January 2025

Bill Wishner: Visual Hunter

By Jim Hendrick
Posted: 10/29/2024

On October 11, 2024, Pasadena Village gathered at the office to celebrate the art of Bill Wishner, a seasoned photographer with a career spanning over four decades. A relatively new Villager, Bill has long been an integral part of the Pasadena art scene, both as an artist and a community leader. His exhibit, a vibrant and thought-provoking display of his photographic work, served as the centerpiece for the reception drawing admiration and curiosity from attendees who were eager to learn more about this distinguished “Visual Hunter.”  The exhibit will be in the Village office through November. 

Bill Wishner’s journey into photography began with jazz. His early work captured the rhythms and soul of live performances, eventually leading him to co-edit the book Monterey Jazz Festival: 40 Legendary Years in 1997. This monumental work chronicled the festival’s rich legacy and solidified Bill’s standing as an expert in the field of music photography. Over time, however, his artistic interests evolved. In 2012, Wishner co-founded Pasadena Photography Arts, an organization dedicated to supporting both emerging and established photographers in the East Los Angeles area. As Co-Director, Bill has been a mentor and leader, fostering an environment where photographers can share their work, hone their skills, and engage in critical conversations about the evolving nature of the medium.

In recent years, Wishner’s photographic eye has shifted toward the urban landscape, and the exhibit at Pasadena Village showcases this transition. Known as “The Visual Hunter,” Bill has traveled the world in search of striking, unusual, and often overlooked images on the walls of public spaces. Whether it’s the texture of peeling posters, faded street art, or graffiti layers, his work captures the fleeting and often unseen beauty of urban decay and renewal. The exhibit provided attendees with a window into the mind of an artist constantly in search of the unexpected, one who sees the world not just as it is, but as it could be when viewed through the lens of curiosity and exploration.

The Village reception provided Wishner with an opportunity to not only highlight his work but also share the stories behind the images. Bill spoke candidly about his artistic process, the challenges of photographing in unpredictable environments, and the unique connection between photographer and subject, even when that subject is a wall covered in decades of wear. His passion for photography was infectious, and guests left with a deeper appreciation for both his artistry and his adventurous spirit. Everyone also received a free copy of Artifacts, Bill’s book of photographs.  Virgie Merrium pretty much sums up what many of us were thinking, “Bill’s talk was an eye opener.  His eye and camera found incredible complex images that most people- and certainly I- would have totally missed.  They were incredibly powerful.  The photos are beautiful and tactile!”