Jonathan Logan: Capturing Baltimore’s Soul Through Portraiture
Download MP3And welcome to the Truth in THis Art, your source for conversations at the intersection of arts, culture, and community. I am your host, Rob Lee. Thank you for joining me. Today, I'm excited to be in conversation with my next guest. He is a Baltimore based photographer known for capturing powerful and evocative images.
Rob Lee:His work focuses on documenting the essence of places and people that make Baltimore unique. Please welcome Jonathan Chaz Logan. Welcome to the podcast. Thanks for having me. Thank you for coming on.
Rob Lee:Thank you for making the time. And, yeah, I think, you know, there's a few things we're we're gonna touch on, but I'd like to before we get into the major topics, I'd like to give you the space to talk about and kinda give your your introduction. I do the cut and paste introduction. You know, people give me something. I put something together.
Rob Lee:I'm cobbling. So for you, give your your introduction and tell us a bit about your work. The floor is yours.
Jonathan Logan:My name is Jonathan Logan. I'm a Baltimore based photographer. I usually focus on portraiture. That's my main focus. Yeah.
Jonathan Logan:I think that's, that's about it. So
Rob Lee:talk talk a bit about, like, where did that focus? And there's a pun in there somewhere. You you mentioned photography and you mentioned the word focus. It feels like there's a joke somewhere in there. Somebody does, like, someone that's smarter than me is, like, I got a pun about photography, focus, and the aperture.
Rob Lee:So but tell us a bit about, like, when you you you first knew you had an interest in photography and, an interest in images and, interest in in art overall?
Jonathan Logan:Well, I think, initially, I wanted to be a comic artist. That's my first introduction to art. Later on, I got into DJing and music production. I kinda bounced around a little bit before I discovered photography. So was there
Rob Lee:was there something early on that was was of interest? Like, was there an image that you saw? It's like, I feel like I can make that. Or I wonder how they go about that process. And I like that you you mentioned comics.
Rob Lee:That was a early thing for me. DJing, not for me, but but rap was for me. There are some rap songs out there from the, oh, from the late nineties, early 2000 that no one show here. So so tell me about, you know, as far as some of those those interests and kind of moving to, you know, where you're at now as far as photography. Like, what you know, was there an image?
Rob Lee:Was there a photographer? What was it something that struck you that, you know, you got bit with the bug? You started to explore a little bit.
Jonathan Logan:I think a pivotal moment for me was when I visited Berlin for the first time, and I went to the Hellman Newton Museum and seeing his work on that scale really blew my mind. I wasn't in the photography yet, but seeing his work was really inspiring. And I think that kind of set off where I'm at now.
Rob Lee:And, you know, just because I'm curious, what what what what comics were you reading earlier? What was the comic thing, Tiggs? I'm curious.
Jonathan Logan:Oh. Oh, that's interesting because I was a Marvel fan. I hated DC. Okay. I hated DC.
Jonathan Logan:I would bypass DC Comics, and he's not my fault of the music. With few exceptions, but for the most part, it was a hardcore mold, Ben.
Rob Lee:Is is there a fictional photographer? This feels like it's a rapid fire question, but is it a fictional photographer that you're like, man, if I could be drawn into this, you know. I don't like the way he's holding his camera as you look at it with this experience now.
Jonathan Logan:I was wondering you mentioned that because Spider Man was my favorite comic, so it's probably some kind of Peter Parker these days. Okay. You're Peter Parker, and then I'm I'm
Rob Lee:I'm gonna look around different parts of Baltimore to see if you, like, having, like, a knapsack web style hanging from a spot. You know, you like trying to solve crimes and such. Good.
Jonathan Logan:Not so much to solve crimes, but definitely a nerdy guy with a camera. That's definitely me. I dig it. So I
Rob Lee:I also read in in going over, you know, you know, some of some of the bio and looking at just sort of different places, you know, LED comes to mind and so on. You know, analog versus digital, you know, that's a debate. Right? That that is something we will have, and, you know, it's just like it's maybe DC Marvel for some people. What do you choose?
Rob Lee:I I know, but this is more so for the audience. What are you choosing more often, and why what's the advantages of choosing the the medium or the mode in which you're you're you're doing your photography at?
Jonathan Logan:Well, there's a few things. I like the delay of gratification in analog. I like not having immediate results. I like to just kinda put it aside and we're saying before I should get the results. I enjoy that part.
Jonathan Logan:I like having the I have like, I like having less explosions to deal with, and that's great for me when it comes to editing. And one of my favorite things is the potential for disaster. So when I actually achieve my results, I'm very happy.
Rob Lee:So and I think that's an interesting thing, right? Like, we live in this this sort of, like, society. Definitely, I'm sure you're gonna have a take on this. You know, we live in a society that's driven by expediency, just getting it out there quick. And I think that care and that sort of, you know, that risk that's there.
Rob Lee:1, you know, if you're shooting on film, there's limited amount. You can't just like, I'm just gonna take 4,000,000 pictures, and we'll see what's good in there. Some attentionality that's there, and there's attention in, care that's paid, towards it, perhaps a bit more than maybe something that that's digital or what have you. Speak on some of those advantages in the realm of, like, social media where a lot of folks are having their work be seen, visually.
Jonathan Logan:One thing sometimes also the other thing with digital is sometimes it's overwhelming. It's just too much information. And I think sometimes people are flooding social media and other, like, outlets with so much information that I think people can't even process it sometimes. So I think sometimes also with analog, it slows me down. And I think it also slows down a viewer too.
Jonathan Logan:So versus me maybe dropping 30 shots, maybe I'll drop 5.
Rob Lee:So in that that effort to drop 5, let's say, for sake sake of argument and and I say that in in doing this. Like, I've made it a point over the years to really, like not to crank them out because I think that there's a it's sort of like the work is is good, but it's not, when you're saying crank it out, it's more of a volume thing. Right? And at a point in this sort of podcast, people were talking about, wow, you were prolific. You're getting out some stuff.
Rob Lee:I was like, I am, but, you know, consciously making an effort to spend a little bit more time on some of the interviews, spending a little bit more time on, you know, the the the time between the interviews, you know, and sort of what those conversations are and spending a bit more time. And, you know, like, let's say if I'm interviewing a bunch of authors. I can't read everybody's book, you know, you know, between interviews. So I've spent some time in reading folks' books and checking out folks' work a little bit more, and it informs some of my questions to some of the interviews a bit more. And it's just like, yo.
Rob Lee:I went from a couple years ago doing almost an interview a day, putting out almost an interview a day to what my goal is next year or next season, literally do 1 per week. So that's like a 6th. You know what I mean? And still the the love and the attention and the and and the the vibe is there, but also trying to do more of the sessions that we were initially gonna do, like, sort of the in person thing. That's that's my analog.
Rob Lee:You know what I mean? Whereas this is good, but it's also, to a degree, informal, maybe closer to that sort of digital. We're going through wires right now. We're not in the same room. So that that's the way that I I see it.
Rob Lee:How does your so did you ever do or do you do digital at all in
Jonathan Logan:Well, see, I kinda have a hybrid setup because I'm still scanning digitally even though I'm shooting analog. And, occasionally, I'll tweak things in Lightroom. So I do have a hybrid setup, but I I may work I think the bulk of my work is analog. The bulk of my workflow is analog.
Rob Lee:So and then the and the other thing I have with, you know, in in in sort of that question, what is how is that how is your your process and your sort of setup evolved, like, you know, during the the time that you've, you know, been in photography? Like, how long have you been in photography? I didn't even ask that.
Jonathan Logan:I think I'm coming up on 7 years now. Okay. Yeah. Not that long, but, hey, I'm still using the same camera that I used when I first started, so that's one thing. And I think that might connect to my past interest in music.
Jonathan Logan:Always love people that stuck with one piece of gear for long periods of time, like a Pete Rock, for example.
Rob Lee:So so you you had the Peter Parker. Another Pete, I hear. You know, Peter Parker, Pete Rock, what what are what are we doing here? What are we doing? So let's let's talk a little bit about, you know, education, like, you know, whether it's the formal or the the self taught.
Rob Lee:And I find, like, you know, we get some sort of formal education, like, with this. Right? You know, I do this. There it wasn't a road map 15 years ago when I started. It was like, oh, you can go into radio and do this.
Rob Lee:I was thinking about broadcasting, and I kinda learned and, again, cobbled together sort of experiences. But really for me, the learning was the reps, the learning was the number of interviews, and the, you know, for for for those or, you know, even yourself that, you know, engage in, like, a physical activity like weight training or exercise in that way. It's just like, alright, you lifting the same amount of weight you were lifting last week. What are you doing? Can you progressively overload?
Rob Lee:That's the way I kind of look at this. It's like, am I trying to interview different types of people? How am I changing my process? How am I changing my preparation? But also getting those that volume of reps in.
Rob Lee:So talk about sort of, you know, the the the, macroly speaking, education for you as a photographer, as a creative macroly, because I know that those other entrances, while maybe you're not engaging in them as regular as photography, but it's still something that you're getting out of them. So so speak on the the sort of education, how that works for you.
Jonathan Logan:Well, in all honesty, it's often informal. Learning through other people, networking with other photographers, taking tips from them, and also just learning on the go. Because I've definitely made a bunch of mistakes in the process because I've been doing it informally. Maybe if I had more like, formal education in photography, maybe I would be a completely different photographer.
Rob Lee:But but I think, you know, with that, doing the the informal and doing it the self the self taught way, you're you're building out your own way of doing it. Right?
Jonathan Logan:Well, I will say that too. I mean, that's one of the benefits when you go this route is that sometimes you kinda create your own style that's more personal versus if you went through a more formal route.
Rob Lee:So when you look back because you said 7 years. I won't don't dismiss the 7 years now. You know? You say 7 years. Do you look back because, you know, if you're if you're do you have the the analog component?
Rob Lee:There is a tangible that's there. Right? When you look back at some of those early, like, images, talk about the progress that you've made from there because, like, those are you so short now. 7 years, you're like, you know, there's a few things here and there, but talk about that a little bit, like, moving from, yeah, I took this first one. I would do this a lot differently now and, you know, or I've learned a lot more or maybe I've
Jonathan Logan:I've gotten worse. Like, talk talk to me
Rob Lee:about about how that works for you over this this time, like, 7 years. I would even stretch it, like, for the better part of a decade.
Jonathan Logan:Well, I think one thing that's improved in my work is my composition as a group. I think those early shots, a lot of them were off, like, maybe exposure wise. And also just they were just boring shots. They didn't really speak to an audience. They didn't speak to me in some cases.
Jonathan Logan:I was just kinda learning the process.
Rob Lee:Yeah. I and I hear that. The and and, you know, definitely wanna dive a little bit further on that because I hear that in going back through like, I've been doing this podcast for about 5 years. And I go back and I look at some listen to it. I didn't even look at it because there was no video, but listen to some of those older interviews.
Rob Lee:I'm like, yo. That question was very limited, or I could have expounded upon that. Almost you ever watch a horror movie or the old when they're saying, yo, don't go in that room.
Jonathan Logan:Me, I'm
Rob Lee:like, don't ask that question. Damn, you asked that question. Why'd you ask that question? Damn, you could have asked a better one. And thinking of it in that way, you you see the progress, but also you you see what the intent is.
Rob Lee:So speak a bit about, you know, you know, some of the period when you realize who you want it to be or what your style of photography was, like, what mattered to you about an image, how how has that changed? Is it the same, like, now as it was maybe when you had that realization?
Jonathan Logan:Well, I think definitely during the pandemic, my style made a shift. I changed my style of portraiture. I started doing more 1 on 1 shots versus maybe doing random street photography. I kind of moved away from that. And now the style that I currently have, I think it started during the pandemic.
Rob Lee:So in starting that that's a big point. That's like an inflection point for a lot of people, especially, like, creatives, especially businesses, and folks really having that time to and again, it goes to one of the things you touched on, being able to slow down a little bit. When folks had that time to slow down, it's like, oh, yeah. That laundry or whatever it might be, now you have a chance to actually look at it. The laundry being that creative practice, that laundry being, hey.
Rob Lee:Let me explore. I got the time on my hands. You know, really, what was that like for you? Like, you know, people on our side, you know, as as much. So it's almost like the environment is is almost captive, but then you did that shift from sort of the, you know, the outside stuff more to the portraiture stuff.
Rob Lee:So talk about that that decision.
Jonathan Logan:Well, initially, I was kind of nervous, of course, for obvious reasons. I was like, I didn't wanna just walk up with random people anymore during the pandemic. I got
Rob Lee:a camera.
Jonathan Logan:Say, I would just, like, walk with yeah. Just walk with all these people. But I think after that, I was like, okay. I can only photograph certain people that I trust, that trust me. So and that kinda changed my style.
Jonathan Logan:I was like, okay. That's more my personality. I'm an introvert. I like speaking 1 on 1 versus shooting a lot of groups of people. And also from an aesthetic standpoint, I don't like shots that are really cluttered.
Jonathan Logan:Like, real minimalistic. I pull things out of a shot, strip things down. So
Rob Lee:It's that thing people talk about when you're you're editing or what have you. That's actually the what what is it called? It's it's the not the notion of editing editing, but the notion of choosing what to omit editing through omission.
Jonathan Logan:It's just like, yeah.
Rob Lee:I'm gonna pull this out. This doesn't hit. You know, this person is the focal point or have you. This person this, part of the image is the focal point.
Jonathan Logan:Well, sometimes people notice because I'm doing it in real time. Like, I'll see something before I release the shutter. I'm like, okay. That's not gonna work. This has to leave.
Jonathan Logan:This has I have to get this out of here.
Rob Lee:So that and that kinda brings me to this question in prep and for Arshad. What is that that main element? Think of something like like super recently because I hear, like, photographers are always photographering. That's not a word, but that is what yeah. I don't you always get that thing on you too.
Rob Lee:So when you're thinking about, let's say, you know, a very recent shot, it may be even something that you're you're editing for sake of argument. You know, thinking back on it, what is the one element? Maybe name the the image or have you, but what's that one element that you really wanted to bring to the forefront in the shot? And, like, what what was the the aim of the story you're trying to tell with the shot? Like, you know, when I'm doing these interviews and even the the questions that I'm crafting, right, is driving to a specific point.
Rob Lee:It's like not just, hey, tell me about your work. Oh, my God. That's so interesting. It's like, but I really want to get to the thinking that's in it, reading into the person's head. So for you, what does that look like for you when you think about that recent shot?
Rob Lee:You know, what were you trying to what was the what were you trying to bring on the image? What are you trying to do in the the telling of that story of that image?
Jonathan Logan:Well, it was a shot that actually occurred, like, last year, but I'm very proud of that kinda set an understanding for myself. Okay. And I've worked with this model that I've worked with multiple times. And I was kinda before I even did the shoot, I was, because a lot of times I'll improvise during my shoots, but this is one where I really thought out a lot beforehand. And I was inspired by Robert Minglethorpe and Edward Weston, those styles.
Jonathan Logan:And I kinda made this mishmash style that was influenced by them. So I think during that shoot, I kinda achieved exactly what it well, for the most part, I achieved exactly what I wanted. I was very proud of that that whole series of shots. I've shared some of them on Instagram, but just so many other shots that I am really, really am proud of from that same shoot that no one's seen yet.
Rob Lee:When you when you when you had Mapplethorpe in there, I'm like, kind of whips we talking about my g? You know?
Jonathan Logan:It was it was there was no, who's involved in this shoot, but I definitely took inspiration from this book that I have by him. It was dedicated to Lisa Lyon, this female bodybuilder. Yeah. I kind of liked his approach to shooting her in that book, because he he kinda, like, used her in different ways, not just well, he used a lot of different costumes. So
Rob Lee:Yeah. Yeah. My my partner put me on to, Maplethorpe. I was like, oh, okay. Cool.
Rob Lee:Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That was great. That was great.
Rob Lee:And, you know, as I'm one to do, when when when folks are, like, dropping sort of references or what have you, I'm typing it in. I was like, oh, yeah, I see it now. I see what you're referring to, so that's great. So this is a question I tend to ask folks, especially photographers, because I find like, you know, for a long time and a lot of times in these conversations, I find that that perspective, the photographer's perspective is a very interesting one because it's like you're looking and noticing. That's one of the the key things and, like, alright, what am I trying to capture here?
Rob Lee:What what what's interesting about this? So when you're creating, when you're setting up a shot, when you're, you know, even going through like even the ideation of it, like, Okay, I want to shoot this. I want to shoot here. This is sort of the idea When you get to that stage of going through what you have and as you you touched on, you know, there's an intentionality that's there, you know, it has to slow you down, things of that nature. What separates a good image from a great one?
Rob Lee:Is there something that instantly clicks that, yeah, I got that, you know, or is it something like, I might wanna look back at that. I might wanna do that again, you know, I feel like something wasn't quite there, maybe something was slightly off, but sort of what separates image quality from your perspective, and, how do you how do you know that? What's that click? What's that feeling?
Jonathan Logan:I mean, there have been times in the moment where I'm like, okay. This is gonna work. But a lot of times, I'm doubting myself a lot of times during my shoots. I'm like, I'm I thought this was gonna work. I mean, I would like for it to work, but sometimes I don't it doesn't click until I get back and I start editing.
Jonathan Logan:I'm like, oh, oh, yeah. This is exactly what I wanted. That's, like, part of my process is the editing process.
Rob Lee:Has that gotten easier in building that confidence through reps? Is it that that moment? I ask that very selfishly because if I spend time away from doing this process, doing these interviews and so on, you know, I'm a shy extrovert. So I I I'm getting your introvert vibes. I'm I'm hearing you, but it's just like, I'm I'm shy and, you know, my my partner, Ramon, she's like, you all be liking people.
Rob Lee:I was like, I like the people I like, though. She's like, they had a lot of people, though. So but I find when I'm in the groove and I almost immediately it's rare, but it's almost immediate that I can tell whether this interview is gonna go good, whether the person's getting it, whether they're a quote unquote good dance partner, you know, for the conversation. And sometimes I'll get that instantaneously. Other times, I'll get it at the very end.
Rob Lee:I'm like, oh, this is recency effects. Like, wow, man. I feel real good about this. And there are other times where it doesn't go as well as I think it did or as well as I hoped it did, and it's it's it's never like, you know, the guests sucked or whatever. It's more like, damn, I did not do a good job.
Rob Lee:And luckily, I have another set of ears and, eyes that are checking everything. My editor, and he was like, no. He's like, that's a good interview. He's like, I don't know what you're talking about, but I I I don't feel it in the beginning. And then upon relistening to it, I'm like, oh, no.
Rob Lee:This was good. So talk about that that building of confidence because, you know, sometimes it's a cruel beast when you're you're putting out stuff and you're you're working with people. You're doing portraiture. I'm doing these interviews, and you're like, damn, this could go left. So how how do you build that confidence up to kinda keep doing it?
Rob Lee:Because it's, you know, it's it can it's tough.
Jonathan Logan:Well, I feel like I owe it to myself. Like, this is also, for me, a way of it's almost like psychotherapy. Like, I'm dealing with anxiety issues, all that kind of stuff when I do therapy. So I can't really put it down because, again, that's part of my therapy.
Rob Lee:So it's almost like a version of, like, a version of exposure therapy as I am.
Jonathan Logan:Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it's like I'm a worker with anxiety issues. So I'm confronting the data gives me anxiety like other human beings.
Rob Lee:When I have to do a pod in person, yo, it is is a different vibe, and it's just like, alright. I'm glad I didn't eat anything because I got the I got the Bee Gees, and I'm trying to stay alive if if if you get my my bed there. So I feel like, yo. But it it is is I definitely relate to that. And, you know, it's it's almost the assumption too.
Rob Lee:Right? Where folks will say, man, you have to be good at this, man. You do this all the time. I was like, no. This is a different thing.
Rob Lee:Like, I talk about the monitor or the computer screen saying, you know, this is a protective barrier from the world for me, where if it's in person while it's a different environment, it's a little pre work to kind of get everyone comfortable. Like, get me comfortable, get the guests comfortable before just going into a lot of stuff. Because even talking about your work, you live in your experience and so on. Right? But it's something that's a vulnerability that's there.
Rob Lee:And it's just like, you know, I've got to talk about this. Like, I just I just kind of do it. I only like talking about my work, you know? So I definitely relate. So one of the things this this podcast is about is authentic storytelling.
Rob Lee:That's that's what the aim is. So I'm curious about how, you know, you want to maybe in the future as you progress into sort of the next stage, the next year, the next 5 or however you wanna look at it, you know, through photography and, like, really, you know, again, you know, thinking about specific image, but specific images. But is there, you know, something that you're you're thinking of in your head that you haven't quite that you haven't done yet, but you're like, okay. I wanna explore that. I wanna look at, you know, when people are thinking about their next work, their next ideas, like I was touching on, I'm gonna do 50 next year to sort of the number, and I have a very specific theme that I wanna do and certain things that I wanna do within it.
Rob Lee:We're months away from even going down that road, but it's at least here, and I know which angles I wanna take with it. So for you through through your medium, through your work, you know, what are you curious about? What do you wanna explore, like, moving forward? Because you did that shift. We're 5 years in that shift now.
Rob Lee:So let's let's talk about it.
Jonathan Logan:Well, one thing I'm working on currently is my first photo book. That's something I've about. I'm actually I was trying to finish it, like, 2 years ago. And I kept putting it off because I'm also wrestling with, like, being a perfectionist. Mhmm.
Jonathan Logan:I was like, this isn't it. This isn't it. And then finally, I was like, no. This is time to get this out of here, like, so you can move forward. So I'm trying to wrap that up.
Jonathan Logan:So tell tell
Rob Lee:us tell us about as much as you can share because, you know, perfectionist. I I I know how y'all are progressing. Yeah. I do I do the same thing. So, you know, like, when you you think about that, like, about how how much how far you finished.
Rob Lee:You're 80?
Jonathan Logan:Oh oh, it's done. It's done. I mean, I got a test copy Okay. This is from, like, from Blurb. They sent me a test copy of the book, and I'm satisfied.
Jonathan Logan:There was, like, one typo, but besides that, I'm satisfied.
Rob Lee:You go on there. You just, what, realigning it? Yeah. Fix that typo. Tighten it up.
Rob Lee:I was like, you wrote that. Like, yeah. But you edited it, so sort it. I mean, it was my fault.
Jonathan Logan:So, I mean, I just have to tweak that
Rob Lee:and send it back out. So as as far as as far as the as far as the the the book, what what stands out is there? Because you you touched on the that one image from, you know, previously that really you know, you just felt really proud of from from this book as you, you know, are getting towards that that finish line of, like, this is gonna be out there in the world, right, which is a very it's one of those things of, like, shit. I gotta I gotta really think about when I'm putting something out there. Right?
Rob Lee:What was one image or series of image or even a time frame? Like, talk about sort of the time frame of even the images in the book. You know, give us a little bit more on that and, you know, what sticks out that you're really, like, this is special. I'm really happy about them, and I'm really proud about this particular period in this this book.
Jonathan Logan:Well, the book is almost in my eyes, it's almost like the photography equivalent of a compilation album because that's my work. It's from 2019 to about 2022. So you kinda see the progression of my work, and it's all dedicated to my portraiture work, but in that time frame.
Rob Lee:So you have the better part of, you know, 3, 4 years of of work or what have you, or do you have, like, that that thing that people put in there? 19, 22, and then wait for the next volume. You know?
Jonathan Logan:No. No. No. No. No.
Jonathan Logan:I didn't I didn't do that, though. I mean
Rob Lee:Look. Look. I'll I'll look. I'm waiting for it. I'm waiting for it.
Rob Lee:I'll be strolling around, like, going to different places. Like, yeah. That's that's John's book. And so if if you're if you're describing, you know, sort of your your personal style, you know, whether it be photography, whether it be as a person that's enjoying an image. You know, like, again, thinking about it from this perspective that not only am I a podcast I don't listen to a lot of podcasts, specifically interview podcasts, but I do enjoy I do I enjoy fiction podcasts.
Rob Lee:You know, we're recording this in October. I listen to a lot of horror podcasts, and I'm like, yeah. Let's get it. And I I appreciate those Macondo saw in some ways. So, you know, there's a certain sensibility that I look for in the media that I consume.
Rob Lee:So for for you, you know, are there other photographers that you look out to locally that you admire, that you've learned from, and what is it about, you know, sort of how they go about things? You mentioned, you know, Mapplethorpe earlier, but, you know, you know, locally, what is it about maybe their style or even the way that they conduct themselves as a photographer that maybe you've taken something from and you admire? Because we're remixes. We're all remixes of something. Yeah.
Jonathan Logan:Definitely that. It was previously, when I was in the production, I was very much sample based, so I was always pulling from outside sources. But as far as, like, local photographers, there's a few, and I'm not gonna miss some names in the process of mentioning them. But I would say, like, Sydney Allen is 1. I would say Josh Sinner is another one.
Jonathan Logan:Patrick Patrick Giles is another one. The list goes on and on. I mean, that's one of my favorite things about this city is the group all the great photographers out here.
Rob Lee:I got 2 of the 3. I've interviewed 2 of the 3. So we're out here.
Jonathan Logan:Okay. Okay.
Rob Lee:And, so, you know, that's that's a good point. You know, I want to get this taken. This sort of the last real question before I move into some of these rapid fire ones that everyone gets so nervous about. What is it, you know, about, like, being a artist in Baltimore? You're touching on it a bit there from a photography standpoint, but, you know, even collaborative, like, as you you said, you're you're you're you're taking, images.
Rob Lee:You're you're doing portraiture of of folks that are around. Right? So some people like, I don't take my picture, you know? So talk about sort of that creative energy that's here that, you know, it's it's an openness. I think that certain places have the other places don't always hear like, you know, if we see you doing good stuff or down to support and be a part of said good stuff.
Rob Lee:So what is your experience been as a person? As you said, you know, you're you're 7 years and you did that pivot in 2019 of what your style is and what the sort of focus of your work. What has that been like being a photographer here? You've you've touched on, you know, working with other photographers, but just being in the creative scene, macroly speaking. What has that been like for you, specifically Baltimore?
Jonathan Logan:Well, my favorite thing about Baltimore is the black population here. There's so many black artists in. That's really inspiring to see that, to see other black people that look like you do great stuff. Niagara City has that. Niagara City has that demographic.
Rob Lee:You're you're able to and the the photography play with the different shades of color. There's like, oh, I got the blacks even blacker here, or there's a nice contrast here. That's that's that's a good point. And and I think in in doing this, it it enables you know, I think it's almost like in an open audience, almost an available audience. It's like, oh, someone takes my work serious, or someone is interested in taking a photo of me or or work with me in this capacity.
Rob Lee:I think that that's one of the things that's that's there too. So I I wanna move into the the fun part for me. Not for you. I don't know if it's a it's gonna go a lot for you. This is the rapid fire portion.
Rob Lee:So I got 3 rapid fire questions for you, and don't overthink these. As I tend to tell folks, it's just, you know so who is the most fascinating person you you photographed?
Jonathan Logan:Oh, I was like Uh-huh. Yeah. Right now. I'm, like, thinking of it. I'm, like, going through my rolodex with people.
Jonathan Logan:I just got it's like So
Rob Lee:it was an opportunity to name drop. Like, yeah, it was this one time where I got it was like, alright. Then cool. It's almost the same way, and I'm I'm patting to give you, you know, time to think on it. But it is this thing where when I when I do interviews, the folks say, what was your funniest interview?
Rob Lee:I was like, who's your boss? Like, yo. Well, I I do have that one though or who was the person that had you like scratch your head about like, I do have an answer for that one as well. But, when someone is fascinating, it's I I think it's something about like, do you do you connect? It's like I was touching on earlier when you know almost instantaneous.
Rob Lee:It's like, yo, I don't even care about the interview right now. It's like, yo, you seem cool as hell. Let's let's, you know, let's let's chop it up. Let's have a coffee or beer or something. Yeah.
Rob Lee:So when you think about it, who who is fascinating for you? Maybe maybe the photos were great, but it's like, who is fascinating? It's like, yo, I'm learning something. This person's a teacher or something.
Jonathan Logan:I'm thinking now. I can't just We'll come back to it. We can come back to it. Okay. Give me a little time.
Rob Lee:Alright. This this one might be might be a bit like a bit easier. I think for for you because well, maybe not because some people don't remember what happened in the morning. But what is one thing that you have to do when you start your morning? Like some people have to get that cup of coffee.
Rob Lee:The morning has an activate into coffee or gym or other things. Some people are wicked bakers, whatever it might be. But, what is that one thing that you have to do to truly get the day started?
Jonathan Logan:I'm a habitual tea drinker. Like, that's a daily thing for me. Always have to drink tea.
Rob Lee:Favorite tea?
Jonathan Logan:I love Earl Grey. I mean, I'm a I haven't drank it lately, but that's one of my favorites.
Rob Lee:I like Earl Grey as well. I like Earl Grey. Yeah. It's it's the Bergamot. I had a nickname for a little while, Bobby Bergamot.
Jonathan Logan:I was like, I'll tell you.
Rob Lee:When and I've had this happen on this podcast where I'll have someone who's a, like, a photographer or even, like, a portrait artist. Right? And, you know, doing a visual thing, and they're like they're looking at, like, my face in my gestures. Just like, yeah. I would cut I would paint you in this color or I would frame you out in this way, brother.
Rob Lee:I'm like, I didn't notice what we were doing. So when you're you're you see a person, right, and you're like, they might be a good person as a subject for for an image or what have you. What's one thing that you always notice about a person? You know, using your photography, like, background? What is one thing you always notice about a person's, like, visual, their aesthetic?
Jonathan Logan:Sometimes it's something that I'm drawn to is, like, people's personality. Certain personality types of the, like, I'm drawn to. Like, I'm fascinated by Edgar Burt's and people that are performers, because that's the complete opposite of what I am. And I'm just fascinated by people like that. Like, how do you do that?
Jonathan Logan:Like, how do you get on stage in front of a bunch of people?
Rob Lee:Yep. Yeah. I, yeah, I I look at it. I side eyed a little bit. I was like, oh, no.
Rob Lee:It's it's work for me to do it, as I was touching on earlier. But when I see folks that naturally back flip on stage, I'm like, alright. Settle down. You got it. Alright.
Rob Lee:So we're we're back to that first question. You know, you were taught you and it was a good segue back to that first question of, you know, sort of, like, seeing people who have that sort of extrovert skill.
Jonathan Logan:Yeah. So let's talk about
Rob Lee:the fascinating person. Is there anyone that comes to mind? And we can always swap the question out to it for a different question.
Jonathan Logan:Well, I can name drop again. I mean,
Rob Lee:I'm here for it. I'm sitting. You know?
Jonathan Logan:A person that I work with pretty often, Shannon Carroll, is one of my favorite people to shoot. Because I feel like no matter what, we always get good work. I can't say that about everybody in that work group, but I would say that, yeah, our success rate is pretty good. We're, like, we really played off with each other.
Rob Lee:That's good. That's good. So now I have a I have a bonus question for you. I have a bonus question because, you know, I'm gonna bring you back to your comic roots. Favorite Spider Man movie?
Rob Lee:Go.
Jonathan Logan:See, that's the thing. I'm, I'm kind of stickler. Like, when I watch comic movies, I start nitpicking. I'm like, he can't he can't be Wolverine. He's too tall.
Jonathan Logan:Like, that's the kind of stuff that I do when I watch I treat it like literature. Like, I treat it like fine literature. And I'm just like, oh, bad. Yeah. That doesn't make sense.
Jonathan Logan:I mean, as far as, like, comic movies, and this is kinda off topic a little bit. Well, it's on topic, but it's away from Marvel. Like, Sin City is the one of few comic movies where I'm like, oh, that's great. I think word for word, adaptation, perfect.
Rob Lee:I like Sin City a lot. That that was, you know, up there for me for a long time. My, my aesthetic and my goal in life was to be Marv. We'll talk about that at a different time. But, yeah, that's, that's there.
Rob Lee:And I and I I have my I rally at times against, like, fanboydom and fangirleddom because just, you know, like, sometimes there are bad instances where it's too much producer production company involved, and it's obviously right there. There might be a movie that's out right now that seems to have, pieces of that involved. But then in other instances where it's just like, you know, maybe because of doing this and being around arts a bit more, it's like how did how do these things get made? They have to make sense, you know. So it's that at times, but definitely, I I play with the the I play with the thought around the adaptations like, alright, is this a good at adaptation?
Rob Lee:We don't like about it. Where does it fall at on the barometer? And, you know, I've I've had these fights online with different folks years ago. Not not now because I was I don't care about it now, but I'm just like, yeah. And, you know, some of these characters have a rich, rich history.
Rob Lee:Do we wanna go all the way back? Because a lot of them are racist in the back in the day, back in the day. So how far do they go back?
Jonathan Logan:That's a good point.
Rob Lee:So the the yeah. I'll go off my soapbox when it comes to that. I did a I did a cartoon thing not too long ago, so I'm I'm I'm in the the mind frame. But, so so thank you, dude, for for coming on and spending some time with me. And, there's there's 2 things I wanna do, but actually one thing now that I wanna do as we wrap up.
Rob Lee:1, I wanna give you, you know, sort of the the the one thing and give you the the space to share with folks where they can check your workout on socials, website, anything along those lines. But, basically, it's the shameless plug portion. So promote away. Tell folks where to check your workout at.
Jonathan Logan:You can find my work currently on Instagram. My screen name is Java Chaz Logan. Yeah. That's for the time being, that's the only place you can find my work.
Rob Lee:And there you have it, folks. I wanna again thank Jonathan Chaz Logan for coming on to the podcast and telling us a bit about his story. And for Jonathan Chaz Logan, I am Rob Lee saying that there's art, culture, and community in and around your neck of the woods. You've just got to look for it.
