APA New York Presents Sam Abell: The Poetic Photographic Essay

Sam Abell’s renowned career as a documentary photographer has been devoted to distilling the poetic image. In a fascinating frame-by-frame presentation, Abell deconstructs both his well-known and recent images—all with the idea of examining the idea that there is a clear ‘way’ of making finer photographs. In addition, he shows that when a small number of such images are gathered into concise essays, it creates a powerful and meaningful way to present one’s work in an age of image over-saturation.

In this illuminating one-hour presentation, Sam shows how both the poetic image and the deeply distilled essay result from high intent, clear vision, and refined editing—elements available to every aspiring photographer.

Bio: Sam Abell:

I learned photography from my father, a teacher, at our home in Sylvania, Ohio.  After graduating from the University of Kentucky, I worked for National Geographic as a contract and staff photographer for thirty-three years. In 1990, my work was the subject of a one-person exhibition and monograph titled Stay This Moment at the International Center of Photography in New York City.  Since then, I have published four additional collections of work: Seeing Gardens; Sam Abell: The Photographic Life; The Life of a Photograph and Sam Abell Library.  In addition, I maintain a career as a writer, teacher, and lecturer on photography.  *Headshot Tintype by Kari Wehrs.