Al Kelman
Al Kelman did not grow up in a home where art or literature were emphasized, nor did he imagine himself on a “creative journey.” His path began unexpectedly at the age of 67, during a trip to the Italian Riviera. Armed with a new digital camera, he returned home and realized he had, in his words, “a computer around my neck that happened to have a lens attached.” Determined to either learn how to use it or give it up, he enrolled in continuing education classes in digital photography at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. What began as curiosity quickly grew into a passion that continues to this day.
Kelman honed his skills through relentless practice, reading extensively, and participating in peer-reviewed workshops, where critique and community deepened his understanding. Though not formally trained, he credits ongoing workshops and mentorship with shaping his work.
Strongly influenced by color photographers such as Ernst Haas, Joel Meyerowitz, Steve McCurry, and William Eggleston, Kelman admires their mastery of composition and their fearless embrace of color when it was once considered “crass.” His own work reflects this commitment to boldness, often defined by vivid palettes and unexpected perspectives.
His process is intuitive yet deliberate: scouting locations, sometimes without a camera, and returning when light and conditions align. Themes recur across his portfolios, but each return visit reveals something new—a philosophy he learned firsthand while photographing red lilies outside his Lake Placid home for weeks, discovering, as Georgia O’Keeffe once said, “It takes time to see.”
Kelman describes himself as a Colorist at heart. His current projects focus on reflections along the Schuylkill River at night and the streams and lakes of the Adirondacks, capturing the extraordinary beauty hidden in ordinary places. For him, success is measured in goosebumps, smiles, invitations to exhibit, and the joy of discovery itself.
His advice to aspiring artists is simple: “Take a lot of pictures, read a lot, ask a lot of questions, and find someone who can critique your work. Your voice will come—it may take time, but it will sneak up on you if you stay curious.”
