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Francis Olschafskie: Pioneering Photographer + Technologist

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Francis Olschafskie: Pioneering Photographer + Technologist

Introduction to Francis Olschafskie. 2:01 min. Interview: Raymond Elman.  Post-Production: Lee Skye. Music:  Carmen Cicero.  Recorded via ZOOM  3/12/2025, Miami-Boston.

 

FRANCIS OLSCHAFSKIE is known for “in-camera capture” — layers, reflections, projections, and ghostly appearances in his images reflect real-world occurrences not darkroom or digital tricks, they are single images of place and time. Notably, Olschafskie was invited by Governor Maura T. Healey to exhibit his work in the Governor’s office at the Massachusetts State House in Boston throughout November and December 2025. Additionally, he was honored to have been awarded a Massachusetts Cultural Council grant for excellence in photography for 2025, marking the second time he has received this recognition.

A new book was published in June 2026 that highlights the work from his first award in 1984, depicting his evolution from Analog to Digital Photography. “Vietnam Cavalcade.”

Olschafskie’s work is exhibited both domestically and internationally. In Manhattan: Alan Klotz Gallery, Ethan Cohen Gallery (Beacon), and multiple appearances at The Photography Show presented by AIPAD. – International Art Fairs: Paris Photo, ART MIAMI at Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary, and FUTURE FAIR NYC. – Museums & Institutions have featured Olschafskie’s work including The Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, the Museum of Modern Art, Paris, the Isentan Museum, Tokyo, the Greek Ministry of Culture in Athens, the Tisch School at NYU, the Robert Hull Fleming Museum in Burlington, the Photographic Resource Center, Boston, the Provincetown Art Association and Museum , in Provincetown MA the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Santa Barbara CA, City Council, in Florence, Italy, Ministry of Culture, Paris, France, Isetan Museum, Shizooka, Japan, Computer Culture festival , in Lez Avignon, France, at the Institute for New Technology Invitational, Darmstadt, West Germany.

Olschafskie is represented by the School House Gallery in Provincetown MA. He holds an undergraduate degree in photography from Massachusetts College of Art and a graduate degree from the Media Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has been a faculty member in the photography programs at NYU, (NYC) the School of Visual Arts, (NYC), the International Center of Photography, (NYC) and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

— https://olschafskie.com/

The videos below were recorded via Zoom, are organized by Success Factor, and run between 30 seconds and 12 minutes. Click on any video. You must be connected to the Internet to view the videos.

 

OVERCOMES CHALLENGES TO SUCCEED:    2:25 min.

Where did you grow up, and what was your first awareness of art of any discipline?

 

EXPOSURE TO BROAD INFLUENCES:    2:38 min.

I didn’t know they grew tobacco in New England. How prevalent was that?

 

DEVELOP A VOICE:    0:43 sec.

In those days, were you working with a lot of immigrants?

 

COMMUNITY VALUES:    3:41 min.

You have always struck me as a humble person despite your significant accomplishments. Is that a result of picking tobacco when you were a teenager?

 

INSIGHT & INSPIRATION:    4:15 min.

When did you become interested in photography? And when did you decide that it was a field you wanted to pursue?

 

UNDERSTANDS ARTISTS’ NEEDS:     12:42 min.

Tell us about the evolution of your photography in art school.

 

CREATES A UNIQUE PERSONAL BRAND:     8:29 min.

When did you start manipulating photographs?

 

CREATES A UNIQUE PERSONAL BRAND:     3:37 min.

Were you using dodging and burning techniques too?

 

SEIZES OPPORTUNITIES:    9:10 min.

Tell us about being recruited to what became the M.I.T. Media Lab.

 

 

TRUST:    3:53 min

Did Apple steal your Lightspeed Computer concept?

 

CREATES A UNIQUE PERSONAL BRAND:    7:40  min. 

What are your thoughts about the history of technology and its relationship to the arts?

 

UNDERSTANDS ARTISTS’ NEEDS:    7:48 min.

While exploring the history of art and technology, what did you learn about Louis Daguerre?

 

PERSEVERANCE FURTHERS:    6:38 min.

What was your involvement with creating a museum for Daguerre in Bry-sur-Marne?

 

CRITICAL THINKING:    15:15 min.

What are your thoughts about artificial intelligence (AI)?

 

CRITICAL THINKING:    1:17 min.

What’s your favorite movie?