David Burnett has been a photojournalist for over forty years. He has worked in more than 75 countries, and photographer every president in the United States since John F. Kennedy.
Burnett has seen many stylistic trends in photojournalism in his lifetime. He sets himself apart from the rest of the crowd by using unconventional cameras. His images have an all together different look and feel then the masses of photojournalists covering the same story. He still seaches for new angles and perspectives, but has an added novelty to his work. He started experimenting with other formats because, "it got to a point a few years ago that everyone in the press was using essentially the same tools... And it isn't that everyone is using them in exactly the same way, but I started to notice a sameness..."
His cameras range from digital SLRs to a plastic toy camera, called a Holga. At first publications such as Time were not very receptive to Burnett's innovative approach to photojournalism. They changed their minds when the images made with his small toy camera were recognized for a photographic exhibit and awards. The camera is known for its idiosyncracies. It leaks light, has faulty film advance features, limited aperature possiblities (f11 for sunny days, f8 for cloudy days), the shutter speed can not be controled by the photographer (locked at approx. 1/100), there is no flash and mo way to attach one, no tripod socket, no interchangable lens, and so on.
Burnett decided to make modifications of his own to the camera, while embracing the personality other "faults" lended to the images he created.
"Ultimately technology is just a tool... It is easy to get caught up with all the gadgets and all the technology, but the most important thing is to be comfortable with the tools you have."
Burnett has taught himself to be comfortable with a versital range of photographic equipment. He is often seen lugging heavy, slow 4x5 Press Speed Grafics from a long ago period in photojournalism. These cameras do not allow a photographer to photograph multiple images in a row. Each frame must be capture on a seperate peice of film which must be loaded into the back of the camera after each exposure. The film is held in individual carrying cases, which the photographer must becareful to keep track of, so as not to expose twice, and not to lose while working.
Burnett feels the challenge has made him a better photogrpaher. He puts more thought into each image before he releases the shutter, because he is not able to make as many images. The ones he does make therefore must capture the correct moment, or he may not get a second chance.
His experience and care has made him a self confident photographer. He often sends images to major magazines he has worked with along with a note saying, "I know you will probably not be able to run this picture, but I wanted you to see what I was up to."
His passion for photography and his sense of humor keep magazine editors interested.
"After a zillion years of being a magazine photographer, there is still nothing I'd rather be doing, except maybe stand-up comedy."