FOCUS ON
DON SPRINGER
Years ago, when I began taking photography seriously, I discovered Don Springer’s work, and it was a source of inspiration.
The coherence of his work and his approach to photography continue to make me reflect on my own photographic philosophy.
Don’s photographs are not only aesthetic creations but also involve a personal interpretation of reality.
They are photographs that speak to you.
Q Don, I’m very happy to be able to share this series of yours, which I personally composed with your help. Your archive is extensive. How many years have you been taking photos? Why did you start?
A Thanks for the interview and attention. Much appreciated.
I’m 75 years old now.
I started when I was 13 years old.
My mother had a drawer in a cabinet that we were not allowed to open as children.
One day, she went out with my younger brother and sister.
I decided that it was time for me to open the drawer.
In the drawer were many photos and negatives.
A Kodak Folding 616 camera with a bellows was in it.
I opened the camera and saw the bellows and thought, magic.
It was there, and when the camera closed, it just vanished.
I put a pencil in the camera and closed it again, because I wanted to see what would happen to the pencil.
It was a quick reality check because there was a hole, and I thought I was in trouble for life.
See, my dad died when I was just seven years old, and he was an avid photographer, for family snapshots.
I quickly realized that the magic was not the camera but in the photos.
To this day, I have never stopped seeing the magic of photos.
Q Your photos have a uniform aesthetic, a body of work with a defined style. How have you managed to achieve such consistency?
A I was drafted into the Army, and I became a Grunt.
(Infantry).
I carried a Leica M4, a 35mm Summicron, and a 50mm Summicron.
I met a photographer from AUSTRALIA, and he went with my squad on missions.
His name was Jock.
He focused my vision on seeing and making the truth as I believe it to be.
Because of that TRUTH, I NEVER PUBLISHED ANY PHOTOS.
The reason is that I didn’t want any soldier’s family member to see what happened.
Many died and were wounded, and I felt that they deserved Peace and Privacy.
After returning home, I started going to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
I was introduced to Ding McNulty, the curator of Prints and Pictures.
Long story short, Diong mentored me in a manner I never knew existed.
I have stayed the course that Jock and Ding pointed out to me.
Q The urban environment is the main setting for your photos. Do you go out in search of something specific, or do you just go with what you find?
A I work in a way that the synergism of life, photography, and I share.
I don’t seek the photos, together with my camera, my eye, heart, and mind, and life, we find each other.
Q In many of your photographs, you work with reflections and juxtapositions. Is this a way of creating your own world or, more specifically, of expressing yourself?
A My work is the TRUTH as I live it, at the moment of exposure.
All of us shooters just make reflections of ourselves at the moment of exposure.
That may be found in many ways.
I go with what life shares with me as time goes by.
My primary subject matter is life on the street.
Q If you had to name some photographers you like and who have inspired you in the past and present, who would they be?
A Andre Kertesz and George Krause would top the bill.
Many other shooters, work is exciting.
Q Can you tell us something about “Inspired Eye”?
A When I was an Admin at M43.com, Olivier Duong recognized my work.
We decided to create the Inspired Eye together.
We offer workshops, a magazine, presets, etc.
We differ in experience and intent but find a way to make the Inspired Eye our own.
Q Do you still go out with your camera in hand after so many years?
A I have made photos all my life and will continue until the end.
I was in an auto accident last March 2024.
I am disabled but recovering.
Olivier pointed out to me that even tho I can’t be on the street, at this time, I have an extensive archive to visit.
So yes, I am still working and will eventually be on the street again.
Q Do you want to add something?
A Thanks for the attention.
I would say to everyone reading, etc, never ever let anyone affect your work.
Just stay true to your Eye, Heart and Mind.
Never surrender to life, I won’t, neither should you.
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