Why call them "Masters"?
A major question I got and continue to get asked is why title this event "Meeting of the Masters"? usually followed by something like "There isn't a such thing as "Masters of Photography". Or "Anyone who considers themselves a "Master" of photography is a xxxxxxxx"
To that, my retort is simple;
"Would you say Herb Ritts or Avedeon or Ansel Adams were not masters of photography?" Usually people get quiet, drop the question or continue to fight. Meeting of the Masters is NOT about them thinking they're masters, but my own personal acknowledgement of their mastering the basic core functions of being a photographer. The idea for naming this event "Meeting of the Masters" came from an old hip-hop song by Digital Underground called "Heartbeat props" the chorus goes;
"Why wait 'till the heartbeat stops?
You're giving more respect to a dead man than you do the man, and the man has the plan in his hand!"
When you think about it, we are forever giving credit and respect to photographers who are dead, or who just died. In their lifetime, their work wasn't appreciated. If it was, it wasn't told to them. Meeting of the Masters is our way of saying "I respect what you do and want to acknowledge it"
I've approached many people about being a Master for the event. Only specific people, people who meet the criteria are chosen. What's the criteria you ask? NO EGO! Those who feel they know everything and are owed the chance to be here, are simply replied to with "Thanks for your interest, we'll be in touch" The reason why this event is successful is simple; humility. All the Masters in attendance are humble and ALL feel as if they don't deserve to be in the same group as the others.
This is why they are referred to as Masters, and why we have Meeting of the Masters.
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