Mikey is a passionate photographer who embarked on a unique journey that led him from a teenage life marked by divorce to a world of exploration, photography, and self-discovery. Music and mountains inspired his pursuit to become a visual narrator and he strives to convey that nothing is truly impossible, as long as you bear the summit, embracing the challenges along the way.
At the tender age of 15, almost 16, my parents divorced. That is when I embarked on an adventure I had never thought I’d be on. An adventure of both highs and lows. I went from couch-surfing to living in a tent and even spent some time living in a van. This experience compelled me to adopt a broader perspective on how I saw the world and how even the smallest interactions can create meaningful stories.
During this period, music and mountains – something I have always been fascinated by – have not only provided me with a sense of peace but have also acted as catalysts for my pursuit of visual storytelling.
I was and still am a musician. My musical inspirations come from old folk, bluegrass, and country music to Punk Rock and Heavy Metal. Artists like Woody Guthrie, The Carter Family, Flatt and Scruggs, Hank Williams Sr. to Lost Dog Street Band, Jason Dae West, Townes Van Zandt, and all of the like have helped fuel my inspiration for storytelling. Artists like Hank Williams III, Days n Daze, Mischief Brew, and other Punk Rock Bands also really hit home when it came to feeling “out of place” with the world. Regardless of the type or style, music has been a huge part of my life and has been one of the tools that helped revolutionize me into a visual storyteller. Being able to take a look at both the “big picture” and the “fine details” like how lyrics can paint a picture is part of what inspires me as a photographer.
Similarly, I loved hiking, which eventually turned into backpacking and mountaineering. The mountains have always provided me with inspiration and empowerment. The feeling of “I would love to push myself to get to the top” is something that I feel deep every time I see mountains. Once getting to the top, the feeling of being free, of reaching such high elevations, putting in the miles, and embracing the struggle is provoking intense happiness.
When I started my journey as a photographer, I immediately gravitated toward capturing the beauty of mountains, expeditions, and thrilling adventures. I realized that photography could portray scenes ranging from chaos to simplicity, from complexity to abstraction, leaving viewers thinking about the essence of the moment. This ability to evoke contemplation is what excites me about storytelling through photography – there’s no need for explanations; it’s about capturing moments, and that’s what truly matters.
In essence, I can sum up my inspiration in three words: Adversity, Exploration, and Nostalgia. These words serve as the cornerstones for the moments, emotions, and stories I aim to convey. Learning how to convey this through my images and how to tell stories more compellingly has been an ongoing project, all the while trying to grow on social media and learning how it works as well as how to develop my career as a visual creator (besides trial and error). You could say that the most important project I have ever worked on – and am still working on – is Self-Development.
Some very helpful lessons I acquired that are generally applicable to different situations in life are:
1) Working hard, maintaining consistency, and persevering even when you feel like giving up will eventually lead you to your desired destinations. Your mind gives in before your body; silence that inner voice and keep pushing forward.
2) Make the most of what you have; often, less is more.
3) Quality sleep is a superpower that enhances all aspects of performance.
4) The situation is rarely as dire as it seems. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Find that determination and utilize it.
5) Additionally, I’d like to emphasize the importance of nurturing connections and relationships as they form the foundation for growth, knowledge, and guidance.
On the other hand, I have also had many learnings regarding visual creation specifically and acquired knowledge about how to create captivating images:
1) Balance: When a composition lacks balance, it can make viewers feel uneasy and detract from the subject.
2) Layers and Depth: Incorporating layers adds depth to an image, immersing the viewer in the scene rather than just the photo.
3) Simplicity: Keeping it simple and straightforward can leave room for curiosity and exploration. Chaotic elements are fine but only if they enhance, not detract from the subject.
4) Lighting: Poor lighting can significantly diminish the impact of your subject and scene, resulting in excessive contrast. As a photographer, you’re a painter with light, and mastering it is crucial.
5) Subject: Ensure your subject is well-balanced, in harmony with the scene, and not awkward, as it can affect the overall feeling of the image.
6) Story: Above all, prioritize the story. Regardless of challenges like lighting or subjects, the story should be your primary focus. As one of my favorite photographers once said, “Story is always number one. That’s what you’re there for. Everything else is a bonus. If you can control the extras, great, do that. But, at the end of the day, the story always comes first.
My shooting and editing style has evolved over the years, but the principles mentioned above are valid whatever my style. Initially, I gravitated toward a monochromatic and high-contrast style. However, as time passed, I began exploring new sources of inspiration and eventually developed a deep appreciation for the aesthetics of film. Currently, I’m happy with my style, but I’m continually striving to enhance my editing skills.
In my current style, I frequently emphasize two key colors: blues and greens. I particularly enjoy incorporating rich teal-ish blues into my images, and when it comes to greens, I prefer to give them a cooler tone. Nevertheless, my primary measure for editing is how the image makes me feel. If adjustments are needed to achieve balance and clarity, I turn to Photoshop. I aim to enhance the image’s existing qualities without altering its fundamental character. I perceive each moment for what it is and embrace its essence.
Regarding consistency, I utilize personal presets as a valuable tool. When I anticipate working with similar color palettes frequently, I either apply a preset that aligns with the desired look and stick with it for a while, or I create a new preset to maintain a uniform style.
Recently I created a reel where I showcase how I edit an image. The photo of Indian Head marked my very first visit to the Adirondacks in New York. It had been a long-held desire of mine, but I never found the time to make the trip until 2020, a year that unexpectedly offered more free time. I decided to call up a friend and propose, “Let’s embark on a six-hour journey to hike a mountain, take some photos, and witness a breathtaking view.” Thankfully, they agreed, and we set off on our adventure.
When we arrived at our destination, we encountered a full parking lot, forcing us to park further up the road along the shoulder. From there, we had to trek 4.5 miles to reach the actual trailhead. The vista we aimed to reach was only about 2 miles from that point, but those 2 miles featured some of the most challenging terrain I had ever hiked. As a fun fact, the Adirondack Mountains are known for hosting some of the most demanding trails on the East Coast.
Despite the rugged journey, once we reached the vista, I was utterly captivated by the view. This experience only deepened my desire to explore and capture more of the beauty that this remarkable place had to offer.
My vision for editing the photo was quite clear to me. Despite arriving at the vista when the lighting wasn’t at its best, it was Golden Hour, and I was determined to maintain authenticity while enhancing the shot. I’m committed to avoiding excessive editing, which can make images appear overly manipulated and heavy. For me, balance is paramount in all aspects of photo editing. With this in mind, I opted for a natural and balanced approach, preserving contrast in both color and exposure to make the image stand out. To achieve this, I made use of both Tone Curves and HSL adjustments, giving me precise control over the final result. You can see exactly what I have done with the image in the reel.
The cornerstone of my editing process revolves around contrast, color, and the emotion I aim to convey. I channel my contrast adjustments, both in terms of color and exposure, through the versatile tool of Tone Curves. On occasions, I opt for a more subdued, natural appearance by placing points in the mid-tones and shadows, reducing contrast, and leveraging the midpoint to create a smoother adjustment in the exposure curve.
For color contrast, I turn to the R.G.B curves, setting individual points to target precise exposure values for adding or subtracting color. Then, I turn my attention to the parametric curve, which I refer to as the source of “micro contrast.” This curve allows for subtler adjustments, enhancing the overall image appearance. On the flip side, sometimes I choose a more minimal approach, forgoing extensive adjustments with the R.G.B curves and relying more on the main curve and the Parametric curve. My decision depends on the image’s content and the emotional impact I want to convey.
I rarely touch the clarity slider, except when I want to use an adjustment brush in the masking tools to selectively enhance or reduce clarity in specific areas of the image. If an image appears overly sharp, I might reduce the clarity.
When it comes to color grading, I view the color wheels as broad “blankets of color” that affect a wide range of values in the image, similar to how a histogram works. I use these wheels to enhance the scene based on the image’s content. For instance, if I’m aiming for a film-like vibe akin to Portra 400, I might introduce Reds/Oranges to the shadows, Oranges to the midtones, and Yellows/Oranges to the highlights. Ultimately, my choices are guided by the emotional impact I intend to create in the final image.
To me, it is important to showcase the story for what it is. You don’t need the most amazing story of jumping out of a C-130 to skydive from 50,000 feet or Hiking MT. Everest. Accept and embrace the story as how you experienced it and try to showcase that in the best way possible – those moments are the ones that will resonate the most. This is something I would have told my younger self because when we just start and look at all the amazing work and locations, we might feel the need to do the craziest things. However, we should not compare our story to someone else’s. It is OK to resonate, even emulate another style because that is how you learn. However, it is crucial to focus on showcasing the trail YOU are on so people see it from YOUR perspective.
The learning journey is (luckily!) never-ending. I personally aspire to continue my photography journey by visiting inspiring destinations. In this pursuit, I not only aim to capture the stories that unfold at these locations but also along the entire journey. I am driven to collaborate with individuals and brands that deeply resonate with me and align with my values. By doing so, I intend to make a positive impact, leaving a lasting impression that encourages others to follow a similar path.
My mission is elegantly simple: to engage in what I love most – telling stories through both visual and auditory means. Through my work, I seek to illustrate the vastness of the world and the enormity of our human potential, emphasizing that nothing is truly beyond reach. I draw inspiration from a quote by my best friend, Jesaja Class, who once lifted my spirits with these words: “Nothing is impossible, not even the word, because even in the word, it says ‘I’M POSSIBLE’.”
I have a personal mantra, “Bear the Summit,” which encourages me to confront discomfort and challenges head-on, in both my mountainous pursuits and in life. It serves as a reminder that embracing the difficulties along the way leads to the highest of achievements.
I believe honing my skills as a professional and human being, while remaining consistent with it, is what is going to get me where I want to be.
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