Michael Tighe
Explicit content warning
04/02/21 • 99 min
Trigger warning: This episode does include discussion on sexual abuse and drug addiction.
On this episode of What Makes You Click, Kelvin welcomes Michael Tighe, a portrait photographer and actor based in Los Angeles. Listen in as he tells the story of his quick rise to success, his coming back to photography after recovering from drug addiction, and his transition into acting.
Michael shares how he learned the basics of developing photographs at a young age, sparking a curiosity that has lasted his whole life. He details why he decided to leave the School of Visual Arts, what drove him to make a living as a photographer, and his experience studying with Philippe Halsman, Richard Avedon, and Arnold Newman. Michael describes how he developed his own unique style as a photographer and how he got connected with celebrities, like Andy Warhol, to photograph them, sharing jaw-dropping stories of being a young, talented artist in a sea of ego-driven fame.
Tune in to gain insight into Michael’s experience overcoming drug addiction and homelessness, relapsing, and what caused him to stop doing photography for a living. Plus, he talks about his recent experimentation with acting, why he has become an actor later in life, and the status of his one-man show.
Connect with Michael Tighe:
Visit his website: www.michaeltighe.website
Connect with What Makes You Click:
Visit our website: www.whatmakesyouclick.com
Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/whatmakesyouclickpodcast
Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/whatmakesyouclick
People + Resources Mentioned:
Richard Avedon: www.avedonfoundation.org
Henri Cartier-Bresson: www.henricartierbresson.org
Robert Frank: www.icp.org/browse/archive/constituents/robert-frank
School of Visual Arts: www.sva.edu
Philippe Halsman: www.philippehalsman.com
Magnum Photos: www.magnumphotos.com
Arnold Newman: www.arnoldnewman.com
Yousuf Karsh: www.karsh.org
Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon: www.austinkleon.com/steal
Celebrity Service: www.celebrityservice.com
George Hurrell: https://georgehurrell.com/
George Platt Lynes: www.howardgreenberg.com/artists/george-platt-lynes/featured-works
Andy Warhol: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Warhol
Bianca Jagger: https://www.crfashionbook.com/celebrity/g27042168/bianca-jaggers-secret-moments/
Raging Bull film: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081398/
Francesco Scavullo: www.artnet.com/artists/francesco-scavullo
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron: www.juliacameronlive.com/the-artists-way
Trigger warning: This episode does include discussion on sexual abuse and drug addiction.
On this episode of What Makes You Click, Kelvin welcomes Michael Tighe, a portrait photographer and actor based in Los Angeles. Listen in as he tells the story of his quick rise to success, his coming back to photography after recovering from drug addiction, and his transition into acting.
Michael shares how he learned the basics of developing photographs at a young age, sparking a curiosity that has lasted his whole life. He details why he decided to leave the School of Visual Arts, what drove him to make a living as a photographer, and his experience studying with Philippe Halsman, Richard Avedon, and Arnold Newman. Michael describes how he developed his own unique style as a photographer and how he got connected with celebrities, like Andy Warhol, to photograph them, sharing jaw-dropping stories of being a young, talented artist in a sea of ego-driven fame.
Tune in to gain insight into Michael’s experience overcoming drug addiction and homelessness, relapsing, and what caused him to stop doing photography for a living. Plus, he talks about his recent experimentation with acting, why he has become an actor later in life, and the status of his one-man show.
Connect with Michael Tighe:
Visit his website: www.michaeltighe.website
Connect with What Makes You Click:
Visit our website: www.whatmakesyouclick.com
Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/whatmakesyouclickpodcast
Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/whatmakesyouclick
People + Resources Mentioned:
Richard Avedon: www.avedonfoundation.org
Henri Cartier-Bresson: www.henricartierbresson.org
Robert Frank: www.icp.org/browse/archive/constituents/robert-frank
School of Visual Arts: www.sva.edu
Philippe Halsman: www.philippehalsman.com
Magnum Photos: www.magnumphotos.com
Arnold Newman: www.arnoldnewman.com
Yousuf Karsh: www.karsh.org
Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon: www.austinkleon.com/steal
Celebrity Service: www.celebrityservice.com
George Hurrell: https://georgehurrell.com/
George Platt Lynes: www.howardgreenberg.com/artists/george-platt-lynes/featured-works
Andy Warhol: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Warhol
Bianca Jagger: https://www.crfashionbook.com/celebrity/g27042168/bianca-jaggers-secret-moments/
Raging Bull film: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081398/
Francesco Scavullo: www.artnet.com/artists/francesco-scavullo
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron: www.juliacameronlive.com/the-artists-way
Previous Episode
John Keatley
On this episode of What Makes You Click, Kelvin welcomes John Keatley, an American photographer known for his conceptual fine art and commercial advertising work. John’s interest in creativity began at a very young age. Listen in as he reflects on how his love for photography grew into a successful and impressive career.
John shares the weird conversation he had with the manager of a photo printing store about his photos and how he took her kind affirmations and ran with them. He talks about how he got his first clients while still in college, how he landed his first celebrity clients, and how his entrepreneurial spirit has evolved throughout his life.
Tune in to learn what it was like to photograph the legend herself, Annie Leibovitz, and to gain insight into his relatable experience with imposter syndrome as a freelance artist. Plus, he speaks on the impacts of therapy, teaching, and his intuition in understanding and refining who he is and what his work represents.
“To be genuine is hard to define but I feel what is genuine when I see it.” - John Keatley
Connect with John Keatley:
Visit his website: www.johnkeatley.com
Follow him on Instagram: www.instagram.com/johnkeatley
Connect with What Makes You Click:
Visit our website: www.whatmakesyouclick.com
Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/whatmakesyouclickpodcast
Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/whatmakesyouclick
People + Resources Mentioned:
Chris Buck: www.chrisbuck.com
Peter Yang: www.peteryang.com
Annie Leibovitz: www.instagram.com/annieleibovitz
Portrait referenced of Annie Leibovitz: www.instagram.com/p/BYWaFDLhj4a
Maren Levinson: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1533748/7810657-maren-levinson
Redeye Reps: www.redeyereps.com
Gregg Kreutz: www.greggkreutz.com/gallery
Next Episode
Success Leaves Clues - Kelvin Bulluck
On this episode of What Makes You Click, Kelvin takes a moment to pause and reflect over lessons learned since the podcast launched. He identified five characteristics that each of his guests have shared that have aided in their success as photographers.
Kelvin shares a few examples from select episodes to highlight the five characteristics at play and even shares an example or two of how they have impacted his career.
Tune in to learn exactly what these characteristics are and how they can be used with positive effect!
Connect with What Makes You Click:
Visit our website: www.whatmakesyouclick.com
Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/whatmakesyouclickpodcast
Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/whatmakesyouclick
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