22Slides

William is a great young photographer from NY. He’s also one of 22Slides’ early adopters, so we’ve had the pleasure of watching him refine his craft over the last few years.

Just like he’s constantly pushing his own work and not scared to try new things, he’s also pushing his website to explore what’s possible. His website with 22Slides has seen a few different revisions, but right now it’s a nice blend of built-in functionality and his own custom coding, providing a great example of a classy and beautifully minimal online presence, which compliments his work wonderfully.

[The photos in this article are just a small sample from a single project he’s working on, we definitely encourage you to check out more of his work on his website.]

So how did you get into photography?

I have always been interested in photography, but didn’t fully realize it until I was 18 or so. I had cameras before then, but that was the age when I started shooting regularly and reading a lot about photography. Many of my early images are of my family.

Can you tell us a little about the photographs here?

Sure, these are all pictures I’ve done in New York. They’re part of a long-term project I’m working on, where I document window displays - mainly of luxury and designer storefronts.

What do you look for when you are shooting the images for this series?

I am drawn to photograph the displays or pieces I find beautiful, or strange, or sometimes both.

What kind of equipment do you use most often?

For this series (and most of my work), I’m using a compact mirrorless camera with on-board flash. I’m walking a lot when I do these images, so I wanted something light.

Is there any one subject you would love to photograph?

Not one in particular. I usually have an idea about the storefronts from the runway shows, so sometimes I will go look for specific pieces. As far as people… There are a lot of models I would love to work with, too many to name really.

Have you read anything interesting lately?

I just started “On Photography” by Susan Sontag. I’ve been meaning to read it for a really long time, so it feels good to finally start.

Do you have any favorite films?

I have many favorites. For photography-related… “Helmut by June,” “Blow Up,” “Persona,” “Rear Window.”

What is some good advice someone has given you regarding your work?

Shortly after moving to New York, I met with a few photographers I’ve looked up to, and I asked them for some very direct criticism of my work. It was difficult to hear but also incredibly inspiring - it made me realize I could do much better work than I was doing.

Do you have any advice for aspiring photographers?

I would recommend taking a lot of time to reflect on your images after you shoot - not only to analyze their strengths and weaknesses, but also to try to view them with someone else’s eye in mind.

Why do you use 22slides for your site?

Simplicity, ease of use, interface/design, and of course the unparalleled customer service and support. It’s a great service - I’m very thankful to have their support.