Art & Life with Michael Wilhelmi

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Wilhelmi.

Michael, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I was a full or part time musician for most of the 1970’s and early 1980’s playing electric and string bass in lounges, at weddings, at parties, etc. with various groups. My ambition was to eventually become a full time jazz musician but this never happened. I have always been interested in photography and art so when my musical activities faded out in the 1980’s I began to replace music with doing photography myself as an artistic outlet. I was very lucky to have an excellent basics class taught by former White House and Life magazine photographer Myron Davis who, as I look back, gave very good advice. One of his best recommendations, which I’ve followed through on, was to become an Art Institute Of Chicago member in order to view and learn about art in general.

Currently, after many years as a computer programmer, I devote much of my time to photography. I feel that Chicago offers endless opportunities to photograph the city’s people, places and events. I also photograph extensively while traveling outside the city.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
My artwork consists entirely of photographs. It is primarily of people, places and events captured in what I call is a journalistic style with a use of, but without a heavy emphasis on, such tools as Photoshop. I try to keep things as simple as possible both with equipment and processing.

My hope is that in photographing Chicago I can show the positive side of the city both to its residents and to those who do not live here. When I photograph while traveling my goal is to show those places’ positive aspects as well.

How do you think about success, as an artist, and what do quality do you feel is most helpful?
I define success as an artist as when the artist’s work has reached a point where it emotionally and intellectually satisfies the person who has made it. No other person has to relate to the artist’s work but I feel that is very likely that if the artist honestly finds a work satisfying other people will as well. It follows from this that a successful artist needs to be a strong individual who embodies the Shakespeare quote ‘to thine own self be true’.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
In the past I had several solo exhibitions of foreign travel at the now defunct camera store Helix and I also participated in a group photo show at Chicago’s city hall. I had several photos published in the ‘Capture My Chicago’ books. At this time the best place to see my work is online with 500PX at 500px.com/michaelwilhelmi.

Contact Info:

• Website: 500px.com/michaelwilhelmi
• Email: Wilhelmiphotos@gmail.com

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