I have had a desire to create, in the physical world, what I could see and feel deep within my mind for as long as I can remember. I explored that desire professionally through various media over the years including cooking, graphic design and web design. Invariably, I consistently returned to photography time and again. Wanting to understand why I am so drawn to photography I began to ask myself what I wanted to say with my work and why working in this medium was the best avenue to make that statement.
I really think that it is the perceived act of stopping time for just an instant and being able to examine a moment, with all of its complexities and nuances, that drives me forward. The ability to tell just enough of a subject's story to leave the viewer asking questions and wanting to know more is the hallmark of some of the greatest photographers in history and a lofty goal that I seek to attain. I have been influenced by artists from just about every genre under the sun but to limit this discussion to photography I can say that among my greatest defacto mentors you will find Alfred Stieglitz, Margaret Bourke-White, Gordon Parks, Thomas Struth, Arnold Newman, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Garry Winogrand and more recently Vivian Maier.
Michael Napier Photography Dallas,Texas USA michael@napierphotographie.com (214) 843.1781
I am often asked what camera I shoot with and aside from being asked what subjects I shoot this is by far the most commonly asked question of any professional photographer. The answer is always 'It depends'. It's an understandable query because quite often the general impression conveyed by slick marketing campaigns is that the tool used is more important than the hands using it. I want to take just a moment to dispel that myth for the curious readers among you. I shoot Nikon for the majority of my digital work and have also worked frequently with Canon gear and have found them both to be superb performers. Both of the major DSLR manufacturers are, in fact, quite equal. Both Canon and Nikon have certain pros and cons to each camera body and lens that they release. I also regularly shoot with my iPad mini and/or my phone and get some very good and exciting results. I even still shoot with film cameras whenever possible, both professionally and for personal pleasure. Each tool gives a certain unique result so I look to each of them depending on the clients desires, the given situation and quite often to obtain my specific vision for a project.
All of that being stated the following is a current list of the equipment that I use:
Digital Imaging:
Traditional Film Photography:
Michael Napier Photography Dallas,Texas USA michael@napierphotographie.com (214) 843.1781