"Filmmaker Taylor Hackford photographed for the Los Angeles Times. My photo editor wanted at least two different takes on the Ray director and I had only fifteen minutes with him in the lobby of his hotel. I hadn't seen the film, but I knew it tackled some of Ray Charles' darker days and struggles with substance abuse. I wanted the photo to emphasize that and also make some kind of subtle visual reference to the film's subject. I was able to talk kind people at the hotel reception into moving their desk and chair out of the lobby so I could photograph Hackford in front of an interesting geometric patterned painting using motion, zoom and a slow shutter."