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SPOTLIGHT
ON THE ARTS - May 2003 by Deanna Mascle Combining Art and Sport
A Lexington native, it should not be surprising that a large part of his work is dedicated to Thoroughbred racing. In addition to his duties as publicity photographer for the Keeneland Association, he has photographed major Thoroughbred races throughout the United States, including six Breeders’ Cups (he was the official photographer for racing’s premier event from 1984-1987) and every Kentucky Derby since 1978. Straus also was the recipient of the 1986 George B. Featherston Photojournalism Award for continuing excellence in equine photography, given by The Thoroughbred Record and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. Although he characterizes his career as a steady progression, Straus can identify two particularly momentous events – both linked to his equine photography. “Being selected as the Eclipse Award winner in 1984 was certainly a high point and the achievement of a goal. Perhaps the high point was when Jim Williams asked me to be Keeneland’s publicity photographer. It began an association with a fabulous group of people that goes beyond pictures. The teamwork, enthusiasm, and upbeat spirit have been very meaningful to me.”
By 1977 he was a full-time professional, working for a Lexington television station and later for an advertising design firm. In 1978 he began freelancing in the diverse areas of equine, sports, commercial and advertising photography. His photographs have appeared in many publications including Sports Illustrated, The Blood-Horse, Pacemaker (England), Hong Kong Racing World, Fleetwood Mac concert programs, Sky magazine, Lexington magazine and Keeneland magazine. In addition, he has received awards from the Kentucky Professional Photographers Association, Kentucky Arts Commission, Mamiya Cameras, Lexington Advertising Club and the College Sports Information Directors of America. While he has come a long way since his days as a part-time sports photographer, Straus has not left sports photography, or his love for sports, behind. His work has appeared in University of Kentucky football and basketball programs and NCAA Basketball Tournament programs. He was named the official photographer of the National Division I Men’s Basketball Championship for the 1985 and 1986 Final Four. His major interest outside of photography is sports officiating. He has officiated high school football, basketball and baseball since 1969. Since 1981, he has officiated women’s college basketball in Kentucky and was selected to be a member of the official’s pool for the 1985-86 and 1986-87 NCAA Women’s Division III Basketball Championships. Although his many ongoing public relations and advertising projects keep him busy, Straus does try to leave time for projects for himself. “Last year, I photographed a Civil War reenactment, which is something I had never done. I wanted to create images from our history with current technology. I also enjoy photographing things in Lexington for the personal satisfaction of making the picture. And I enjoy making pictures on personal trips. “I try to make my work an accurate reflection of what is being photographed and is a good honest depiction of the subject. I want people to enjoy my creations for the thoughts and emotions they have when viewing the images. “When people see my work I want them to feel that they are part of the image. I hope they can get a feel for the scene and find it easy to see themselves in it. Whether my picture is of a Thoroughbred, a person, a scene or an event, I hope it will give a meaning, a connection to the viewer. Whether it stirs a memory or vision, I hope they are drawn into it and feel it is for them.” See his work at www.billstraus.com. Deanna Mascle is a
staff writer for The Lane Report. |
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Copyright 1996-2003, by Kentucky Business Online. All rights reserved. Editorial content is copyright 2003,
Lane Communications Group The Lane Report is a trademark of Lane Communications Group. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. |
Bill
Straus’s career has come a long way since he began working as a
professional photographer in 1973, shooting football games for the Lexington
Herald-Leader. Today, his photographs have appeared on more than 250
magazine covers, including 63 for The Thoroughbred Record, and he is
the official photographer for the Keeneland Association. He has also
won numerous awards, including the 1984 Eclipse Award for Outstanding
Photography in Thoroughbred Racing and an honorable mention for the
same award in 1986. 
Straus
earned an AA degree in Social Sciences from Lindsey Wilson College and
a BS degree in Business Administration from Western Kentucky University.