Subscriber Spotlight; Dan Katz
Dan Katz, a retired adman from Northridge, California, transformed his post-2021 retirement into a captivating venture as a fine-art photographer. Specializing in figure photography, he found a unique angle during the pandemic—underwater photography in his own pool.
With a lifelong passion for the camera, Dan embraces the naked human form as his purest artistic expression, navigating the delicate balance between sensuality and creativity. Collaborating with standout models like Ursula Maria and Denisa Strakova, he draws inspiration from both classical greats like Edward Weston and modern visionaries such as Helmut Newton.
Dan's lens captures the profound beauty of the human body, seamlessly blending tradition and contemporary flair.
Dan Katz
Who are you, where are you from, and what is it that you do?
I'm Dan Katz, a retired adman, living in Northridge, California. Since retirement in 2021, I spend most of my free time as a fine-art photographer working largely within the genre of figure photography. During the pandemic, I couldn't shoot in my studio so I discovered how to do underwater photography in my pool - which is a large part of my work now.
Why do you do what you do, and what is it that you are most passionate about?Â
I've had a camera in my hand since I was 8. I've always enjoyed the photographic greats (Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Minor White, etc.) But only as I neared retirement did I take fine art photography seriously as something to do for myself.
At the same time, I tried my hand at figure photography and discovered that I truly loved doing this work, as I found the naked human body to be the purest form of art.
Is there something you have learned about yourself or society because of the work you create?
Like most male kids entering their teens in the 60s and 70s, I loved stealing a glance at Playboy magazine as often as I could. But over the course of time, especially as I began my photographic journey, I discovered that there's a world of difference between sex and sensuality, between carnality and creativity - even if the two occasionally merge.
Still, sadly, some people will just look at what I do and see an "old guy with a girl and a camera," missing the point entirely.
Who is your favourite model you worked with, and why?
I've been blessed to have so many wonderful models to work with. But a few I've had the honor and pleasure of working with multiple times, including Ursula Maria (IG @ursula_maria_), Denisa Strakova (@denisastrakovaofficial), Brooke Evangeline (@brookevangeline), Hadley Victoria (@thehadleyvictoria) and Liv Youngers (@olivyum).
Which artist do you admire the most or has been an example or mentor to you and why?
From the perspective of nude photography, certainly I've been inspired by the great masters: Edward Weston, Ruth Barnhard, Irving Penn and Richard Avedon.
But also Helmut Newton (IG @helmut_newton_photography); Albert Watson (@albertwatsonphotography); and Peter Coulson (@petercoulson) and Thomas Holm (@commando.art), both of whose workshops and tutorials have been invaluable to me.
What is your most favourite artwork you created?
My favorite work is "Creation" an underwater abstraction.
Where can we find more of you online?Â
I'm on Instagram @thatzkatz, my website is www.DanKatzPhotography.com and my work is on ModelSociety (modelsociety.com/Photographer/thatzkatz).
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