What does it take to succeed a photography legend like Ansel Adams? A photographer for whom his job is a passion and whose images are visually powerful and enduring as long-lasting prints in galleries and museums or in private collections. This is exactly what applies to Manuello Paganelli, a California-based travel, portrait and art photographer. Ansel Adams was his amicable mentor, he learned a lot from him, and today he follows in his footsteps with his enthusiasm for photography. Manuello Paganelli strived to find the perfect paper for his photographs. Here is what he has to say about creating a legacy on Hahnemühle Digital FineArt Paper.
When an image is captured there is still a long way to go before the final product can be admired and respected. Photographers should never underestimate that having the right paper to print on is as important now as it was when everything was done in the darkroom. At my studio we spent countless hours exploring and testing all kinds of archival photo paper, and each trial was based on feeling its weight, getting the look, feel and consistency as some of my favorite fiber-based papers from the past. All of those qualities are found in the Hahnemühle Digital FineArt Papers. There is a great sense of pride and joy when we are able to see a great photo we had taken printed on the right quality paper and held it on our hands. Is not just about printing a photograph but also about preserving the moment in a tangible form so it can be shared with generations to come.
Being represented in the Weston Gallery, one of the oldest and most respected galleries of its kind and a world leader in the field of fine vintage and contemporary photography, this becomes all the more important for when you are alongside legendary photographers like Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Paul Strand, Irving Penn, Man Ray, Yousuf Karsh to name a few, means that everything must be not just visually powerful, but with a long-lasting archiving life. With discerning eyes, art collectors are scrutinizing everything about a photograph, so it’s critical for the raw materials to be of the highest quality available. My prints made on Hahnemühle Digital FineArt Paper, e.g. Photo Rag® Baryta have been met with a glowing praise from photographers, curators and collectors alike.
Despite years in the business, I still find the same excitement for the craft that gripped me when I first picked up a camera. I maintain a passion for sharing my subjects’ stories through documentary and fine arts photography. I want to continue exploring the human condition and to deeply immerse myself in projects that touch and inspire. It is my hope that, for a short moment, when viewers look at the printed image, they sense the beauty, the vulnerability and the souls of my characters and that same exhilaration I felt when I pressed the camera’s shutter.
I never planned on becoming a professional photographer. I always thought I’d become a doctor, but during my senior year in college I began to have doubts about a career in medicine. Around that time that I bought a camera, and while browsing in a bookstore, I found a magazine titled “Darkroom” with Ansel Adams profiled on the cover. Paging through Adams’ powerful black-and-white landscapes left me hypnotized. In that moment I had a feeling that the camera I had just purchased would be my connection to my future. I went home with that copy of Darkroom, and phoned Ansel Adams.
That first conversation with Ansel Adams led to many more, until we established a warm mentoring relationship that guided me through the initial days of my artistic career.
My professional break into photography came when in 1982 I was hired as a staff photographer for The Chattanooga Times. That photojournalism experience was invaluable, but I soon left for the Washington, DC area, where I began a successful freelance career, shooting for magazines such as: Der Spiegel, ESPN, Forbes, LIFE, Newsweek, People, Stern, and Sports Illustrated. I thrived in the freelance role, specializing in portraits of celebrities and industry leaders. As someone who was raised with a love and interest in all those around me, shooting portraits was a way for me to capture and highlight subjects’ unique spirits.
I find artistic influences in everyday life. From the moment I get up, I’m absorbing what I see, what I hear and what I experience. I’m stopped by shadows, contrast, forms, textures, angles and light. And I study the work of masters, too. I’ve always admired the work of W. Eugene Smith, Edward Weston, and in particular the street photography of legends like Henry Cartier Bresson and Robert Frank. I love the poetic and dramatic landscapes of Ansel Adams, the magical touches created by Irving Penn, and the powerful canvas strokes of Caravaggio.
Manuello is “Photographer of the month” in Hahnemühle´s FineArt Gallery in Germany´s magazine ProfiFoto.
Manuello has such an eye for capturing the strong contrast and values, creating not just the concrete visual aspects but the atmosphere of the moment. Viewers will come away with a memory of the feeling that will outlast the memory of the detail.
Discovering all of these msgs now. Sorry it took this long to reply 🙂 Sandra thank you so much!! So glad to read your kind words. My very best!! Pags
We are so impressed about Manuello”s work. Its such a great style we were so glad to feature his portfolio in our last issue I/19 of PhotoKlassik International Magazine.
Mare thanks so much for profiling some of my work on your wonderful magazine. For those who love print analogue photography check out their great magazine. It looks like a book with great articles, strong interviews and wonderful displaced of photos. https://silvergrainclassics.com/en/
Brilliant images by a brilliant photographer. This book was such a pleasure to work on. The love he has for this country and its people is palpable. Kudos Manuello and Kudos Hahnemühle!
Thanks so much Jimmy!!! Having your great photo editing vision was priceless!! There are very few photo editors of your caliber in our industry. Working as a top photo editor at Newsweek and Sports Illustrated magazines for so many years sure helped 🙂
I think Manuello’s background as a lover of art and a curious human being shows through in his work. He is always looking to find the essence of his subject, to look deeper, and make us look with him.
We are very proud to feature one of his images on the cover of the latest issue of PhotoKlassik International magazine.
Charys thanks so much! It was a great honor to be interviewed by you on your magazine. I really love the way you wrote it.
As a photo editor, I always knew that assigning Manuello meant that I would get wonderful images in return. The strength of his eye and how he composes a photograph has always distinguished his work, adding depth and feeling to whatever the subject is.
Awww!! Thanks so much Stella. We did work together on so many photo assignments. So glad you noticed something on my work and for giving me those opportunities. So many young photo editors could learn so much from you.
So good to see this wonderful tribute to one of America’s best photographers. Manuello’s work is rich, evocative, layered, and totally honest. He captures his subjects in natural movement and gesture, free of inhibitions. His photos have a way of reaching into that place where there is universal connection. Ansel Adams would be very proud!
Dear Robin, WOW!! I am speechless. There isn’t much to add so I better stop. With so much gratitude
Inspiring work, then and today. Thanks for being a mentor Manuello!
Daniel in Seattle
Daniel thank you so much! Hope you have learned a few things from working with me during sone of my photo shoots. It could not had done it without your 100% support.
Whenever I see Manuello’s work the warmth the touching compassion and raw human value overwhelms me. His photography grabs me takes me for a ride to a time and a place and a moment that will stay with me forever. A moment that passes in the blink of an eye but through the magic of his visionary talent revisits us again and again. How special that his gift for capturing these works of Art become our gift to enjoy forever.
Dear Terry, LOVE each meaningful word you wrote in here. For a second I thought I was reading a poem Thanks so much!!
This is a great tribute to and examination of Manuello Paganelli’s career and his meaningful photographic work. I am glad to see his fine imagery continue to receive the recognition it warrants.
Lloyd glad to find you in here. Gosh we sure go way back from my days when I lived in Washington DC! Thanks so much for your support buddy!!
Superb photos. Bravo Manuello!
Erica to you I bow my head! Grazie mille!
I’ve seen some of his amazing photographs in the PhotoKlassik International Magazin and we are happy to present him on aphognext.com.
What a great article! Thank you for giving voice to this inspiring story. Beyond the beautiful work, Manuello’s passion, persistence, and willingness to reach outside the normal comfort zone (really, picking up the phone and calling Ansel Adams?), shows us all what can happen when you follow your dreams.
Ron how are you? Great to see you here. Sorry it took me over a year to see all of this and to respond. Back in 1995 you gave me my very first solo Cuba photo exhibit at your gallery in Richmond, VA. I will never forget that and will aways be grateful to you.
I have been collecting Manuello’s photos since I first saw an exhibit of his work in the early ‘90s. HIs unrivaled eye and impeccable technique results in exquisitely composed and textured images that both mesmerize and transport the viewer. But it’s his innate understanding of the human condition and the trust he builds with his subjects that truly sets him apart and gives his photographs poetic intimacy as he gently draws you in to the hallowed space where the soul resides.
Kathy great finding you here too You are so right! In fact you were one of my first collectors. All my best to you and the familia!
Manuello Paganelli si a Maestro of lighting and composition. I find his photograph stunning and innovative . He capture the essence of places and people in a magnificent way .His magnetic eye draws the light in the direction that he want like Prospero (Shakespeare) with his magic makes things happen..
I truly and deeply admire his work .
Marta Petrucci grazie mille! Ti voglio tanti bene! Magari ce vediamo in Italia questo anno. Un forte abbraccio e bacio.