| John Mathew Smith |
| " I have a rule, Whatever you would like to photograph should be one of two things.. Alive or Rare If it doesn't’ fall into one of these categories save your film sorry, Pixels.." |
Since 1990 Celebrity Photographer John
Mathew Smith has photographed more than
1,000 of the most celebrated people of our time,
specializing in close and detailed portraiture.
During the past ten years, several of his photos
have garnered worldwide attention: Mikhail and
Raisa who captured the world's heart in their quest
for peace and JFK Jr and Carolyn happily kissing.
Sadly, it took a tragedy to give John his most
well-known image--that of Princess Diana on what
would be her last trip to America. This photograph
that portrayed a sweet girl-next-door quality graced
the cover of the best-selling issue in the
seventy-year history of U. S. News & World Report.
With over 25,000 photos in his archive, John's
celebrity stock photo agency can accommodate
your publication needs. Also, they may be leased
for Internet use. You can contact him regarding
such purchases:
johnmathewsmith@yahoo.com
Mathew Smith has photographed more than
1,000 of the most celebrated people of our time,
specializing in close and detailed portraiture.
During the past ten years, several of his photos
have garnered worldwide attention: Mikhail and
Raisa who captured the world's heart in their quest
for peace and JFK Jr and Carolyn happily kissing.
Sadly, it took a tragedy to give John his most
well-known image--that of Princess Diana on what
would be her last trip to America. This photograph
that portrayed a sweet girl-next-door quality graced
the cover of the best-selling issue in the
seventy-year history of U. S. News & World Report.
With over 25,000 photos in his archive, John's
celebrity stock photo agency can accommodate
your publication needs. Also, they may be leased
for Internet use. You can contact him regarding
such purchases:
johnmathewsmith@yahoo.com
Q. How did your love of Photography begin?
JMS I have always loved current events and people in
the news fascinated me. Along with that...I realize as I
have grown older, the fragility of Life and the
importance of keeping a record of those who have lived
before us...So I guess Photography was the perfect
outlet
for me in that sense.
Q. Who are the great Photographers that have
inspired you?
JMS. I have been greatly Inspired by Alfred
Eisenstadt. He was one of the first of 4 "LIFE"
photographers to begin the magazine. He
photographed People...
famous or not but people. That is inspirational...the
story of man.
He is famous for his photograph of the sailor kissing
the nurse in Times Square on V J day. He saw the
celebration of that day, and wanted to capture it in a
simple and profound way. He didn’t mind telling us that
the truth of that photo was that, he followed many
sailors that afternoon thru times square...kissing many
young ladies along the way...He was able later that
evening to go thru those photographs and select the
very one that had that little bit extra in his editorial eye
to show what he intended the world to see.
That was a very important lesson...Great
photographers don simply take a picture and it’s a
great one because they are a pro. They work hard to
choose from many and have an Idea ahead of time
about where they want to take a project.
Another lesson from Eisenstadt, is simple Imagery says
much more than very elaborate settings, and studios
can never really do. The eye sees straight lines and
curves but too much information most often detracts
from the finished piece.
Q. Do you consider yourself a photographer, a
historian or a photo journalist?
JMS. Well not a photojournalist...
I always said that I didn’t want my photos to tell a story,
since 95 percent of all the photos I have ever taken
have been portraits. I feel the people I have
photographed have already told their story...in
whatever field they have made their contribution.
My job was to get as lovely or Spontaneous picture of
them as I possibly could.
I do think of myself as a Historian and I have a rule
Whatever you would like to photograph should be one
of two things.. Alive or Rare If it doesn't’ fall into one of
these categories save your film sorry, Pixels. We
photograph people to remember them...as one day
famous or not, they will no longer exist. An example of
something not to photograph a mountain never goes
away not rare, to further this a bit...you really wouldn't
take a photo of a forest of trees there is no individuality
to see. However a certain tree may have just the right
lines and curves and tilt to be especially memorable
JMS I have always loved current events and people in
the news fascinated me. Along with that...I realize as I
have grown older, the fragility of Life and the
importance of keeping a record of those who have lived
before us...So I guess Photography was the perfect
outlet
for me in that sense.
Q. Who are the great Photographers that have
inspired you?
JMS. I have been greatly Inspired by Alfred
Eisenstadt. He was one of the first of 4 "LIFE"
photographers to begin the magazine. He
photographed People...
famous or not but people. That is inspirational...the
story of man.
He is famous for his photograph of the sailor kissing
the nurse in Times Square on V J day. He saw the
celebration of that day, and wanted to capture it in a
simple and profound way. He didn’t mind telling us that
the truth of that photo was that, he followed many
sailors that afternoon thru times square...kissing many
young ladies along the way...He was able later that
evening to go thru those photographs and select the
very one that had that little bit extra in his editorial eye
to show what he intended the world to see.
That was a very important lesson...Great
photographers don simply take a picture and it’s a
great one because they are a pro. They work hard to
choose from many and have an Idea ahead of time
about where they want to take a project.
Another lesson from Eisenstadt, is simple Imagery says
much more than very elaborate settings, and studios
can never really do. The eye sees straight lines and
curves but too much information most often detracts
from the finished piece.
Q. Do you consider yourself a photographer, a
historian or a photo journalist?
JMS. Well not a photojournalist...
I always said that I didn’t want my photos to tell a story,
since 95 percent of all the photos I have ever taken
have been portraits. I feel the people I have
photographed have already told their story...in
whatever field they have made their contribution.
My job was to get as lovely or Spontaneous picture of
them as I possibly could.
I do think of myself as a Historian and I have a rule
Whatever you would like to photograph should be one
of two things.. Alive or Rare If it doesn't’ fall into one of
these categories save your film sorry, Pixels. We
photograph people to remember them...as one day
famous or not, they will no longer exist. An example of
something not to photograph a mountain never goes
away not rare, to further this a bit...you really wouldn't
take a photo of a forest of trees there is no individuality
to see. However a certain tree may have just the right
lines and curves and tilt to be especially memorable
"Great photographers don simply take a picture and it’s a great one because they are a pro. They work hard to choose from many and have an Idea ahead of time about where they want to take a project." |
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