Hank Schneider     Still Life Photography and Woodcraft

Hank Schneider writes: “When I first opened my photographic studio in New York City, many years ago,  a photographer friend said, ‘Put your ideas into large format -- people who work in large format are always busy.’ I took his advice and learned to love working with a camera that looks like a throwback to the 19th century, complete with black cloth under which the photographer looks at the upside-down image. The 8" by 10" slides that result, with their incredible sharpness, clarity and wealth of detail, are indeed always in demand.

"As using the large format is expensive and time-consuming, I learned to be very selective as to what I photograph.  The creative impulse led me to answer questions such as, ‘What exactly happens when an egg falls into a pile of flour -- or a marshmallow into a cup of hot chocolate?’ with carefully crafted images.  These photographs reflect my devotion to detail and the many hours of trial and error required to create images that perfectly capture my visions and enable me to share them with others."

 
Butterfly   Green Beetle
   
  Luna Moth  
 
Columbine   Dandelion
   
  Hickory bench  
   
Wooden vase    
     

"Some of the photographs are humorous, such as a hand reaching out to bash a ringing alarm clock.  Others are poignant, such as metal roller skates from the 50's hanging on a wall.  They all tell a story and evoke a reaction from the viewer."


Hank Schneider's art photographs have been shown throughout the northeast, including Public Space in Manhattan, Marywood University, DVAA Gallery, and the Liberty Museum and Art Center, as well as the Catskill Artists Gallery, of which he is a charter member.  His commercial photography is internationally known and award-winning, with accounts such as the Metropolitan Opera, American Express, and many more.  He is a regular contributor to Highlights for Children and has photographed ten craft books for Boyds Mills Press, Highlights' book-publishing arm.  He lives in Narrowsburg.