow and stuff. 

Interview

I worked as a janitor and doorman and worked in a hospital four years and meantime I just kept doing it, having a darkness from somewhere and that's to me really important to have some sense of hope. You know when things are not feeling that great, you stick with it, you gotta work for a living. So that sense of when people talk about artists being these supreme beings, I just find that as bull--. I don't like being put in some kind of hierarchy of things, so I stress the idea of photographing things that we all share in some ways. It's important not to be esoteric. I love ordinary life, it's more productive, I think. >> Makes me wanna go home and make more work, like just what he said, keep doing this. Like when he says there are things you gotta work on, I know exactly what I have to work on, and hell, I'm gonna go home and work on that. >> People always imagine, oh wow, it's great, photography, oh, fame. That's 25 years of just money going out, [LAUGH] money just going out. Effort, weekends, and then at some point, things kind of like oh, but it really does take a long time and in fact, it's good to get some kind of little fames, I mean later in life. If you get it too young, I think it's trouble. You start getting cocky and you think that you're the cat's meow and stuff. >> Because it's not about the success, it's about the work and so if the success comes before the work, then how are you gonna work after that? >> It's just refreshing that your idols are normal people. >> He would like to ride around in the green RV and he's not above this is or that, he's just- >> A regular guy. >> A regular guy, an ordinary guy. Yeah, I like that. 

Dedication

Hard Work

Simplicity

Success

It's Not About Success, It's About The Work

People always imagine, wow it's great photography, fame, that's 25 years of just money going out. [LAUGH] Money just going out, you know? Effort, weekends, and then at some point things kinda like. But it really does take a long time, and in fact it's good to get some kind of little fame or something later in life if you get it too young I think it's trouble. You start getting cocky, and you think that you're the cats meow and stuff. &gt;&gt; Because it's not about the success, it's about the work. And so If the success comes before the work, then how are you gonna work after that? &gt;&gt; It's just refreshing that your idols are normal people. &gt;&gt; Cut, excellent. &gt;&gt; He would like to ride around in the green RV and he's not above &gt;&gt; This or that, he was just- &gt;&gt; A regular guy. &gt;&gt; A regular guy, an ordinary guy. 

Abelardo Morell Highlight

Just start it with asking, where were you when you were just graduating and figuring out exactly like what sort of decisions to make, what kind of a path you wanted to take in your life? &gt;&gt; I was born in Cuba and I left when I was 14. And we arrived here not as rich people but you know, immigrants. Poor, I mean, we were working class in Cuba. So it was very troubling when I said I wanna make pictures. I was sure that I was gonna do it. I didn't know how I was make a living or the road had. And it's probably good not to know, you know, what you need to do cuz it's not, it shouldn't be easy you know. 

Struggle

It Shouldn't Be Easy

And I worked as a janitor, and doorman, and worked in a hospital for years. And meantime, I just kept having a darkroom somewhere. And that's to me, really important to have some sense of hope. That even when things are not feeling that great, you stick with it. 

Perseverance

Stick With It

What is it about the process that satisfies you the most? &gt;&gt; I like the process a lot. So I decided to try to make pictures of time. Weird, but everything is time so pictures of my puppy is time. I mean but how to make time really crucial. So I've been working on making a relief of a gun on thin lead so that it projects out, and then a bullet coming out of it. That way [INAUDIBLE] for those really, with strobes, really fast action. I'm trying to make it into kind of a sculpture of time. And I've been at it for days and days and days and I think okay, this is finally done. And if certain details don't look right, it's just the whole thing falls apart. And so maybe as I get older I really am caring more about the little details that make the thing just go perfect. And it's not just being anal, it's just being clear. That gun really needs to feel like a gun and this bullet really needs to feel like it's in midair. So quick inspiration, weeks of delivering it. I think that's the answer. 

Exploration

Process Is In The Details

Where do you find your inspiration in just looking at, let's say, some books or something? Is it just the light play, what inspires you to take the photograph then? &gt;&gt; If I could answer that, &gt;&gt; [LAUGH] &gt;&gt; I think there's a way to answer, that we live in a really remarkable world, I mean just us sitting around here is this Velasquez painting. I mean, it's just gorgeous. But we usually we don't have time for a lot of this, my God, you know look, or, because we have practical things to do. But maybe just sort of slowing down and say, wherever the hair against the thing, that may be something. So let's look at it. So I do say, time out, let me look at that shadow against that thing. And then once I think that you start looking at something long enough, something will come out, something will be interesting. The way, I mean there's a mat there, an empty mat that's sitting for a new picture or something. The other day it was vertical and it was sort of bending. And I was just here, and I said, I've never seen a good picture of a mat board. [LAUGH] So stupid little things like that to challenge yourself to do something silly and not officially subject. It's interesting to mix difficult pictures. So now I'm thinking about how to make a picture of a mat board. I mean it sounds really dumb, but who's to say what's greater, Mount Rushmore, mat board. &gt;&gt; [LAUGH] &gt;&gt; I think they're equal. 

Inspiration

Well I mean one of my first pictures, I mean it's not great, but your first pictures you always think, my god, stop the presses. This is it, [LAUGH] because you show them to people they go, yeah, so what? But I made a picture I think my first week where I walked into a motorcycle shop in Brunswick, Maine. And there was a calendar, whatever, October 1969, and there was a little girl, sort of pale and weird, and there was a motorcycle in the background. And I've never had that feeling where suddenly the calendar, the girl, and the motorcycle was a picture. It was not just light, it was something came together. And I was there to say it's a picture. And that combination of saying I've decided that this is a photograph was huge. It was like, this is mine. No one has ever seen this before. And it still kinda feels like that. No one quite will see it this way. It's nice to feel privileged in some ways. Not always, but. &gt;&gt; Yeah. &gt;&gt; Have this view that it's yours. 

Talent

Recognize Your Talents

You gotta work for a living. So that sense of when people talk about artists being these supreme beings. I just find this, I don't like being put in some kind of a hierarchy of things. So I stress the photographing things that will share in some ways. It's important not to be esoteric. I love ordinary life, it's more productive, I like. 

Important Not To Be Esoteric

What is it about teaching that fulfills you? &gt;&gt; It's like being with people who are like me but 30 years younger or whatever. It's being in the company of my youth. That spirit, that sense of things are interesting and wonderful. And so it gives you hope and inspiration, so it's great to be, you also have to be clear about stuff when you're teaching. You can't just say, well you know. I mean, you gotta be certain that what you're saying is communicated, and that makes you better to ask of regarding for you have to be more clear too in showing things the right way. Although the balance of teaching, teaching is demanding, and I can’t do as much of it now. Cuz, I don’t wanna be teaching and thinking that explosion I just made. It’ll be 30 minute, hi, [LAUGH]. 

Abelardo Morell

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Abelardo Morell

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