When I first started out in photography, I was a complete black and white photo snob. I really didn't want anything to do with color. I loved the richness of black and white and being able to manipulate my own images in the darkroom. I really liked working with people, too.
Paris Rue, 1985
Fast forward to my work as a digital artist in Los Angeles where I really learned to appreciate color. Working to restore old films for Blu-Ray transfers was hard work. I spent hours in the chair scanning for color variations, damage to the cells, re-layering...all on a studio's very tight delivery schedule. I worked on many of my favorite films such as the Blu-Ray and the theatrical re-releases of Disney’s Snow White, Pinnochio, Dumbo, Alice in Wonderland, Fantasia 2000 and Cinderella. Other projects included Blu-Ray restorations of Star Wars: Episode 1, Aliens, Rashomon, The Robe, Terminator and True Lies, plus the theatrical releases of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Avatar and Transformers: Dark of the Moon. I think the most rewarding part of the work was restoring the original Disney reels. They were in various stages of degradation and our team was able to save them for future generations.
Versaille Ceiling, 1985
While at college at the Fashion Institute, I really enjoyed photographing many of my fellow students. We were all in the same darkroom so it was fun to check out each others work. Later, when I moved to California, I shot photos of various up and coming bands for club performances. All photos were shot on film and unfortunately, I don't have the notes for the camera settings.
I would say the early days were some of the best moments of being a photographer because it was film, I had to be precise and there was that joy of seeing a print develop...that feeling of yeah, I got it!