Seth Taras is an American artist, one of Luerzer’s Archive’s 200 Best Photographers Worldwide and winner of numerous international awards.
He was born into a lineage of artists and artisans, including bronze and Macramé sculptors, golden-age cartoonists, steel dealers, interior designers, (and vacuum repairmen).
Seth’s panoramic pictures are direct prints from original film negatives with no digital alteration and taken hand-held.
His pictures hang in collections around the world.
What made you choose the creative path in your life?
The choice to take a creative path was the choice to become a photographer. A step into a complex, opaque, and often uncertain world of art and commerce. But it eventually opened a fount of creativity, artfulness, and good fortune to create pictures around the world.
What is your most memorable project or photo? Or the most successful project?
The “Know Where You Stand” campaign I created has been translated into 30 languages, published in 130 countries and was the winner of numerous international awards including a Cannes Lion, Silver Cube, The ONE Show and more. The campaign went viral and has over 25 articles written about it.
What drives you? What’s your favorite type of photography?
I’m driven to create original pictures across genres and styles.
Favorite photography. On one side are the street photographers who had the ability to create unusual scenes perfected on film. Like Walker Evans, Garry Winogrand, Robert Frank, Cartier-Bresson. On the other side are photographers who create images from the ground up, using outside resources to build the often surreal images. Artists like Gregory Crewdson, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, Irving Penn, and Annie Leibovitz.
Whose work has influenced you most?
Gregory Heisler. A celebrity photographer with an extraordinary mind for photography. A lighting master. He took me in as an intern when I knew nothing and I stayed to become his first assistant and studio manager. (Although I’m sure he considering firing me at least 47 times.)
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Response from my late grandma Eleanor when I asked her, ‘what’s the key to life?’ Without a beat she said, ‘getting laid regularly.’
Is there any place in the world that you wish to be tomorrow with your camera?
Aurora Borealis.
What’s your opinion on the NFT and how will it impact the art industry?
Novel ways artists can reach a wider audience is the dream. NFTs can democratize the art system by circumventing conventional galleries and connecting global art enthusiasts. The hurdle to mass adoption is the level of complexity and patience it takes to enter (and leave) the space.
What’s in store for you for next projects / years?
I’m launching my debut nft collection with all new work in the near future so I’m preparing.
Where can we find you and your work?