http://www.johnpaulcaponigro.com/lib/q-and-a/index.php
What's the best thing about photography?
Rendering an emotion in two dimensions.
What's the worst thing about photography?
Taking and editing hundreds if not thousands of shots to find just the right ones - the ones the convey meaning, emotion and technical skill.
What's the thing that interests you most about photography?
The relative simplicity of the medium - mostly visual rather than technical.
What's the thing that interests you most about your own photographs?
How I've gone from f64 sharpness to fluidity and motion and emotion.
What's the thing that interests you most about other people's photographs?
Nearly the same place, nearly the same time, totally different images.
Who were your early photographic influences?
Ansel Adams, Ernest Haas.
Who are your photographic influences now?
Doug Beasley, Nevada Wier, John Paul Caponigro, Joel Meyerowitz
Who were your early non-photographic influences?
My dad (a violinist), Picasso, Bach, Monet
Who are your non-photographic influences now?
Artist friends, Arvo Part, pipe organs, religious rituals, all things Celtic, the Tango (music and dance), and still Monet (Water Lillies).
What's the most inspiring work of art you saw recently?
A series of ocean horizon shots appearing in National Geographic magazine. So unlike NG. And a photo spread on Cate Blachett in the NY Times Style Magazine. So unlike ME.
What's the best thing about gear?
Amazing options for turning one's vision into reality.
What's the worst thing about gear?
Too many options, buttons and dials for turning one's vision into reality.
How do you know when an image doesn't work?
Bland, no connection, boring, "next photo please"
How do you know when an image is good?
A quick smile, expectations met
How do you know when an image is great?
I shot that?!?!? A gut feel - several times over - that this is something special, different, worthy.
Do you practice another art form? (If so, which?)
Writing, concertina, keyboards and occasionally the hammered dulcimer.
What benefits do you get from (this/these) other art form/s?
Writing - thoughts; playing music - muscle memory, relaxation, spacing out
What was the most significant visual moment in your life?
An hour or two spent in the remodeled Orangerie in Paris, gazing at Monet's Water Lilies - perfection in art and perfection in interior architecture - visually stunning, yet contemplative, moving. And a great venue for creative photography as well.
Which was the most important image to you that got away?
Recently in Jaipur, India, at the Amber Fort. A young woman, perfect light, split second decisions, and out-of-focus images where they needed to be tac-sharp. Too many buttons and settings. Oh, well, I still remember her and the setting and the light.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Leading photography workshops for adults and children - passing on knowledge and learning from others.
What's the thing you most hope to accomplish?
Inspiring others - whether photographically or in life.
If you had to do it all over again, what would you change?
Given that we are the sum of our experiences, I probably wouldn't change much. Well, maybe discovering sushi and razor clams earlier in life!
If you had another life to live a completely different life, what would you choose to do?
A photography instructor and travel photo group leader; maybe as an Episcopal (married) Jesuit!
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