John Wagner Photographs

Come visit the new website.

2012-01-17T20:02:00.000-08:00

I want to invite everyone to checkout my new website at.... johnwagnerphoto.com

Hope you take time and explore each gallery for the Bonneville work, to the portraits, and much more... enjoy.

Cornered.

2012-01-04T16:34:00.000-08:00

cb200, F100, and Willie.

2011-12-18T17:47:00.000-08:00

Willie and I picking up my cb200.

2011-12-02T14:02:00.000-08:00

Three frames finished and drying, about four more to go... can't wait to see the prints in these frames.

More from the State Fair.

2011-11-07T17:49:00.000-08:00

Arizona State Fair.

2011-10-26T12:13:00.000-07:00

Every year my Daughter and I go to the Arizona State Fair to celebrate her birthday, we were going to skip it this year but after thinking about it we decided to go... I'm glad we did.

Arizona blacktop.

2011-10-11T09:20:00.000-07:00

Multiple exposure.

2011-10-04T14:51:00.000-07:00

Dominik.

2011-09-28T15:17:00.000-07:00

The Congress, Tucson

2011-09-22T00:09:00.001-07:00

Tom, Letty, and John.

2011-09-14T21:54:00.001-07:00

Bonneville Salt Flats 2011

2011-08-19T10:19:00.001-07:00

2011-08-15T15:14:00.000-07:00

I guess it's been a year, and it's time to venture back to the salt flats for Speed Week 2011. I'll be leaving in the morning to catch the tail end of the event. I'm looking forward to being back and sorting through the images.

Musso and Frank, Hollywood Ca.

2011-08-10T09:19:00.000-07:00

Maisie

2011-07-28T11:50:00.000-07:00

Just a quick portrait of Maisie, with a great song from Blind Pilot called "two towns from me".

Summer fun.

2011-07-26T08:58:00.000-07:00

Family Photo.

2011-07-21T21:15:00.000-07:00

Northern California.

2011-07-19T19:28:00.000-07:00

Glacier National Park.

2011-07-13T14:40:00.000-07:00

The return (pt. 3)

2011-06-30T22:53:00.000-07:00

Mods vs Rockers 2011.

2011-06-19T10:59:00.001-07:00

Back to Chicago.

2011-06-14T22:57:00.000-07:00

Cloud, Nebraska

2011-06-14T06:52:00.000-07:00

Long lonely road home (pt 1).

2011-06-08T14:56:00.001-07:00

Mods vs Rockers Ride.

2011-05-23T16:45:00.000-07:00

I feel that recently my days have blended from one to the next and I'm becoming bored with the sameness of my daily routine. It seems that the only remedy is to have myself a little adventure. With summer in Arizona quickly approaching, it makes sense it beat a hasty retreat.

Each year, just under 2000 miles from Phoenix, a gathering of vintage motorcycle and scooter enthusiasts come together for an event at a favorite Chicago watering hole... Delilah's. It's "Mods vs Rockers" time again, and I can't think of a better place to spend the weekend. What's even better is the chance to get out on the motorbike for this little cross country adventure. Flagstaff, Moab, Golden, North Platte, Davenport and finally Chicago.

I've been through a lot on my old r90s and I'm hoping to put another notch on the seat for this trip. I'm guessing my body will give out before her.

Anyway, I can't wait to share some photos from the journey.

Moments before the rain.

2011-05-18T20:40:00.000-07:00

Guitar

2011-05-17T09:44:00.001-07:00

Maisie and Me.

2011-05-02T18:16:00.000-07:00

This weekend I was lucky enough to be able to photograph my daughter. It's getting harder and harder to pin her down and I've been forced to sneak in shots whenever I can get them. On Sunday, I was able to do just that. In exchange, I had to hold still for her to make a portrait of me. I've posted a couple of the shots from the exchange... I think she did a great job.

Linda

2011-04-27T14:40:00.001-07:00

Dino

2011-04-27T08:12:00.000-07:00

2011-04-25T13:55:00.000-07:00

An afternoon with Chris

2011-04-04T22:15:00.000-07:00

Michelle

2011-03-30T12:42:00.000-07:00

Kelly.

2011-03-23T09:33:00.000-07:00

Phoenix

2011-02-23T08:16:00.000-08:00

I've been doing some exploring around Phoenix, are a couple of the images from the group. I hope to get more of them posted in the next week or so, I still have a lot of work to go through.

Sabrina

2011-02-21T21:43:00.000-08:00

Philosophy

2011-02-11T17:12:00.000-08:00

ASU

2011-02-08T08:41:00.000-08:00

2011-01-18T11:22:00.000-08:00

2011-01-14T12:07:00.000-08:00

Cloud.

2010-12-24T10:38:00.001-08:00

the garage

2010-11-17T15:10:00.001-08:00

2010-10-27T12:55:00.000-07:00

Desktop frame

2010-10-21T17:22:00.001-07:00

I have several boxes of small toned silver prints which have been tucked away in a closet. I recently pulled one of the boxes and looked through the loosely piled prints, wondering how I could display them. Because the walls are becoming very full, I decided to experiment with a couple freestanding frame ideas. This is one of the designs that I came up with. There are a few other configurations that preceded this version... but this was my favorite.

Maisie

2010-09-27T12:06:00.001-07:00

Gabby for Samamama

2010-09-05T16:53:00.000-07:00

Speed Week 2010

2010-08-17T18:09:00.000-07:00

I'm back from The Bonneville Salt Flats and will be editing the photo's over the next few days, in the meantime, here are a couple of the new images. Most of the new images will be posted on the wagnermoto blog, so if you're interested in seeing more or the images from last year... have a look there.

Tides Inn Resort

2010-07-07T14:37:00.000-07:00

M&C Magazine Shoot

2010-06-10T18:04:00.000-07:00

Chicago

2010-05-26T07:56:00.000-07:00

Hat at the Westward Ho

2010-04-20T18:18:00.000-07:00

Smeeks Day

2010-04-20T17:23:00.000-07:00

I recently set-up shop at an event called "Smeeks Day". The event was held at I local candy shop called Smeeks. I thought it would be fun to photograph the kids and give them something to remember the day with. I wasn't entirely sure what I was getting myself into, but as it turned out all the kids were great and the event a success. I've posted a few of the images. I think I photographed around 78 groups that day here are a few of them.

Michelle

2010-03-15T08:33:00.001-07:00

Dog

2010-03-09T13:33:00.000-08:00

Jacques And Noah

2010-02-22T11:59:00.001-08:00

2010-01-28T18:51:00.000-08:00

Took some time to play in the studio today. Unfortunately my subject had to cancel at the last minute. So I need to thank Bill Timmerman for stepping in for me.

Remembering Summer

2009-12-30T11:45:00.000-08:00

GLAAD Annual Report

2009-12-17T13:41:00.000-08:00

2009-12-12T16:47:00.000-08:00

Samamamma Shoot

2009-12-11T15:21:00.000-08:00

2009-12-02T16:02:00.000-08:00

2009-10-26T15:44:00.001-07:00

2009-10-26T13:49:00.000-07:00

2009-09-28T13:27:00.000-07:00

2009-09-14T16:30:00.001-07:00

Bonneville Salt Flats

2009-08-13T23:10:00.000-07:00

I was recently asked to shoot "Speed Week" at the Bonneville Salt flats. Bonneville is legendary... a dry salt lake bed located in Utah, where machines are put to the test, the goal... to be the fastest machine to scoot across the earths surface. What could be more fun?

The images were shot for a magazine called Men's File, a UK mag geared towards vintage motorcycle, hot rod, fashion, and gearhead culture. I've been a big fan of vintage motorcycles for some time (and have, at one time or another, owned a couple of the bikes that were competing), so this assignment could not have been more appealing. I'll post more images as I get through them, but here is a small sample.

I think the hardest part of the project was to photograph these machines (cars and motorcycles), moving at such incredible speeds, only to drive home forced to obey traditional speed limits. And, it will be no easy task removing all of the salt from the interior of my car (and camera).

The one thing that excites me most, is the prospect of entering my bike in the competition next year. I'm hooked.

Modified Arts Exhibit

2009-08-09T08:30:00.000-07:00

I wanted to post the invite for the exhibition at Modified Arts, I'll be showing some new images along with Bill Timmerman. There will be an opening reception on Friday (the 21st of August), and a second on the 4th of September (for the Phoenix First Fridays gallery and studio tours). I think the first "opening reception" is more enjoyable, it's a little less chaotic... a bit less crowded, and the people who attend seem to be more interested in looking at the work and less interested in trashing Roosevelt neighborhood.

Anyway, if anyone would like to stop by... we'd love to see you.

Valley Ho Ads

2009-08-02T11:45:00.000-07:00

2009-07-15T11:25:00.000-07:00

2009-07-14T14:58:00.000-07:00

2009-07-06T11:57:00.001-07:00

2009-06-11T14:07:00.001-07:00

frances shoot

2009-06-03T10:30:00.000-07:00

frances shoot (sneak peek)

2009-06-01T20:35:00.001-07:00

2009-05-23T23:27:00.000-07:00

2009-05-12T10:10:00.000-07:00

2009-04-20T10:43:00.000-07:00

This week I head out to Los Angeles to exhibit a body of work at Fresh Artfairs (an event that kicks off Photo LA). I'll be showing images from the beachcombers series, which is a collection of toned silver prints taken on various beaches and waterways around the world. To prepare, I've been in the darkroom and building frames for the last couple of weeks. The framed pieces are hanging in the studio, and I occasionally change out an image in hopes of making it a stronger body of work. In a moment of weakness I asked my girlfriend which print if any she would change out, when she chose one of my favorites I glared at her with a look of contempt... "are you kidding me", a few days later changed it. At the end of August, a large group of the series will be on display in Phoenix, but for this show I will have to edit down to about eighteen framed pieces.

Stryker

2009-04-16T15:23:00.000-07:00

These photos are out-takes from a recent project that was shot for the copper mining industry in Arizona. The star of these images is Styker (a 6 month old catahoula puppy). Styker is a cattle dog "in training" on a ranch near Superior, and on this particular afternoon he was coaxed... reluctantly, into his first photo shoot. When full grown this breed is said to be the largest and most aggressive cattle dog, able to handle wild cattle effectively in the roughest of terrain.

Stryker took the lead as we hiked into the location and when our human talent went to make-up, Stryker readied himself by rolling in cow shit and snacking on decaying fish and lizards on the shoreline. When it was time to begin, our little dappled friend bounded in and out view... in the frame for a brief moment and then completely out of sight. He seemed to take a keen interest in photography and would climb excitedly over me to more closely investigate the camera. His encounters left me covered in muddy footprints and a very distinct turd like odor.

All and all Stryker gave a stellar performance... and I would be honored to work with him again.

Copper Mining Project

2009-03-29T14:30:00.000-07:00

Darkroom

2009-02-18T10:44:00.000-08:00

An amber glow illuminates the corner of my work space. The light emitted by this "safelight" barely registers as I first enter the darkroom. I move through the cramped space intuitively until my eyes adjust to the dim surroundings. A handcrafted dodging wand sits to the left of my easel just below the enlargers timer, to the right are a few loose filters and a grain magnifier. With chemistry in the trays and a negative carrier placed into the enlarger, it's time to begin.

I've always felt that the darkroom was one of the most enjoyable aspects of the photographic process. Once the door shuts and you're alone in the darkness, the smell of chemistry in the air and a world of possibility in every negative. It's what you do in in this room that sets the mood of the image you've captured in the camera, it give the image life, depth, and emotion. More light and the print is darker... less and it's lighter, contrast can be controlled by changing the color of the light or by a combination of exposure and time in the developer... not that mystifying really, but the results can be remarkable.

I'm not a technical printmaker, I prefer a more organic approach. I watch as the paper rocks gently in the tray, pulling it at just the right moment and carefully placing it into a water bath and finally the fixer. The prints are washed, toned, and washed once again. As they undergo their final wash, I can't help but to fish them out of the water to take another look. The sepia toner stains my fingernails, a testament to the time spent in the dark and a reminder I will carry with me for the next couple of days.

2009-02-18T09:08:00.000-08:00

2009-02-13T23:26:00.001-08:00

2009-02-07T16:35:00.000-08:00

2009-02-04T13:31:00.000-08:00

2009-02-03T13:20:00.000-08:00

2009-01-08T00:02:00.001-08:00

Walnut frame

2008-12-15T15:40:00.000-08:00

I have a good friend who is turning sixty this week. For a gift, I thought it would be nice to give a photograph. I searched through box after box of images and found one that I felt would be appropriate, then set off to build a frame. Bill, much like myself, has a collection of photography and as I looked around my apartment I noticed a complete lack of open wall space. I thought it safe to assume that he may have the same problem. I put some thought into the framing of the print and came up with a free standing walnut frame (pictured above). After the sawdust cleared and all of the splinters were pulled from my finger tips, I couldn't be more pleased with the piece. It seems to be a great way to display some of the smaller prints, rather than having them sit in various storage boxes.

Portraits

2008-12-08T13:00:00.000-08:00

On the Road

2008-12-06T20:19:00.001-08:00

I've been doing quite a bit of traveling, so I've been a little neglectful when it comes to the blog. Here are a couple of images from the road (quite literally from the road). I've got a batch of film to process and I'm excited to get into the darkroom... it seems like it's been too long.

There has been a lot going on including word of another exhibition in the up coming months, I'll be sure to post the dates when they are locked in.

In the meantime, I'll try to be better about adding new images to this site.

If you get a chance, you can also view work at the AtEdge site.

Trains

2008-11-04T10:43:00.001-08:00

Travel

2008-11-04T10:26:00.001-08:00

Father and Son

2008-11-04T10:08:00.001-08:00

Ultravision Media

2008-10-27T19:03:00.001-07:00

Daily Pics

2008-10-15T11:19:00.001-07:00

Recent Lifestyle

2008-10-10T23:43:00.000-07:00

Frances, Love Phoenix or Leave Phoenix

2008-09-29T11:40:00.000-07:00

Pool Days

2008-09-16T16:08:00.001-07:00

www.johnwagnerphotographs.com

Daily Pic

2008-08-16T18:11:00.001-07:00

Daily Pics

2008-07-22T13:36:00.000-07:00

Studio Portraits

2008-07-17T18:37:00.000-07:00