Spotlight: Jeff Berting for MotoArt

BY Wonderful Machine 10 May 2017

Los Angeles-based photographer Jeff Berting had been working on a personal project about craftsmen for some time before he received a call from Darren Elms at Southbay Magazine. Jeff had worked with Southbay in the past, and Darren wanted him to create a series of images about the workers at MotoArt, a company that turns old airplane parts into furniture.

Jeff Berting's portrait of a MotoArt craftsman at work.

The Goal

Darren’s idea was to have Jeff photograph the MotoArt workers in a similar way he did for his Craftsmen project — showing the people and processes behind the construction. Jeff mused that people don’t often think about how the objects around them are made, which is part of the reason why he is so interested in photographing craftsmen.

The Preparation

To prepare for the shoot, Jeff scouted the MotoArt studio ahead of time. It was helpful to check out the workshop, their workflow, and to get an idea for the sort of equipment he would need. Scouting also gave Jeff ideas for different images he could make. It allowed him to formulate a plan so he would not be forced to improvise on the shoot day.

A diptych of Jeff Berting's photos of MotoArt craftsmen at work. On the left, a craftsman is soldering an airplane propeller. On the right is a photo of a craftsman working on something on a table on the left of the frame. The photo shows the quirkiness of the warehouse, with large pinup artwork on the walls and an airplane hanging from the high ceiling.

The Experience

Jeff knew that the workers in the shop had limited time to be photographed and deadlines of their own. And he knew there would be no time or opportunities for any reshoots.

But despite the tight schedule, the workers were very accommodating.

Everyone was great and very generous with their time, but I was very conscientious of the fact that they still needed to work.

Jeff Berting's portrait of a MotoArt craftsman at work. He wears protective goggles and a respirator mask and appears to be using a machine to polish an airplane part.

Jeff mused that the facility he photographed was a sight to behold.

It was a combination workshop and aircraft museum all wrapped into one. Most workspaces have tools and bits of inspiration and photos around. This place had vintage aircraft and aircraft parts everywhere.

Jeff Berting's portrait of a MotoArt craftsman at work. He wears protective gloves and uses a sanding machine on a wooden project.

I loved that they can take an old airplane wing that most people would perceive as junk and turn it into the really wonderful piece of furniture.

Jeff Berting's portrait of a man leaning on a defunct helicopter with a broken front window.

Jeff was grateful to Darren Elms for giving him the opportunity to work on this project.

I’m always interested in photographing craftsmen and the work that they do. I think it makes for great storytelling. So while I don’t have any specific plans for this project, I will be adding it to my overall collection of craftsmen images.

Here’s an example of one of MotoArt’s pieces of furniture constructed from an airplane wing: