June 16 Program: Life Before Photoshop presented by Joe Baraban

Let me start with a quick question: How many of you have ever taken a photo and thought, “Don’t worry—I’ll fix it later”?

Be honest… we’ve all done it. A little exposure tweak here, a crop there, maybe remove a distraction or two—and suddenly that “almost” shot becomes a keeper. Today, that’s just part of photography.

But there was a time—not all that long ago—when that safety net simply didn’t exist. Fast forward to photography before Adobe meant Photoshop, and you find a similar kind of simplicity—though maybe “simplicity” isn’t quite the right word. Maybe discipline is better.

Photographers had to slow down. They had to really see the light, anticipate the moment, and understand their equipment inside and out. Composition wasn’t something you refined later—it was something you got right in the viewfinder. Exposure wasn’t adjustable with a slider—it was locked in the instant you pressed the shutter. Because when you did get it right—when everything came together in that single frame—it felt like you’d actually accomplished something. There was no question about where the credit belonged. It was your eye, your timing, your judgment.

And maybe that’s why, despite all the challenges, so many photographers look back on that time with a certain fondness. It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t more efficient. But in many ways, it was more intentional.

Was it harder? Absolutely.  And yes… it was a whole lot of fun & rewarding.

Enjoy an evening with Joe Barbaran, our guest speaker, as he shares his photography journey, insights and experiences from the days before Photoshop and how today’s digital photographers should incorporate the same principles & photography goals of getting it right in the camera.

About Joe Baraban

After receiving his BA in Journalism, with a minor in art, Joe moved to Houston, Texas. Having an older sister living there, he figured it would be a good place to start a career; especially if he ever needed a free meal.

For the past forty years, Joe has shot for clients from Coca-Cola to Hennessy, Cessna to Boeing, and IBM to Microsoft; his resume also includes most of the Fortune 500 companies. He has photographed the full line automotive brochures for Acura, Saturn, and Range Rover. He has worked on campaigns for Jaguar, Ford, Toyota, Buick, and just about every vehicle with four wheels. Two-wheel advertising campaigns included BMW, Honda, and Kawasaki

His honors include two gold medals in the New York Art Director’s show. Gold medals in the national Addys, Houston and Dallas shows, Photo Design, Studio Magazine’s premier award, and the Don Belding award in Los Angeles. His photography is in Texas Monthly’s 100 best photographs, and he has been on Adweek’s Southwestern All Star Team.

Joe has had feature articles written about him in Communication Arts Magazine (including the cover), Photo Design (including the cover), Design, Japan’s premier magazine (including the cover), and Studio Magazine. Joe’s work has repeatedly appeared in Communication Arts, Graphis, and The Mead Annual Report Show.

Several pieces of Joe’s series entitled “Window Dressings”, are now in the permanent photography collection of The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas.