© Jake Rajs/drr.net
I'm sure he doesn't remember this, but while shooting the 1987 New York City Marathon from the top of the west tower of the Verrazano Bridge, I turned to the photographer next to me and asked him to take my picture while perched at the top of the bridge. I said "thanks", asked him his name and he said "Jake Rajs and I'm shooting stock for The Image Bank". When I got back to the office on Monday, I quickly got out my TIB catalogs (remember those?) and realized that I'd had my portrait taken by one of the most prolific photographers in the biz.
Though he had toyed with other media, such as painting and sculpture, and even identified himself as a poet for a while, there was another form of creative expression out there for Jake Rajs. “I saw a book of poems and photographs, and thought ‘what a great idea.' “So I got myself a camera. The poetry wasn’t as good as the photography. I found I could say it better without words. Artists use a different vehicle to express themselves. For me, it’s the camera.”
Once he found his tool, he then worked on building his experience. After graduating from Rutgers with a B.A. in Studio Art, Jake began by assisting other photographers in New York City (“By washing floors and toilets”) and then by pounding on pavement and doors. " I got my first assignment, and then another, then people just started buying my work.”
West Point, New York, Graduation Day, United States Military Academy
© Jake Rajs/drr.net
Since those humble beginnings, Jake has published fourteen books, from one focusing on New York City that came out in 1985 to These United States, an enormous limited edition coffee table book with an introduction by Walter Cronkite. In fact, it was in part because of that collection, published by Rizzoli in 2003, that Jake was selected as “Best Observer” in Reader’s Digest special issue featuring America’s 100 Best.
Rajs was born in Poland and moved to Israel before coming to Brooklyn at age eight. “My father came first, while we were in Israel, maybe it’s my childhood memory talking, but we came on a ship. It took two weeks, and then we arrived in New York harbor. We were all on deck, it was nighttime, and we see the Statue of Liberty and everyone’s crying, I’m crying. Then, early in the morning, we were watching the sun hit the skyline, and everything turns golden. People came for their dreams.”
Over the years, Jake has focused on New York City and the United States, clocking by his own estimation a million miles criss-crossing the nation. “You should focus on something you know and you care about. It is my sincerest hope that my images go beyond mere representation to communicate emotionally and spiritually."
For his part, Rajs feels his work serves a greater purpose. “I like it because I hope I help humanity, by showing beauty or giving another perspective on whatever subject I choose. Then I get to express myself and I get to have fun along the way.”
Driving into the Night, Nevada, U.S. Route 50, Loneliest Highway
© Jake Rajas/drr.net
It is with personal pride and affection that I am delighted to announce Jake Rajs as part of the DRR family. See more of Jake's wonderful work in Marketplace.
