Richard Weinstein doing what he does best – taking pains in order to create great beauty. Photo by Richard Weinstein.
What is it that drives certain people to create greatness: to write a stunning symphony, choreograph an unforgettable dance, or cook a superlative meal?
Extraordinary talent is a given. Without it, nothing extraordinary can be made. But, surely, it also has everything to do with passion.
Authors write and re-write at their keyboards in order to craft compelling stories; artists torment themselves over using a particular shade of orange; and movie-makers shoot, re-shoot and edit scenes scores of times in order to create the right atmosphere. This is the grind that everyone of greatness endures – and it is very demanding work.
What allows those creatives to continue through this grind is the passion within that compels them to rise above mediocrity and achieve great things.
These extraordinary people care about their reputations. They care about the quality of their work, and they care about the subjects with which they deal.
And so it is with Richard Weinstein, a superlative photographer based in Sydney, Australia.
He grew up in South Africa and, as a youngster using humble equipment, he carved out the beginnings of a career because he saw things differently; felt things that others did not; and captured parts of history that were important to him and others.
We first collaborated on the book Making the Cut: The Power and Passion behind a Tailoring Dynasty. The precision of his work struck me immediately: the superb lighting, the thoughtful styling, and the willingness to take pains to get it right.
But what was in even greater evidence was his innate humanity. A gentle and patient man, he is a delight with which to work and the finished results he produces are always exceedingly beautiful.
The reason he can do this is because of his immense capacity for passion and compassion. Richard Weinstein genuinely loves people, he loves nature, and he loves beauty in its many forms. That's why his work is superlative. That's why he does things well.
That's also why we have become collaborators and our work together continues. His superb specially commissioned photographic essays feature in the new book Elfin: The Spirit of Speed. In this publication, he has photographed dozens of Elfin sports and racing cars, many in studio situations, to great effect. The result – to be unveiled later this year – is stunning.
You can learn more about Richard Weinstein's photography by visiting his website, where you will find a beautiful selection of his work, including portraiture, food, fashion and jewellery.
What are your favourite Richard Weinstein photos?
Richard Weinstein has a number of specialities – including portraiture and fashion. His jewellery photography is particularly exquisite. Photo by Richard Weinstein.