Meeting Arthur Tress, a Brilliant Photographer
At the Beach Break Film Festival in Half Moon Bay, CA
The third time volunteering as a photographer at the Third Annual Beach Break Film Festival in Half Moon Bay, CA was another great experience that seamlessly blended my passion for photography with my appreciation for cinema and cinematography. The festival, held from December 28 to 30, 2024, at the Coastal Repertory Theatre, showcased a diverse array of films of impact and provided a platform for meaningful conversations with filmmakers and fellow enthusiasts. I have been on the Advisory Board since the first year in 2022, and enjoy seeing it continue to evolve and get better every year.
A standout moment in the last event was the screening of Arthur Tress: Water's Edge, a documentary directed by Stephen B. Lewis. The film offers an intimate journey into the life of acclaimed photographer Arthur Tress, delving into his creative process and reflections on aging, relationships, and legacy. It was a very well done documentary, both in storytelling and in cinematography. I was able to share my appreciation with the filmmakers directly, not something one often gets to do. The film absolutely deserves distribution, as it should be seen far and wide.
Meeting Arthur Tress in person was a profound honor. His work has long been a source of inspiration for me, and engaging with him provided invaluable insights into the mind of a true artist. Photographing Arthur alongside director Stephen B. Lewis allowed me to capture the synergy between subject and filmmaker, capturing a moment in the culmination of their collaboration.
My photography has been evolving over the last two decades, as I will shoot nearly anything from landscape, to portrait, to street, to macro. I don’t have a singular focus or consistent voice, beyond making a concerted effort to capture meaningful images. What I appreciated watching the documentary on Arthur Tress, is that he too is always evolving his voice and moving forward rather than sticking to a particular genre or style. While I primarily shoot in digital, I do have an appreciation for film. Arthur and I share the same appreciation for our Hasselblad 500s (they’ve been to the moon you know).
The festival atmosphere was electric, with attendees deeply engaged in post-screening discussions. Capturing these candid interactions through my lens was a privilege, as it highlighted the community's appreciation for the arts and the dialogues that films like Water's Edge inspire.
Volunteering at the Beach Break Film Festival not only allowed me to contribute to a significant cultural event in my local community, but also deepened my appreciation for the intersection of photography and film. The experience reaffirmed my belief in the power of visual storytelling and its ability to connect, inspire, and provoke thought.
As I review the photographs from the festival, I'm reminded of the vibrant community of artists and enthusiasts who make events like these possible. I'm grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of it and look forward to future collaborations.
For those interested in exploring Arthur Tress's work further, here's a glimpse into his world:
