(New York City)—Mural photographer Bill Thompson displayed his work at last month’s PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando and is out of breath following up with requests about his work. Thompson’s large format and razor-sharp golf images wowed visitors to his booth which featured stunning landscapes of some of America’s top courses and resorts. "The Show was a big success in terms of showing first-hand the impact and dynamism of mural photography," said Thompson, a photographer who was commissioned by the PGA TOUR last March to shoot the famed 17th hole at The Tournament Players Club at Ponte Vedra. "In particular, showpiece resort and destination properties saw how investing in such photography could benefit both marketing and retail sales goals."
Thompson was also the subject of a favorable story in the PGA Show News which noted his work as a "golfscape, a memorabilia masterpiece." In the story, Thompson credits reading about the game’s most noted architects as whetting his appetite for mural golf photography. "I began reading about Mackenzie, Tillinghast, Dye, Fazio, Doak, Coore, Morrish and other fine architects," said Thompson. "I began to notice the styles and differing approaches to the holes, to the target. I wanted players to be able to bring home the feeling of the place, of the hole, of the sanctuary that is the golf course."
At the PGA Merchandise Show Thompson demonstrated the techniques he has pursued, which makes use of his company’s considerable computer expertise. Combining the skills and patience of a master craftsman with the eye and imagination of an artist, Thompson is able to produce images with unparalleled sharpness, including those commanding billboard-size dimensions. "I do produce smaller prints but photograph all courses with the idea the images will enlarge to an exhilarating scale," adds Thompson, whose fine art work is in major collections and museums in Europe and the U.S.
Based in New York City, Bill Thompson’s travels have taken him around the world and his work has captured the attention of some of the game’s biggest names. "Bill’s golf course photos are so vivid that you can almost feel the breeze and touch the grass," says award-winning golf course architect Jay Morrish. Those sentiments are also echoed by the noted architect Tom Fazio, whose North Carolina office is home to 7′ x 10′ Thompson creation. "We appreciate Bill’s great talent and are displaying his work on our ‘Wall of Fame,’" Fazio says.
Thompson fondly recalls the commission he had to record the scene of the famed 17th hole at Sawgrass during the 2005 Tournament Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. "Bill’s photographic ingenuity and attention to detail capture the true beauty of the golf course," says course architect Pete Dye. Despite unseasonable weather during his stint there, Thompson’s efforts drew the praise of PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem, who said, "Bill Thompson’s photography is unique and truly showcases the beauty and personality of golf."
As a result of photographing some of world’s premier courses and resorts, Thompson just completed a 15′ x 55’ mural for the PGA TOUR Superstore in Atlanta, GA. Commercial applications for Thompson’s work also include pro shop sales, upscale golf communities, advertising agencies, and tourist and travel bureaus.
Bill Thompson Photography is located at 78 MacDougal Street in New York City, NY, 10012. His images are displayed on his web site at www.billthompson.com and he can be reached by email at info@billthompson.com. Telephone inquiries should be made to (646) 831-0035.
Contact:
Terry Moore
(616) 247-1931
E-mail: tmoore@usxchange.net
Tom Cleary
(616) 954-2760
E-mail: tjcleary@aol.com
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