It has become clear, over time, that my favorite photographer is Fan Ho. If I need inspiration, energy, or a fresh perspective, I find myself returning to his work. I marvel at what he did so many years ago, and how innovative, contemporary, dynamic and emotional his images continue to be.

His cinematic camera angles, brilliant aspect ratios and crops, tonal separation and luminosities, occasional staging, a few flipped images and absolutely wonderful dark room processing all speak to his creativity. He was far ahead of his time, technically.

His real genius, though, was taking that mastery beyond the technical to capture the character of the times, the locations and the people. What has fascinated me over and over again, is that if you removed the principal people, the characters, from the frames they were still beautifully composed, compelling images by themselves. Flawless spacing, balance, motion and depth, these were the gorgeous backdrops he created to always be telling a story. Clearly, he composed and waited, capturing the proverbial "decisive moment" as well or better than any before or since. All with a simple Rollie.

The irony that a "street" photographer is the inspiration for one who almost never photographs people is not lost on me. I think what touches me most is that he achieved such wonderful work with simple, basic techniques. The creative genius side? Now that's another matter.