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Worthy Convos: Walt Burns Exposed
We started Worthy Convos to highlight people doing good and interesting things in our community. Photographer Walt Burns is known for his uniquely minimalist photographs of historic Fort Worth architecture. His solo exhibition, Modern Exposure, is on view at the new Masure Gallery of Photography through August 22. Walt was kind enough to take the time for this Worthy Convo.
Tanglewood Moms: Congratulations on Modern Exposure! For those among our readers who may not be familiar with you and your work, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Walt Burns: Hi, my name is Walt Burns, and I’m a fine art photographer based in Fort Worth, Texas. For more than a decade, I’ve been photographing the city, finding inspiration in the character of its many unique communities. Alongside my personal work, I’m also an event photographer, documenting exhibitions and openings at many of Fort Worth’s major galleries and museums.
photo credit: Keydrin Franklin
I didn’t grow up in a family of artists, nor did I see myself as someone with any particular artistic talent. Looking back, where I am today is a reminder that you never really know where life will lead. Photography became a creative language I discovered later in life, and it has opened doors I never imagined. That journey continues to shape both my work and the way I see the world.
TWM: A lot of your photographs ask the viewer to look below the surface of a broken sign, a derelict building, or a beat-up old car. What draws you to a particular subject?
WB: I’m drawn to quiet scenes more than dramatic ones. I love rich, colorful buildings set against bright blue skies, especially when the light is just right. I’ll often wait for the right weather and then spend the day driving around Fort Worth. It’s usually something that catches my eye—a combination of color, texture, light, or an unexpected detail—that makes me pull over.
I think there’s beauty in imperfection. The things we often dismiss as worn out or forgotten can become surprisingly expressive when they’re isolated from their surroundings. Those discoveries are what keep me exploring and what continue to inspire my work.
TWM: Can you walk us through your process – from recognizing an intriguing subject to the final print?
WB: Yes, when I am on my daily drive, I keep a note on my phone, and when I see something interesting, I take the time to write down what it was and where I found it. I will return later under the right conditions to capture the photograph. If the time is right and my camera is within reach, I will pull over and capture the photograph right then. Often, I will go on a walk from home with my camera just to see what I may see that day. When I get home, I have the pleasure of editing what I found into the final piece I will share in whatever media I choose. Most photographs don’t make it to print, but the ones that do are special to me.
photo credit: Keydrin Franklin
TWM: Modern Exposure (on view at Masure Gallery of Photography through August 22) is a collection of your images of historical Fort Worth architecture. How does “Modern Exposure” relate to historical architecture?
WB: I enjoy putting a modern spin on historical buildings in Fort Worth. Flipping the perspective of the landmarks we see every day.
TWM: What inspired Modern Exposure?
WB: The title basically comes from my style of modern art in the show, mixed with what Masure Gallery is doing for photographers, giving us the exposure that other galleries often overlook. Also, “exposure” is the term for what happens when one clicks the shutter button on their camera.
TWM: A lot of photographers are unabashed in embedding messages in their works. There is very little ambiguity about what they are trying to say. Others revel in the ambiguity. Where do you, as an artist, fall on that spectrum?
WB: For me, it’s a very feeling-based reason why I take a particular picture. The location spoke to me in some way. I may have literal goosebumps while I am lining up the shot. I want to show the world what 817 is about. No hidden messages from me!
photo credit: Keydrin Franklin
TWM: Is there one image in Modern Exposure that stands out to you? If so, why?
WB: The oldest photograph in the show is the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History in red. It is from 2022—the beginning of an era where I found my current voice.
TWM: Are there photographers whose work inspires you as an artist?
WB: William Eggleston and Stephen Shore – they documented the mundane and everyday using vibrant color palettes.
TWM: Has your approach to photography changed over the years?
WB: Yes, I first picked up a camera at a big-box electronics store in my 40s. Before that, I had simple point-and-shoots for family vacations, but never did I dream of being a photographer. When I got this large camera with a detachable lens coming with a pretty big price tag attached, I had to use it on something grand. First, I took it outside and photographed bunnies in my yard, flowers at the Botanic Garden, and sunsets over downtown. Then I hounded my friends to practice portraits on. Brought my camera to art shows of all kinds, from DIY shows to all the major galleries and museums in Fort Worth. I began getting hired at some of these places. But in my own photography, I was running low on inspiration. In the past, that has made my ADHD mind want to move on to another practice. Except by then, I was a full-time event photographer with tons of expensive gear! I didn’t want that to be the reason I kept up my personal photography goals. Luckily, I found another way to approach photography. Zooming in on the mundane and ordinary and highlighting the quiet scenes of our city. Ever since that day, I have felt refreshed and have never run out of places I can expose to the world.
TWM: And finally, anyone who has a smartphone can take a pic. In your opinion, what elevates a pic to a photograph?
WB: There are no limitations on what kind of camera can capture a piece of art. (A spy pen camera may not have the megapixels to display the picture very big, though.) The art comes from the person’s eye who is capturing the photo. There’s a very special person in my life who takes amazing photos with her phone. She understands light and shadow, leading lines, all of the so-called rules of photography, and she’s never taken a lesson. When she texts me a photo of what she found on her walk that day, I am always amazed. She isn’t interested in being a photographer, but she has every bit of skill to create the art. I had no idea it was in me. It’s pure catharsis for me, and I am glad to see where it all has gone for the enjoyment of others.
photo credit: Keydrin Franklin
