Give The Little Guy A Chance

Garage, Milwaukee WI © jwl (Olympus 35RC)

For as long as I have been making photographs, I have had an affection for the small cameras. Even though the majority of my work is made in Medium Format, I love to play with pocket sized 35mm cameras. There is something so very personal and truthful about the process of looking at the world with a small camera.

The machine itself is a wonderful tool. To have the possibility of creating a lasting and memorable image with something so small is an addictive kind of power. Oddly, the even more versatile and somewhat better resolution of an iphone camera doesn't resonate as much power for me. Not that I don't use them, there's just a different feeling I get with the old film version.

Shadow, Milwaukee, WI © jwl (Olympus 35RC)

Maybe it has something to do with learning with film when I was young, or enjoying a more tactile ideal with the camera settings and all that... Who knows why I feel different with one camera over another? At the end of the day, it's the photograph that truly matters. 

Hard Ten Days, Knoxville, TN © jwl (Olympus XA)

Since I generally have one or two of these cameras loaded around the studio for me to just grab and go whenever I feel like working, it can take a while for me to use up a roll of film. Granted, lately it has gone faster since I haven't been using the Digital much, but you understand. One or Two negatives, every once in a while can take some time.

These three photographs were made years apart, with two cameras on the same roll of film (I took it out and used it again later). They are examples of Democratically looking at whatever strikes me while on a walk from somewhere to somewhere else.

More (Milwaukee) Friends I Miss

Stan Stryder & Christian Mistreater , Toledo OH 2002 © jwl

These are a couple more of the images I dug up for the recent re-release of The Mistreaters records.

The above photo is in the downtime of a MKE-NYC tour in Toledo OH. The man on the left is none other than Stan Stryder, my all time favorite co-pilot on the road. Together Stan and I have traveled over 10,000 miles together. It's been a long time, but I would love to go on a trip with him again soon.

On the right is Christian, drummer-supreme for the 'Treaters. I can't say enough good things about that boy. All around good-dude.

Below we have a fun shot from Sleazefest 2002 in NC.

Kevin & Little Rock, Sleazefest, Chapel Hill NC 2002 © jwl

How I came to be @ Sleazefest is kinda round about, but meaningful now. I was touring with and photographing NEW BRUTALISM and decided to head to Chapel Hill to see The Mistreaters rather than go to Atlanta. When I arrived there, I recognized Little Rock (right) sitting in his truck reading the paper. When I asked him if the Mistreaters were around yet, Little Rock (who had never met me) was very polite and decided to get out and hang with us.

Long story Short, we proceded to have one hell of a story filled evening of music, fried chicken and cage girls. In fact, we don't really remember what is happening in this photo, all we know is that Kevin Mistreater loves Little Rock.

Little Rock introduced me to Stan when we got back to Milwaukee and the two of them have been true blue best friends of mine ever since.

Old Work | Old Friends

Christian, Detroit, MI © jwl

I was asked by The Mistreaters to provide some images for their upcoming re-release of their records. Happily, I went through some old files and pulled out some live gems. I toured with the band across the country a couple of times and followed them around Milwaukee and elsewhere, so I have plenty of negative sheets with their name on them.

What I found to be the best part of this project was finding the off stage portraits that I had made along the way. This photo of Christian has always been one of my favorite shots, not to mention I remember the moment very well.

I have a lot of stories that include Christian's name and I won't soon forget the good times we had.

For the next few posts, I am going to bring out more of these tour portraits to share with everyone.

Working On Commission

I am proud to say that my work has been commissioned to be on display in a new restaurant in Chicago. The fine people of Northdown Cafe selected 13 images from my vaults to have grace their soon to be open walls.


I have been in the WAR ROOM for the last week or so prepping files, printing and matting the a very nice selection of photographs. The rumor is that there will be some custom made barn wood frames to hold these babies to the wall.

Needless to say, I am very pleased to have been chosen for the task of bringing visual pleasure to what I am sure will be a room of culinary delights.

Walking With Purpose

Untitled, Milwaukee 2010 © jwl

On Sunday evening I walked to work. Usually that sounds normal, but in my case it was 5 miles from one side of Milwaukee to the other. On the way I made a few photos. Much of my thought process went back into my Walking mode from last year. Which only makes sense.

I saw some things I wouldn't have noticed otherwise as well as found some new fodder for my Entropy project. All in all it was nice to have the time to myself. Moving toward a goal, but with a casual and thoughtful pace.

Tree Through Fence, Milwaukee 2010 © jwl