Richard Thompson III | Photographer of the Week

Car-lovers rejoice, because Richard Thompson’s photographs are the stuff of your dreams. Richard is a quiet, contemplative man who suddenly bursts with energy and love for his craft. Seeing him at work is a joy in itself. “I’d describe my style as location based, and car centric. I love cars! There’s so much going on with them, they represent a great human technical innovation and are a central component of our rush to industrialism over the course of the past century or so. At the same time they represent an incredible form of art and competition between men, companies, even nations. There’s a lot to explore there. My second love is landscape, so a lot of my work with cars is about integrating them into a particular environment to help convey an idea or story.

“I got started loving cars and landscape pretty early, I can definitely say that was brought on by my family at a young age. After school I spent a number of years working in the film & television production business which had a huge impact on how I considered my own work and where I wanted to take it.”

Richard’s work is a mix of editorial and fine art. His photos have innate movement, even if the car is parked. It’s a style he’s developed, and developed well. “For anyone in commercial art I believe craft is comprised of different registers, which dictate the ratio of “work” vs “art” and usually it’s a blend of the two.”

“I’m most inspired by other forms of art, chiefly music, which has always been a big part of my life coming from New Orleans. My best lessons about inspiration and staying inspired come from my music background, and applying those ideas to the facets of life which address visual art has been a rewarding experience.”

Richards Favorite Gear

Phase One 645DF+ with IQ250 back

Schneider 55, 80, 110, 240mm leaf shutter lenses

Sony A7R

Sony FE35 f/2.8

MetaBones III + Canon 8-15mm f/3.5, 16-35mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8, 85mm f/1.2, 70-200mm IS f/2.8

ReallyRightStuff TVC-45 tripod

ReallyRightStuff PG-02 pano-gimbal head

f.stop Bags Tilopa

Richards Advice to Emerging Photographers

“My only advice is to be persistent. Calvin Coolidge on the subject: ‘Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan Press On! has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.'”

Be sure to check out Richard’s .