Archive for January, 2012

Keep in Flight – John H. White quotes

January 29th, 2012

Oct. 2nd, 1997. My second week in Chicago. Before this date I wanted to be an art photographer. Every day after has been an amazing gift. And I owe John more ‘thank yous’ than I could ever express.

Sitting in class that night at Columbia College was Tamara Bell. These pages are from her journal of the time that she allowed me to photograph and publish. We’ve been friends and colleagues ever since.

The pages are quotations from our teacher, friend, mentor, and co-worker, John H. White. In his 30 plus years teaching photojournalism at Columbia College thousands of lives have been changed. So many young people like myself came in thinking they were going to be Andres Serrano and left wanting to be John. He infects you with the addiction that is documenting the light and life that surrounds you. To always be in the world witnessing and recording. If you’ve sat in that class some of these words will bring you back.

If you need proof watch the crowd from the last PJ Love gathering. Then check this Sun-Times commercial.

Some of my favorite quotes:
“You must have intimacy with light and nature.”
“Stay connected to the people that fuel your journey.”
“We are visual servants.”
“Talent unused loses it’s usefulness.”
“One of the greatest things in life you can do is give.”