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As one might assume, most clients first ask where I received my photographic training. In 1987 I graduated with two distinctions from the London Institute of Cities and Guilds, but not with a photography degree. I had studied yacht and boat building and ship joinery.
My reply to where I actually received my photographic knowledge and training is the I have been extremely blessed. The gentleman pictured below with the camera on a tripod is my father Judson Harmon Webb (November 11, 1910 - March 26, 1999). I sincerely believe I have inherited a large part of my photographic knowledge from my father.
In the 1930's and 1940's Dad studied photography on his own and was an avid photographer.
During World War II on an island in the South Pacific called Guadelcanal, the American servicemen were not
allowed to own cameras. Nevertheless, my father still wanted one. He located a
Marine who had one but would not sell it. He would only trade it for a quart of state-side
whiskey. Dad scrounged around all over the island until he finally found one. He got
his camera. Even more unique was that his tentmate was the official battallion photographer who
kept Dad with a constant supply of film and the facilities where he could develop it. Among the
priceless treasures I now own are some of the negatives and prints my father shot in World War II.
Around 1950, Dad bought what was then, and still is today, the world's best medium format camera, a Rolliflex, which he was using in the photograph shown. Incredibly, my mother took the picture with an Argus C3 which Dad had bought for her.
Before I was born and during my early childhood years in Akron, Dad had a darkroom in the basement where he developed and printed hundreds of pictures. My entire life growing up I was surrounded with the most beautiful and spectacular black and white prints which my father had taken in the 1950's, 1960's. He began to include color photography in the 1970's and 1980's.
It was not until later around my junior high and high school days that I began to study these prints more closely. The back of several of these large prints were completely covered with stickers. Dad would explain that the stickers were for galleries all over the country where the print was exhibited. On a large percentage of these prints was another sticker which said 1st, 2nd or 3rd Place. These represented awards that he had received for his work. In addition, I have two trophies of Dad's from 1949 and 1951 which are "Picture of the Year Award".
The
gentleman pictured to the left is my uncle, William C. Baughman (1921 - 1994). Uncle Bill was one
of the most fascinating men I have ever had the distinct honor of knowing. He was an absolute
walking encyclopedia of photographic knowledge. If you pick up a National Geographic magazine
from the early and mid-1950's you will see my uncle's name listed as Pictorial Editor. When
Uncle Bill was with National Geographic he developed a friendship with Ansel Adams when Ansel
applied for a job with National Geographic. Another of my most priceless treasures is a portrait
Aunt Helen gave to me that Uncle Bill took of his friend Alfred Eisenstadt. It was through Uncle Bill
and his friends that I had met through the Cleveland Photographic Society that were very instrumental in
making my decision of a career change from building yachts to professional photography.
Around 1991 Uncle Bill took me to a used camera store and showed me what was one of the world's best medium format cameras. I bought it, which eventually turned out to be the creation of Infinity Studio. Uncle Bill and Aunt Helen had one of the most beautiful homes in Cleveland Heights full of his most spectacular photographs and their enormous library of books. He would loan me books and say "Study these and learn as much as you can." I shot hundreds of photographs of everything I could. Almost every single photograph I took Uncle Bill very much enjoyed doing what he did the best, sitting at his kitchen table critiquing my work.
I did not study photography at school or college. I have had the distinct honor and privilage of receiving guidance and training from one of the world's best photographers. All the rules of balance and composition, exposure and depth of field I learned from Uncle Bill's kitchen table. In addition, he would go out on shoots with me which proved to be invaluable. I know without a doubt that my company would not be anything near as good as it is today if it had not been for Uncle Bill and the values and skills my mother and father instilled in me. I started my company in 1992, and since then it has steadily grown each year.
I was first published in 1993. The 1994 Cleveland Magazine City Guide had five or six of my photographs featured. In 1996, I made my first National Magazine Cover for "Retail Store Image" magazine shortly after another National Cover featured on this site. Since then my images have been published nationaly around 20-25 times including 4 or 5 books now. One of which is the Cover of "Spectacular Homes From Ohio and Pa." 2007.
My images have received around 30-40 AIA, ASID and IIDA Awards and could not have been more pleased when they received the 2005 United States Air Force Design Award for a project shot at WPAFB which was actually the 3rd Air Force Design Award they have won in the past 12 years.
3 years ago a 16' wide Mural was installed in the Cuyahoga County Courthouse of one of my images which received The 2002 General Electric Edison Award and 2 International Awards bestowed by the North American Lighting Engineering Society in their International Lighting Design Competition. This same year another image of mine was installed on the entire wall of the 19th floor Lobby Key Tower Building of another International Lighting Award project.
Lastly I was 1 of the 3 photographers the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame chose to License shortyly after they opened.
Thank you very much for visiting my Web-portfolio. Information on contacting us here at Infinity Studio can be found by clicking on the "Contact" button below.