| Thomas Finkenstadt |
As I consider myself an artist, my formal education served more as a point of inspiration or revelation of my
own abilities and my need to explore them than an academic rite of passage. I was fortunate in attending
Cypress College in Cypress, California, where I majored in Photography. I say that I was fortunate in my
educational opportunity since I was privileged to work with professors, who were world-class instructors and
accomplished Photographic artists and technicians in their own rights. They served as more than college
professors; more like mentors or master craftsmen to whom I voluntarily apprenticed myself. Collectively,
they were the primary influence in firing my passion for Photography and in teaching me how to mold my
eagerness and excitement into skill and artistry. I owe what capabilities I have achieved in the art form of
Photography to my mentors: David F. Drake, graduate of the Art Center, John Wycoff, an accomplished
commercial and advertising photographer and Marshal LaCour, author of Photo Technologies, a reference
work in the field quoted in various encyclopedias and formal Photography teaching texts. My education at
Cypress was not restricted to the formal classes. As a student, I befriended a peer, John Woods, a student of
art a year ahead of me at Cypress. Through John’s friendship I had opportunity to meet and gain great insight
from such notable artists as Ansel Adams and Brett Weston.
On visits to Carmel, California, Brett often extended his hospitality in allowing me to be a guest in his home.
These visits often involved field trips for shoots on Point Lobos. Again, as with my professors, I found the
greatest opportunity for education and development of my own Photographic style in observing the artistic
endeavors of those whom I recognized and respected as more accomplished than myself.
Since College, I have continued to learn by doing and by watching, listening and questioning other
Photographic artists. My Photographic style has evolved into one of romantic realism ¾ portraying the sights
of the world, but through my perspective as someone who continues to be awestruck by the beauty, diversity
and complexity of the world in which we live. I focus on the environment not the inhabitants. We are all
transient elements on the landscape. The world continues on, whether we occupy it or not. I have developed
my style and portfolio through extensive creative work in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Louisiana and
Texas.
I continue to aggressively seek to grow as an artist and observing interpreter of the world. After many years
of tutelage, I am beginning to seek the fruits of my labors and those of my very patient mentors.
own abilities and my need to explore them than an academic rite of passage. I was fortunate in attending
Cypress College in Cypress, California, where I majored in Photography. I say that I was fortunate in my
educational opportunity since I was privileged to work with professors, who were world-class instructors and
accomplished Photographic artists and technicians in their own rights. They served as more than college
professors; more like mentors or master craftsmen to whom I voluntarily apprenticed myself. Collectively,
they were the primary influence in firing my passion for Photography and in teaching me how to mold my
eagerness and excitement into skill and artistry. I owe what capabilities I have achieved in the art form of
Photography to my mentors: David F. Drake, graduate of the Art Center, John Wycoff, an accomplished
commercial and advertising photographer and Marshal LaCour, author of Photo Technologies, a reference
work in the field quoted in various encyclopedias and formal Photography teaching texts. My education at
Cypress was not restricted to the formal classes. As a student, I befriended a peer, John Woods, a student of
art a year ahead of me at Cypress. Through John’s friendship I had opportunity to meet and gain great insight
from such notable artists as Ansel Adams and Brett Weston.
On visits to Carmel, California, Brett often extended his hospitality in allowing me to be a guest in his home.
These visits often involved field trips for shoots on Point Lobos. Again, as with my professors, I found the
greatest opportunity for education and development of my own Photographic style in observing the artistic
endeavors of those whom I recognized and respected as more accomplished than myself.
Since College, I have continued to learn by doing and by watching, listening and questioning other
Photographic artists. My Photographic style has evolved into one of romantic realism ¾ portraying the sights
of the world, but through my perspective as someone who continues to be awestruck by the beauty, diversity
and complexity of the world in which we live. I focus on the environment not the inhabitants. We are all
transient elements on the landscape. The world continues on, whether we occupy it or not. I have developed
my style and portfolio through extensive creative work in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Louisiana and
Texas.
I continue to aggressively seek to grow as an artist and observing interpreter of the world. After many years
of tutelage, I am beginning to seek the fruits of my labors and those of my very patient mentors.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back |
