Talking Photos

What will Dante learn in his interview with Mr. Salinas?

1 “Thanks for taking the time to meet with me, Mr. Salinas,” said Dante, reaching out to shake the photographer’s hand.

2 “I’m happy to do it,” replied Mr. Salinas. “I love to talk about my work, and as patient as my family is, I’m sure they still get a little tired of hearing about it all of the time. ”

3 “I brought a voice recorder with me,” said Dante, holding up the small black box. “Would it be all right with you if I recorded our conversation?” he asked. “That way, I won’t be distracted by taking notes, and I can transcribe it later. ”

4 “That sounds good to me,” said Mr. Salinas. He settled into his chair and took a sip of bottled water. “I’m ready when you are,” he said.

5 Dante Carter: When did you first know that you wanted to be a photographer?

6 Edward Salinas: It wasn’t until I had already graduated from college. I was teaching high school English, and I decided to take a photography class just for fun. The class was at a community arts center in downtown Seattle, Washington. It completely changed my life. I went back to school a year later to begin working on a degree in photography. 7 DC: Who has been your greatest influence?

8 ES: Well, I have been lucky to have had several wonderful mentors who encouraged and inspired me. After I completed my photography degree, I had a year-long internship with a very talented photographer named Elizabeth Chu. For the most part, she documented people’s lives through photography. She had an amazing ability to capture so much character and personality in a single image.

9 DC: What other photographers do you admire?

10 ES: There are so many, I’m not even sure where to begin. The work of Walker Evans is extraordinary. He is probably best known for his photographs showing the poverty of life in the South during the 1930s. There is a very timeless and human aspect to his work. Alfred Stieglitz was influential in promoting the work of photographers as artists. His images of New York during the first part of the 20th century are stunning.

11 DC: What do you find most rewarding about your job?

12 ES: I suppose I’m most grateful that it doesn’t feel like a job to me, even though it can often be hard work. There are plenty of frustrations when photos don’t turn out the way I had anticipated. But documenting life and nature and beauty is very gratifying. I can’t imagine anything else I’d rather do.

13 DC: Mr. Salinas, this has been really helpful. Thank you for meeting with me and sharing so much about your experiences. I’d like to be a photographer one day myself. Your comments were inspiring.

14 ES: I wish you the best of luck, Dante. From what I’ve seen, you have the motivation and ability to succeed at just about anything you put your mind to.

Spectrum Reading Grade 6

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1. Why does Dante want to record his interview with Mr. Salinas?

2. What job did Mr. Salinas have before he became a photographer?

3. Name two people who have influenced Mr. Salinas’s work.

4. What does Mr. Salinas like about his job?

Circle the word that best completes each sentence below.

5. Mr. Salinas was _______________ with the work of Alfred Stieglitz and Walker Evans.

uninterested impressed disappointed

6. Dante’s questions for Mr. Salinas were _______________ .

irritating encouraging thoughtful

7. Mr. Salinas _______________ that his work can be frustrating at times.

mentioned aspired demanded

8. After his interview with Mr. Salinas, do you think that Dante will still want to become a photographer? Explain your answer.

9. List three adjectives you could use to describe Dante in this story.

Spectrum Reading Grade 6

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