I always love going back to Ellis Island. This evocative historic site is not only an intrinsic part of our nation’s history, but a fitting personal remembrance for me is that it was also the site of the first successful coverage I have ever done for National Geographic in the late 80s. At the time I was a “New York” photographer, a contractor for Sports Illustrated and other (mostly) Time, Inc. magazines. A big job for SI can be 5-8 days. Geographic called and gave me 30 days to shoot Ellis! 30 days! And this, for them, is a “small” story.
Basically, I started living on the island, seeing it in every light. It was a wild, overgrown place at the time. History, emotions, and ghosts swarm the hallways.
We just finished a two-day workshop on amazing, rich photography on Ellis Island, in New York’s waterfront. Returning to the island for the first time in four years. Working in conjunction with Save Ellis . Foundation, we toured parts of the island that are very interesting and not limited to the public. The folks at Save Ellis do a tremendous job ensuring the preservation of this historic site that was once the gateway to so many.
Big thanks to our coming Save Ellis . Island tour guide who was amazing. Tom, Merlin, Jean, and Karen were all wonderful, guiding us, keeping us safe, and the font of Ellis wisdom and knowledge.
And thanks to all the hard-working photographers who hopped on the island ferry early in the morning to get to the island and catch the good light!
It’s a spot worth getting up early in. Details, hauntingly beautiful, abound. Can’t say enough about the performance of Nikkor 105 f2.8 microparallel to Nikon Z 9 in these types of situations. The AF is responsive and adaptable, and the 105 focusing is super fast and precise. We’ve all grown up with focus-seeking micro lenses and will ruminate, search, search. This combo is enabled, immediately. Put it to work with precise focus and you get super sharp, beautifully adjustable micro performance.
And, we talk about light all day. The way it charms and hits objects, gives spatial beauty. And, we teach flash in the morgue.
Caro set out for us, it was excellent. An amazing model, actress and talented person who works with The art of declaringa non-profit group organized by Liza Politi that works to empower economically disadvantaged young people to excel and advance in the visual and theater arts.
Of course Liza was widely known, along with her partner Ari Espay, to run Fancy Girl, Street Boy Productions which offers a great range of photo workshops around the globe. (Another show coming up, close to home, where I collaborate with Liza and Ari again in December. Christmas lights in NYC!)
Back to the morgue portrait shoot. Caro was patient with me when I worked with Profoto A10 unit and very handy Pro Clic softbox.
The demo is sometimes a bit funny.
Ellis always echoes in my head and heart when I can get back there. I did this painting yesterday. The doors are still there, and they are still open.
Thank you all, especially Save Ellis . Foundation. Check out their website, it’s a great archive of history and information.
As always, it was a great day of exploration with camera in hand.
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