Michael Weschler, Photographer- New York

Pastry Chef, Maarten Steenman, of La Tulipe Desserts

2011-06-01T17:56:00.011-04:00

Maarten Steenman is a second-generation Dutch-born pastry chef with extensive experience as an apprentice at the finest patisseries in Europe, (Holland, France, Belgium and Norway, to be precise). His modest-sized pastry shop, La Tulipe Desserts, is located in Westchester, and has many loyal celebrity customers, such as Martha Stewart, the Clintons, and Vanessa Williams, to name a few. Even in New York City, it is unlikely that you will find pastries that are on this level of quality and taste. Maarten's gourmet food creations are simply unparalleled, outside of Paris. This is why I've long been a customer, an admirer, and eventually a friend.
You see, Maarten is quite a remarkable person, in that he is obviously a tenacious perfectionist. Yet, upon first meeting, something not so obvious, almost went unnoticed. Unlike most of us, he was not born with all ten fingers, but has only eight. For some, this might seem to be a disability, but Maarten has never seen it that way. In fact, it is barely an obstacle for him.
Maarten began his business in Bedford, NY with only a few hundred dollars, back in the 90's. Since that humble beginning, he and his wife Frances have been living the American Dream. They've always served their community the best quality, artisanal, artistic creations, using mostly organic ingredients, from purveyors with the highest standards.
While I urge you to taste anything that Maarten creates, remember that the man behind the art, has put his heart and soul into your dessert. As each sweet bite disappears, you will have enjoyed eating your most memorable treat, but behind that pastry case, there is an artist still creating. This is where you may too find me, behind my camera, creating moments, exploring timelessness.
We've recently been discussing making a book together, so stay tuned...

Gulf Islands Nat'l Seashore- Perdido Key, FL

2010-07-03T09:21:00.004-04:00

This is a snapshot from my iPhone, "just the tip of the iceberg", near the tip of Perdido Key, Gulf Islands National Seashore. This is a once pristine, pure white sand National Park, and it is slowly being destroyed by our addiction to oil. It's the home and nesting ground to Herons, Plovers, Pelicans, Sea Turtles, Black Skimmers, etc... Tragically, their numbers have been greatly reduced, and many species, already endangered, like the especially cute Ridley's Sea Turtle, will be lucky if they can adapt quickly enough to the dramatically changed air, water, and landscape. What will happen if they disappear? Maybe the Ghost Crab will too? Nobody knows for sure, but we do know that slight changes in the environment can cause dramatic changes for all species.
Humans will be no exception to the struggle for survival in the rapidly deteriorating Eco-system. The food chain in the Gulf of Mexico may be headed for collapse. Once this happens, there's no telling if it will ever be the same.
As you look at old postcards and historical footage of these 99% white quartz beaches, you will have a visual control for the dramatic onslaught of black oil and green dispersant, that has changed everything in the Gulf.
It is what we do not see, that has me perplexed, since we know that the dispersant is helping to break down the oil and cause it to sink from the surface of the water. Why are we filling the ocean floor with black tar, and what will be the solutions to these new problems?
Moreover, if the bottom of the Gulf is normally white sand, but is quickly converting to black tar, the temperature will, therefore, continue to rise. More of this will be coming soon, as a Physicist friend of mine, Brian Hoover, Ph.D., will be discussing his theory soon...

Gulf Coast Reportage

2010-06-30T02:57:00.003-04:00

Scientist, Brian Hoover, surveys the catastrophic oil slick along Gulf Islands National Seashore, Pensacola, FL.

With each passing day, the devastation appears to be worse and worse. First, there are a few small tar balls, and then larger patties of oil. In many areas, once pristine, toxic waves of oil continually accumulate into pools of sticky crude on the white sand. Slowly, the beaches in this beautiful refuge for wildlife, are getting polluted beyond any magnitude of environmental devastation ever witnessed. This one-of-a-kind National Park is home to nesting grounds for many bird species, such as the Plover, and this delicate eco-system is sure to be affected for decades.
Just days before the Fourth of July, there are very few signs of people, other than the small groups of workers and officials. The tourists have reluctantly gone elsewhere, but the crews work day and night, in futility. With primitive tools, such as shovels and plastic bags, the cleanup effort seems to be more of a public relations spectacle. If the gusher can't be stopped, how long will the workers need to be here "cleaning" our beaches? Just because you shovel away a pool of tar, what about the chemicals that have leached into the sand? There is Benzene, among other highly toxic chemicals in this raw crude. Since these are known carcinogens, what will happen to the creatures that live under the sand in the tidal zone? Where is all of the seaweed that is normally here? What is happening under this murky water, where we cannot see?
Moreover, what will happen to the people if and when they return? Is the air safe to breathe? The raw crude contains many other volatile organic compounds, and we normally only come in close contact with refined motor oil and fuel, but this is something else, from miles beneath the ocean floor. Do we even have data on this substance, which has been mixed with dispersants? Maybe we should we all be wearing respirators, as the oily smell fills the air, and it continues to spread? What will going to the beach along the Gulf Coast be like from now on? Most of what we have seen has been devastating to wildlife in LA & MS, but now the slick has moved into areas that have greater populations of beach-goers in FL. The storm that was supposed to help disperse the oil out at sea, has clearly exacerbated the spread of oil onto more and more of our once heavily populated beaches, and has now been escalated to Hurricane Alex.
It's very curious that I've seen no other reporters or journalists out here this week. It's as though they felt that the story was covered, and there was nothing else to see. On the contrary, this may just be the beginning of something none of us were prepared for. Our oil companies perceive spills as a cost of doing business, but the impact on our well-being as a species may be in question now. Was this really unforeseen, while too many unnecessary risks were taken? The costs will weigh heavily on all of us.

Full Moon Fire Ceremony, Laguna Beach

2010-06-17T13:56:00.006-04:00

Full Moon Fire Ceremony With Q'uero Shaman, Laguna Beach

People have always gathered by the edge of the water, to sit in awe of the sublime forces of Nature. Now is no different, except that some are trying to prevent others from witnessing the catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico. In preparation to shine more light on this region, my respected team of journalists, and a scientist, are developing stories of integrity, that bring voices and faces out of the darkness...

LAKOTA SIOUX PRAYER

Grandfather Great Spirit
All Over The World,
The Faces Of Living Ones
Are Alike.
With Tenderness,
They Have Come
Up Out Of The Ground.
Look Upon Your Children
That They May Face The Winds
And Walk The Good Road
To The Day Of Quiet.
Grandfather Great Spirit
Fill Us With The Light.
Give Us the Strength
To Understand
And the Eyes To See.
Teach Us To Walk The Soft Earth
As Relatives....
To All That Live.

If you are interested in helping our oil disaster reportage team:
http://www.edivvy.com/event/135A7B4

Dwell, "Houses We Love" Finalist

2010-05-26T18:38:00.006-04:00

This home I shot in Los Angeles is among 20 international finalists
for the Dwell magazine, "Houses We Love" competition.
It was also featured in a story I photographed for The New York Times, as well.
It's an honor to work on compelling stories like this and be in the company of immense talent.
Please vote for the "Thompson" house by Assembledge+ here:
http://www.dwell.com/houses-we-love/89549229.html
Although it's obvious that I hope it wins the award, projects like this one push me and challenge me to capture the essence of a place along with the family's lifestyle and taste. Spending time with design, and through experience, one immediately recognizes whether or not something "works". Often times, contemporary designs can be quite minimalist and cold, and a modernist aesthetic usually offers few comforts. That can be an intimidating scenario, such as how people sometimes feel in a gallery. This home, however, just feels balanced, from the moment you see it, and despite all the huge expanses of glass and steel, it manages to be very practical and comfortable, by separating public and private areas quite well. The architect, David Thompson, consciously chose eco-friendly and people-friendly materials, so that from the moment you enter this environment, you feel at one with your surroundings, and in proportion with the space.

Outtake With Kenny White at Home

2010-05-12T18:12:00.006-04:00

Fortunately enough, I'm often asked into other people's homes, and I never want to overstay my welcome. Since it's an honor to catch a glimpse into someone's personal space, I cherish the opportunity to capture a moment, otherwise unseen. This particular home was like nothing I've ever experienced in the city before, and though it felt more like the Catskills, this was no vacation. Down in the Village, right next to the oldest wooden structure in New York City, sits this legendary place. Here is Kenny White at home, working through some new material, during my recent assignment for The New York Times.
For the full story...
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/garden/06kenny.html?pagewanted=1&ref=garden

Tim Dundon, the Compost Wizard

2010-04-16T18:14:00.006-04:00

Sometimes still photography doesn't seem like enough to tell the whole story. I'm shooting footage at 24p with a real garden gnome, and this story is unfolding as part of a feature documentary film I'm directing about people living consciously in a society that often makes something simple, seem radical...

Best of 2009

2010-01-06T15:12:00.004-05:00

My Photographs Made Top 10 Most Popular Web Galleries on Los Angeles Times Best of 2009

Sometimes, you have to know when to ditch the camera.
While my architect friend, David Thompson of Assembledge, was getting the fireplace prepared for the living room shot, his arm actually caught fire, apparently from gas vapors. Fortunately enough, while chasing after my friend, he was able to quickly enough douse himself in the nearby infinity pool, and get rushed over to Cedars Sinai Hospital. Thankfully, he's completely healed, and we didn't burn his beautifully designed home down.
Usually, in what I do, it's not necessary to risk lives for a great photograph. I remember almost kicking over the camera, and rushing over to tackle my friend & stop the fire. He was so traumatized that he wasn't listening to my yells, "Get down, get down!"
This is what is so intimidating to me about "hard news" stories, or war photography. Your job is to keep shooting, no matter what. Check out this epic documentary sometime, "War Photographer", about James Nachtwey.
Moreover, I'm happy to not have a picture of my friend engulfed in flames. This image, embedded only in my mind, haunts me to this day, and I've had several restless nights seeing it, again and again.
There's always a thin line between capturing the moment, and being present, in the moment. As photographers, we can't always be looking through the window, watching life.
Sometimes, we have to crash through it.

http://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-sunsethouse-pictures,3,3778651.photogallery?index=la-hm-sunsethousea

Richard Gere at The Bedford Post Inn

2009-12-09T14:19:00.003-05:00

This is another outtake from my portrait session with the legendary actor, Richard Gere.
He loves photography and art & was encouraging me to push things. It's impressive that he is so grounded, and in touch with being in the moment.
In this collaborative environment, I feel that I was able to capture the essence of this great man & find many moments that day, which otherwise, may have eluded me. Between the formal sessions that ended up in Vogue, Esquire, etc..., there was this Renaissance painting quality of light streaming in through a window, while we were taking a break. It was serendipitous that I still had a camera on me, and he allowed me to spontaneously create something a little different.
Being intuitive to my surroundings and observing the fleeting moments is one thing, but capturing them by creating something memorable is the real reward. Being aware is only half the challenge. Producing something tangible, out of nothing, requires tenacity.
Once a dilapidated and abandoned farmhouse, this property is now a very special place, because of creative vision. I'm grateful to have captured some of the essence of its allure.

Chef Brian Lewis & Richard Gere at The Bedford Post Inn

2009-12-07T18:30:00.003-05:00

It was a thrill to photograph these very talented gentleman and catch them both in an unguarded moment. Both passionate & sincere about their love of food, they regularly meet to discuss incredible ideas.
Congratulations to Chef Brian Lewis for his Best New Restaurant Award in Esquire.
http://www.esquire.com/features/food-drink/best-new-restaurants-2009/bedford-post-inn

Alexis Wolfer of The Beauty Bean at Wonderland, NYC

2009-12-04T13:51:00.006-05:00

Mirrors can be intimidating, and the camera allows us to look at our reflections each time we make a photograph. As we look closer at life, we find that beauty is abundant. As a photographer, it's about finding that beauty and bringing it to light. Often, not everyone will see what is hidden beneath the surface, and as imagemakers, we are destined to uncover our vision, and release it to the world.

The Big Hair Girls' Big Debut...

2009-11-12T19:50:00.004-05:00

This was shot in my studio in Tribeca one day, in between our publicity shots for this new band, The Big Hair Girls.
We had a lot of fun, getting a variety of funky looks, but this was an unrehearsed moment that I captured in between takes. It turns out that it won an Honorable Mention in the 2009 International Photo Awards.

"Bring Your Own Wine", by Maclovia

2009-07-31T12:44:00.003-04:00

Here's my portrait of Maclovia for her album.
Also, check out the "Bring Your Own Wine" video I directed for her:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9enVnCO3aM

Burning Down the House

2008-05-27T14:00:00.002-04:00

Just couldn't get that Talking Heads song out of my mind. Snapped with my iPhone- Firewood for sale off Route 35, Yorktown. By the way, do disposable cameras always make disposable pictures?

Moonrise Over Lake Katonah

2008-05-27T13:48:00.002-04:00

Just after a hard rain, the mist and the moon rise over the lake...

(snapped with my iPhone- thinking of "Angel" Ansel Adams)

Self-Portrait Over Chesepeake Bay

2008-05-27T13:36:00.003-04:00

While flying over D.C., I can't help but thinking, "Yer doin' a heckuva job!"

Moonrise Over Kingfisher and Sunset

2008-05-27T13:31:00.002-04:00

"Angel" Ansel Adams would be proud of my iPhone snapshot...

Wild Indian Dance, New Orleans

2008-05-09T17:10:00.003-04:00

Whenever someone asks me to "take a picture", I do it, and yet most of the time it's a complete stranger who doesn't know I'm a professional. It's about sharing. Also, I like to think that I make pictures, because I'm creating something, not taking away.

My Nephew, Brice

2008-04-05T16:32:00.000-04:00

What's the meaning of a picture u can't share? Part of Photography's history has been to be more and more accessible to the viewer. You may have made a great photograph, but how meaningful is it if no one sees it?

Buddha in Spring

2008-03-09T18:05:00.002-04:00

Spring has sprung! I'm moved by all the creatures beginning to stir from their long Winter rest...

Buddha in Winter...

2008-02-24T15:43:00.000-05:00

from the iphone, everything is blissful...