Gerald Mills

Photo by: Gerald Mills

Today’s post is about a photographer I recently connected with on Instagram.  He is a wonderful photographer and I love and admire his work.

A few weeks back I attended a ZOOM session for FujiFilm wherein about 8 different professional Fuji photographers were being interviewed about their work, style, and how they are dealing with Covid-19.  Us observers asked questions via chat and this is where I discovered Gerald Mills.  I had sent out my Instagram page in the chat (yes I am okay begging for views) and consequently so did Gerald and many others.  I clicked on his IG page and started reviewing his feed.  I was amazed by his work.

Not long after, I messaged him via Instagram and commented on some of his work, as he also sent me praise on my work.  A bond formed via our love of photography.  I then went to his website and began looking through those shots as well.  One-shot in particular struck me.  I stopped on this shot and just stared at it.  To me, anyone who can tell a story and leave in a bit of mystery in a picture has, my respect and attention.  Gerald has that ability and skill.  I later spoke with Gerald about this picture, and even though he spoke to this gentleman he would not reveal his story.  I was and am left with questions.  Is he mad, tired, homeless, just resting, or is he sitting there watching kids or grandkids?  What is his story?  Gerald would not reveal, and I appreciate that.  It might lessen the value of the picture to me.  I have my own story for this guy in my head, and I love that about his work.

Another aspect, for those who know me, is that Gerald shoots a lot of black and white shots.  My favorite.  In the cases where he shoots color, those colors are muted.  Muted enough to add to the picture without distracting from the main subject.  My favorites on his website fall into the ‘Street’ and ‘Open Spaces’ section of his portfolio.  He tells such wonderful stories with his camera.

Like me, Gerald shoots two different Fujifilm cameras.  The XT-2 and XH-1.  For the photographers out there, he only shoots JPEG and as you can see does are great job with his camera settings to “capture what he sees with his camera”.  He may even have convinced me to shoot JPEG only going forward.

Please take the time to check out his sites below and follow him on Instagram.  I don’t write about anyone, only the photographers I respect.  Gerald is right up there at the top of that list.

Website:                 www.geraldmills.com

Instagram:          Instagram.com/decadent_lie & Instagram.com/gerald.mills

Facebook Profile:  Facebook.com/geraldamills

Twitter:                  Twitter.com/gerald_mills

Which is your favorite lens? Why?

First, let me say that I love almost all of Fujifilm’s prime glass, they are all beautiful pieces of artwork and each one is honestly a joy to hold and work with.  My favorite glass though I am not sure, I can say it like this, my top three would be first the 90mm f2: Its always consistent and fast, second the 23mm f1.4: wonderful in the hand and renders beautifully, and third is the 16mm f1.4: It’s just lovely in every way.

What is your favorite style of shooting?

Currently, my favorite style of shooting would be a documentary … There seem to be so many possibilities to it and it’s versatile in its depth, emotion, and artistry. I like to capture things as they happen without having too much of an effect on the actual event, as though making a record of history. For me, there’s a special kind of artistry attached to that.

Among the gadgets that you own, is there something that you wish you hadn’t bought?

I don’t buy much unnecessarily but a while back I had purchased a neck strap for my camera thinking I’d wear it around my neck when out street shooting but found I never used it.. really! I never used it. So it’ll go to my child. I definitely prefer my camera in hand with a wrist strap.

How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

First I shoot. I shoot on a regular basis, almost daily, and I make it a practice to at least handle my camera once a day. I will also watch documentaries which feature older film photographers: Sally Mann, Dorothea Lange, Robert Frank, and others, and I occasionally check out library books based around historic painters:  Caravaggio, Artemisia, Leonardo, Rembrandt, Degas… I enjoy seeing how they captured shadows and the emotion of moments.

Whose work has influenced you most?

I love the work of Fan Ho, his work is aesthetically beautiful and captivating and his photographs have moved me from the very first time I’ve seen them.

What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos?

I wish I’d known to slow down and trust myself more artistically.  I had initially shied away from my own style b/c it wasn’t popular, but fortunately for me, I learned to love me again.

Again I want to thank Gerald for taking the time to answer my questions.  I hope one day to meet him in person, but for now, I will enjoy his view of the world and hopefully an occasional chat on the phone.  Please do me a favor and follow him on Instagram (he has two accounts) and check out his website and other social media.  You will discover the joy I did through his eyes.

Until next time,

Tim