“The actual process of creating something from it’s inception to completion in the form of a finished work of art was and still is challenging, and I enjoy the limitations that come with the format and time component of large format film photography.”

Who is Steve Sherman?

Steve Sherman is a large format photographer based in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. His work is currently represented by the Paul Paletti Gallery in Louisville, Kentucky.

While I had met Steve at local PPA gatherings from time to time, it wasn't until I had a question or two that I approached Steve to go over some of the functions of my 4″x5″ field camera.

The truth is, my field camera baffled me. I have a stash of old Polaroid Type55, and I recall playing with it about 15 years ago, but the camera, the shutter release, and the storage box had not seen daylight much. And, to me, that's a travesty. Steve, I'm sure, agrees, though he prefers to use a 5″x7″ field camera instead.

Given how ubiquitous screens are in our lives today, I suspect way too many of us haven't laid our eyes on an actual print produced from a large format negative.

To put it bluntly, a well-exposed negative, dutifully processed in the right developer will yield prints that are nothing short of divine.

And, if you were to walk into Steve's darkroom, you'll see first-hand these gorgeous prints, well, everywhere. It's fair to say that Steve's life revolves around his family and his photography.

When my one question turned into three or five, I had to stop myself from asking more because Steve's responses were immediately actionable.

“Here, let me show ya,” he would say as he embarked on a mini-lesson that I was sure customized on the spot for me. If you were to meet Steve, you'd find him to be patient, observant, and thoughtful.

The Interview

I didn't want him thinking that I was just there to exploit his 35+ years of knowledge on the subject. So, I invited him to what I thought would be a quick chat in his darkroom.

Peter Dylag, who had initially introduced us, was also there, setting up his video cameras to film the entire episode for Steve's YouTube channel.

If you would rather watch the chat, check it out here –

Large Format Environmental Black & White Photography

Here are some examples of Steve's large format photography. Yes, I do fully understand the irony of publishing these small and on your screen for you to see. Let me repeat – if you ever get a chance to view Steve's work in person, do it. Each frame is a wonderful journey.

In addition following Steve's YouTube channel, I recommend you check out his dedicated Facebook page for large format photography.

From one of his recent posts:

“My three part video on the theory and operation of the View Camera will premiere on New Years Day. 34 minutes of Hi Def video is my gift to all who have interest as I take a break from Social Media.”

I do hope you spend a little time away from social media learning something brand new (if it is that) in 2020!

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Why Stories?

If you lived in the US between 1985 and 1987, you probably watched a show on the NBC television network called Amazing Stories.

While the 45-episode series explored fantasy, horror and science-fiction, as a 15-year old boy, I was hooked. I wasn't the only one, though. I recall that series being the subject of many discussions at school between friends who were also watching it with me.

Why?

Well told stories, whether it was your grandma or a Steven Spielberg production (which Amazing Stories was), have a way of capturing people's imagination, delivering a message with impact and motivating or inspiring action.

But narrating stories is a skill that doesn't come easy. Much less an epic story, I have struggled all my life to tell a joke without swallowing the punchline. So, if telling stories is powerful and it can captivate audiences near and far, online and off-line, how does one embrace the process of storytelling that it becomes second nature?

Storytelling Is Sacred

Enter Patrick Moreau of Muse Storytelling. He staunchly believes he has the process figured out. His company Stillmotion routinely wins awards, including five Emmy's, for documentaries the company has produced for its clients.

When it comes to storytelling from the heart, we believe you can learn more from a well-informed friend than you can from the finest academic institutions. We bring this personal approach to our storytelling processes, books, online courses, intensive workshops, filmmaking consultation, mentorships, and speaking events in the world at large.

Patrick Moreau is quite literally, obsessed with story. He believes that story is unparalleled in it’s ability to bring people together. And so he spends his days telling stories through his filmmaking at Stillmotion and helping others be empowered by story through their Muse Storytelling process.

He believes that we must “guide the heart, but move the heart” – that we need to connect emotionally if we want to change the behavior or perspective of our audience. It’s a philosophy that’s been presented to global business leaders at the United Nations in 2014 as well as at TedX (see below).

He’s worked for some big brands, directed several documentaries, won some Emmy’s, but more than any of that, he’s a real dude that loves the craft of filmmaking and how it’s a skeleton key to unlock so much wonder in this world.

Read – What science can teach us about being a truly happy creative?
Read – The importance of storytelling over statistics.
Read – What makes for a great Super Bowl ad?

The Interview

I had a wonderful opportunity to speak with Patrick about Muse Storytelling and his work at Stillmotion:

Examples of Stillmotion's Work

Click on the photographs below to get a glimpse of the work Patrick and his team at Stilmotion have produced in the past.

Patrick Moreau at TedX

Do you still need to be convinced about storytelling? Here is a TedX talk that Patrick gave just last year:

Tools To Build Stories – Register For Storybuilder

So, how does one construct a story? If you are a filmmaker or a photographer, you have a lot of factors to consider and keeping track of them all is challenging.

Patrick Moreau and his team are on the cusp of releasing a tool to help you build your stories. It's called Storybuilder and it launches on May 23rd. Register for the launch and receive 3 months to give the new tool a whirl for free.

When Canadian photojournalist Louie Palu and co-director Devin Gallagher launched a campaign on Kickstarter to fund their film Kandahar Journals, it was very quickly funded. Still, the duo are looking to raise even more money for their project.

To date, there are 290 backers who have donated $29,000+ for the completion and distribution of this film about Louie's experiences as a photojournalist in Afghanistan.

Louie and I sat down to chat about the project. Here is that conversation:

Now today more than ever, we need to examine conflict and the policies driving it.

With only 12 more days to go, the campaign could use your financial support to get this film distributed even more widely than originally planned. As I said and as I believe, it's only through dialogue and exploration of other cultures can we approach peace, reconciliation and perhaps even an end to the war in Asia.

Louie Palu, Devin Gallagher and a small crew of other collaborators have risked life and limb to unwaveringly bring home this poignant story. Now it is our turn to honor them by supporting Kandahar Journals, before the campaign ends.