John R. Waddle Luthier

Photography / Print Design

John R. Waddle is a violin, viola, and cello builder. During a larger cello project I was invited to capture a “day” of work on the master piece. It was a shorter day in the shop for him. In just two hours, I captured over 6000 photos. Some of my favorites are shown here.

A year later John came to me wanting to use the wide angle image of him at work in his shop as ads in local music publications around the twin cities. The goal was to grab the attention of the viewer with a minimalist approach and let the imagery speak for itself.

Magazine spread with the left page is an ad for the Luthier. Working on a cello in a dark workshop. He sits facing the window, working in the light coming through.
Here is a spread from my notebook when the project was first pitched. The right page has seven different quick layouts of full page picture with placement of text varying.
With precision, the luthier lightly taps the blade of the plane into the body.
A wide shot the work bench showing books, scales, and other measuring tools. All along the top of the, hanging from the ceiling are violas and violins.
A close-up of three small wood planes. Each plane is no wider than a pencil. Curls of saw dust lay all around the planes as the sit on their sides.
A still shot of the luthier blowing on the cello body to clear the saw dust. In his hand is a sharpe metal scraper.
The luthier blows dust free of the area that he is shaving.
Looking over the left shoulder of the luthier, he carefully is scrapping the edge of the cello back as it sit in a mold to hold it still.
Looking over the shoulder as the luthier looks down upon a violin. With a brush in his right hand, he is carefully adding small touches of varnish to the instrument.
Camera angle faces faces up as the luthier looks down upon a violin. With a brush in his right hand, he is carefully adding small touches of varnish to the instrument.
The luthier hold a violin back away from him to study his work.
The luthier is leaving the shop for the days as he is looking at the came with a smile. To the right of him, a little out of focus the shop sign that sits our front. It reads "John R Waddle Violins, Inc. Luthier, Violins, Violas, cellos, and Bows."
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