I do not have a mentor. A mentor to me is a master you speak to and get advice from on a regular basis.
I get my inspiration by looking at the images by the masters; books, exhibitions etc. Hard to name one or a few only because they are so numerous. No one named and no one forgotten.
My Father when I was younger, he was an avid photographer when I was growing up he stopped shooting in the late 80's. I learned a lot back then but forgot a lot too. I've been slowly getting better again these past few years that I've picked it back up really. I'v always had Slr's but for over 10 years didn't shoot much at all.
The first book I read that I still have is John Shaw's [I] The Nature Photographers Complete Guide To Professional Field Techniques[/I] Which is out of print now, but I still have my copy and look at it occasionally.
So I really don't have a "mentor" really any more but for inspiration there are a ton of great photographers on here that I would love to have their talent.
richard avedon
helmut newton
Henri Cartier Bresson
all to me worked within their absolute limits, and basics. Avedon shot in studio action shoots on 8x10, on location with a rolleiflex TLR, newton shot on location with an old hassie w/ standard lens, plaubel makina 67 or fuji rangefinder. Henri Cartier Bresson taught me the magic of timing and balance. He also was limited in gear, rangefinder and a lens, film. To me, photography isn't about the gear, although some may think we get geeky with it, it's about getting the shot, at the right time, the one shot. I also have a very deep love for b/w photography.
