MEET THE TEAM

During Joel’s time as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, from 1968 to 1969 he was deployed to Vietnam, where he began his journey as a photographer. It was along the Mekong River that Joel first discovered the power of capturing moments through the lens of his Pentax SLR 35mm camera. Despite the difficult circumstances, he found solace in documenting the world around him. Taking pictures of the rugged terrain, the local people, and his fellow soldiers, Joel realized the value of photography to preserve memories and tell stories. That experience would shape his passion for the art and lead to a career in the field.

As soon as he got off the ferry and stepped onto Vinalhaven in July 1977, Joel felt that this was going to be his place. He had traveled extensively abroad and in the United States, but on his first visit to the Maine island he recalls it “felt just right—like no other place I’d been before.” He could carve out a home here and enjoy the good life.

1983: Joel created a photographic essay of the Brooklyn Bridge for its centennial celebration. The project was financed by Manufacturers Hanover Trust Bank and culminated in a one-man show in New York City. The exhibit had extensive press coverage and Joel’s Brooklyn Bridge centennial poster series sold worldwide.
1984: Joel created a photographic essay of Ellis Island before its restoration began. Five 4' x 5' photographs of Joel’s are part of the “Silent Voices” exhibit at Ellis Island.
1988: Joel published a book of photographs titled Urban Wilderness: Nature in New York City. With text by Jean Gardner and a foreword by Bill Moyers, this was the first book to showcase the city’s parks. Educational material accompanied each photograph.
1988 to present: Joel started a highly successful business specializing in wedding photography that continues today.

As co-director of the Earth Environmental Group, Joel made significant contributions to the field of environmental education through his photography of New York City’s parklands. His efforts were recognized by prestigious organizations including the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, and the J.M. Kaplan Fund. These awarded him numerous grants to support his work.

One of Joel’s achievements was the creation of 35 photography posters that showcased the beauty and diversity of New York City's parklands. These were used as educational materials in schools and community centers throughout the city.

In 1979, Joel met with Ansel Adams, the legendary photographer and environmental activist, and presented him with the New York City parks posters. Adams was so impressed with the quality and impact of Joel’s work that he wrote a letter of recommendation to help secure additional funding for the project. This recognition from a prominent figure in the field further cemented Joel’s reputation as a talented and dedicated photographer and educator.

Camera: The photos in this book were taken with a Century Universal Field View 8" x 10" camera made by Folmer and Schwing in 1929, just one of 100 produced that year.
Lenses: 1940s, 1950s and 1960s vintage
• Goerz 8" Golden Dagor
• Goerz 9.5" Gold Dot Dagor
• Goerz 24" Red Dot Artar in the barrel
• Kodak 12" Commercial Ektar
Film: 8" x 10" Tri-X, developed with a slight variation of Ansel Adams’ fine grain film developer.
Chemicals: Bought, measured and mixed from City Chemical Company.
Developing: Three 8" x 10" film sheets at a time, which proved to be a very time-consuming process.