Learning from Photographers

What I’ve learned about photography and life from award-winning photographer Kurt Weston

In 2005, I came across an award-winning photograph posted online. It was called “The Last Light” and featured a man with a drawn face and ghostly eyes. He was sitting in a chair with his back to a tall window. He appeared as if at a crossroads, about to follow a path unfolding in front of him, beyond the visual sphere of the photograph.

The man’s eyes haunted me for weeks and months to follow. His story was a mystery to me.

I browsed through the website where the award-winning photograph was posted. A few clicks later I found out that “The Last Light” was the artwork of a visual artist and award-winning photographer called Kurt Weston. [Read more in Journeys Through Darkness: A Biography]

Later that year, I had the chance to interview Weston for the first time for A&U Magazine–here’s a reprint of my article, Warrior Within, published in the November 2005 issue of A&U Magazine–America’s AIDS Magazine. Also, read about his fashion photography work in Metamorphoses, also published in A&U.

Most recently, I’ve got to interview Kurt Weston again for the April/May issue of Out IN Jersey Magazine. In Portraits Through Time he talks about surviving two pandemics, as well as about his photography. He explains, “when I photograph somebody, I want to make a document, but also to emphasize aspects of their personality—who they are or who they see themselves as being within the context of the greater society, and bring all that out in the photograph.” Kurt Weston also offers advice to inspiring photographers.

I always find it inspiring to chat with award-winning photographer Kurt Weston, about photography, activism, and life in general. I hope you will, too.

As always, thanks for stopping by,

Alina Oswald

UPDATE: Just found out, check out Kurt Weston’s Stylized Fashion Photography show on display at John Wayne Airport.

Many thanks and appreciate it,

AO