Photography is more than just the click of a shutter; it's a form of art, a science, and a way to communicate and share moments. Through the images, we embrace adventure, revisit long-ago memories of people and places, document events, build awareness, and even see life through a new perspective; it's all the stories we tell and the personal truth we seek in navigating life's moments. In the work of photographer Rob Hammer, he seeks to gaze into the places we might have been too busy to notice.
Rob claims West Sand Lake, New York, a small one-stoplight town outside of Albany, as the quiet place where small things made a difference. "Thinking back to being a kid, it seemed natural to draw with crayons, pencils, and colored pencils and eventually graduated to painting. However, I had a grandfather who was a master woodworker as a hobby, a father who took photography very seriously to the point that we and everyone else could relive our vacations through endless slide shows." Rob also recognizes his mom for her extraordinary ability to construct items for the family and home with her sewing and knitting projects. As he grew older, the movies' visual, technical, and storytelling captivated his imagination. However, Rob states, "Travel was the best gift my parents gave me. It opened my eyes to new places, people, and stories. The effects on my life would not be comprehended until years later."
Not yet considering photography as a career, Rob headed off to Norwich University in Vermont to study and complete his bachelor's degree in criminal justice. In the end, Rob observes, "I'm not a fan of traditional education. I would urge anyone who wants to be a photographer or artist to avoid wasting time in the system. Find a mentor. You can learn so much more by being around working professionals.” The decision to move off in the direction of a full-time photographer was a turning point in Rob’s life, “Nowadays other photographers such as Kurt Markus, William Albert Allard, and Fred Herzog and artists such as William Matthews, Mark Magiorri, and Teal Blake to name a few are my biggest influences. I started a serious photo book habit. Spending time with a tangible body of work is fun, educational, and meditative. It allows you to digest every bit of information from a photograph. A process that is not possible scrolling over pixels on a phone." The older Rob gets, the more he enjoys museums and galleries. "Art can significantly impact photography in studying how artists use light and composition."
Rob describes his photography career as "A rollercoaster that keeps jumping tracks. It started at a small newspaper in San Diego, then grew into magazine work." He so worked his way into photographing famous athletes for some of the largest companies in the world. He describes it as glamorous and very superficial. "The only thing that mattered was how many logos you could get on a famous person's body to sell a product." Disillusionment stepped in, Rob began focusing on personal projects, and his career was about to go on the road. His first cross-country trip started in 2011; since then, Rob has logged 35K+ miles a year. The result is several new bodies of work, photo books, gallery shows, etc. "All the time on my own has made me realize how important it is to think about the work you put into the world. Working on things you truly care about is vital and translates to the viewer."
No longer a 'gift wrapping' subject matter for a client who never knows what they want, Rob is free to forge his creative path. Now, he is focusing on ongoing series and searching for the stories to tell within the images. "I put together photographs, essays on people I meet, or ideas found on the road, then pitch the stories to brands and magazines. I still do editorial and commercial work; however, I try to be selective about it." A few of Rob's most significant projects to date focus on Barbershops of America, documenting traditional barbershops in all 50 states, American Back Courts, images of basketball hoops across the American West, where you are least likely to find them, Working Cowboys of the American West, and Roadside Meditations; tiny towns and places that caught his eye. "Each subject became a book and/or an exhibition." Rob explains, "The subject for each project is quite varied. However, the main through line is about an American story."
Photographer Rob Hammer loves being on the road. However, he does find inspiration in fly fishing and hunting. "If you knew 100% that you'd catch a fish or bring down game each time you went out, it just won't be that much fun; what you go for is the anticipation and the challenge. That's how being on the road is; you never know what you'll find or where you'll find it." Rob is a member of the American Photographic Artists, Colorado Center for Photography, Houston Center for Photography, Center for Fine Art Photography, and the Los Angeles Center for Photography. His work American Back Courts is now on exhibit at Western Spirit, Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, Scottsdale, Arizona—a complete list of gallery and museum exhibitions on Rob's website.
Email: rob@robhammerphotography.com
Website: www.robhammerphotography.com
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