To call Francis Ford a fixture of the Milwaukee photo-culture would be a serious understatement. Frank, a Milwaukee native, has been photographing for nearly 40 years, always creating unique portraits in a style all his own. Having (in my mind) made a mark with his skillful large-format portraits, Frank has very, very successfully made the transition to digital capture.
Frank currently has a show on display at Milwaukee’s Cedar Gallery –what he calls “The Lifeboat Show.” I was lucky enough to meet with Frank recently, and to make his portrait at the gallery.
A couple quotes from our morning’s conversation…
+(re: Photoshop)..it can get you a date..(really) Photoshop can do anything.”
+(re: the digital transition)…”a friend described it like this…digital technology is the train and it’s pulling away from you at the station. You can chase the train, maybe almost keep pace with it, but you’re never gonna fully get on it.”
+(re: darkroom printing)…”a (photo-)print in a (darkroom)tray is still a romantic thing. Computers are not a romantic thing, in any way, shape or form.”
Simply put, Frank rocks.
UPDATE: FEB 20, 2010:
Frank has had a recent health set-back, sending him to the hospital for a heart operation. He’s out of the hospital now and recovering but is gonna be out of comission for a bit. To help Frank out, a benefit is being held in his honor on the afternoon of March 6, 2010, in the Walker’s Point neighborhood of Milwaukee. See all the info here!
