An exhibition that opened uplift night in New York City, Atom Moore “Watch Portraits” will run through the entire month of September at the Sacred Gallery in New York. Our good friend and colleague, Michael Thompson over at IW Magazine spoke to Moore about his work, and we bring you a portion of that interview and article here. Just remember, this exhibition is on a clock and you only have until the 26th of September to visit.
Writes Thompson:
Acclaimed photographer and watch enthusiast Atom Moore, who can be seen every Wednesday evening hunched over a Leica and a light box shooting watches at RedBar New York’s ‘honeycomb hideout,’ will display many of his finest timepiece photographs through the month of September at Sacred Gallery in New York.
Moore, whose images can be seen online and in print in many timepiece publications (including iW), at vintage online dealer analog/shift and on his own site atommoore.com, will display large-sized prints of his macro watch images plus many new timepiece ‘Mashup’ images, in which Moore artistically manipulates a watch image to unusual effect.
International Watch met with Moore as he set up the exhibit yesterday at Sacred Gallery (424 Broadway, 2nd floor). He explained how he began photographing watches, how he chose what to show at the exhibit– and which watch he’d still like to place on his own wrist one day.
1) Where did the idea for Watch Portraits originate?
Watch Portraits is a concept I have been working on for a while. I first became inspired to create this concept when I started photographing for vintage watch retailer analog/shift. Getting the chance to hear the stories behind vintage watches and their origins made me want to photograph them as if I was taking their portrait. Often vintage watches are weathered in a way that is similar to the portrait of someone who has lived their life to the fullest.
2) When did you begin taking pictures of watches?
In the last few years I have gotten close with New York City’s RedBar Crew. Going to the collector meet ups and being able to really get serious about taking photos of watches there allowed me to hone my skills in macro watch photography. Prior to my involvement with RedBar and analog/shift, I photographed watches and jewelry for several online retailers.
3) What types of photography have you done in the past?
I really enjoy photography in general. When I travel to a new place I love doing landscapes. I love portraiture and photographing people. Still life photography is great because I can control all aspects of what I am doing: lighting, composure, and the subject itself.
You can read the complete article –with nearly a dozen great questions and answers — at IW Magazine, or– better yet — visit the exhibition.
