BE YOU
Although I've been working in the photo industry a long time I had several life experiences that impacted my ability to stay creative. For the last several years I've been living through other photographers photographs. Now it's time for me to be myself, be confident, a be a photographer, and create. I recently read a book of quotes that's inspirational and I'm going to include a quote or two to inspire with each blog post that I do. "Transformation doesn't ask that you stop being you. It demands that you find a way back to the authenticity and strength that's already inside of you. YOU ONLY HAVE TO BLOOM." Taken from the book Brave Enough by Cheryl Strayed "Ask yourself. What is the best I can do? And then do that" Taken from the book Brave Enough by Cheryl Strayed It's as complex or as simple as we want it to be. It's our mind, our vision, our reality, and within art is where we can share these things. The photos shown here were shot in the ten minutes I gave to myself to be myself and create. This is what I'm going to continue to do for those of you of you who need a little kick in the butt. It's not about being perfect, it's about being you. I would like to inspire just one person with each blog post.
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Clean, Sophisticated, Yet Shocking.Jason Saffer is a photographer and friend I met working in Denver. What is interesting to me is how many of the great photographers and artists I know crossed paths in Denver around the same time period approximately 8-10 years ago. Jason and I worked together at Wolf Camera in downtown Denver which was the old Robert Waxman. We didn't love it there but that is part of the journey of getting by is doing what it takes to pay the bills so you can take photos and create art. Although I've known Jason since that time I wasn't introduced to his photography until I did my previous blog post on Derik Penny who said that Jason was one of his inspirations. Through that post I was able to discover Jason Saffer's photography. I must say I was impressed especially by the image below. The composition is absolutely perfect and the moment is there. You find yourself trying to figure out the story of the two subjects in the photo. Where is this woman going? This is a classic because you can't tell when it was taken. Was it shot in 1910 or 2010? His lines are clean and light is evenly distributed yet the contrast and the tonal range are on point. Tell me about your photography/art background? I have my B.A. From Rochester Institute of Technology in Photographic Illustration. I guess that is their fancy way of saying photography degree. I have traveled the country living all over and shooting and assisting along my journey. Recently I have returned to the east coast and completed a Masters degree in library and information sciences. I still shoot constantly and travel as often as possible, but have realized in my travels and through cataloging my personal collection, that I truly loved organizing and preserving these items. The path I followed took over 20 years to get me where I finally want to be in my photographic career, but it all started with those first negatives and my questions of storage, recall, and preservation. What kind of subjects do you shoot/or what are you currently working on? Historically I am drawn to landscape, city-scape, and abstracted subjects. I prefer these because I can do them on my own time, without having to depend on models flaking out at the last minute, which throughout the years is more common than the model showing up (my models anyway). I have never given up on shooting people, as I have experienced that this style of shooting is difficult to master and takes constant practice. I have for the past couple of years left my comfort zone of shooting on my own and attempted to better my skills in working with people in front of my camera. For me, just having a pretty person in an environment isn't enough. Thousands of photographers make great pictures that fall into this category and they all, for me, become the same image. For me there is no substance to the portrait. Even when shooting a fashion image, to try to steer clear of the pretty girl in a bikini cliché, I try to find something that connects the viewer, or at the very least, myself, to a story or thought deeper than that of just a pretty person in a pretty environment "I have many projects going, some for the past 12 years, some for just a few months now. My projects rarely, rather never seem to have an end point. I pick a lot of open ideas that can allow for growth within the projects, especially with my abstracts and landscape shots." - Jason Saffer What inspires you as a photographer/artist? I used to read quite a bit, and I would find that many ideas came about while reading. However, in my adult life, I have lost the freedom to read what and how I used to, so I've naturally adapted to finding my inspiration through feelings. Through response mostly. Response to a conversation, to a song, to the walk I just went on, or to the environment where I may find myself. Who is your biggest inspiration? I have slowed down on viewing specific artists' works and following their careers. I have found hundreds of photographers and artists that have influenced my love of everything visual. I am addicted to imagery, as I assume we all are, non-photographers and artists as well. The world we live in is highly addicted and dependent upon the visual. It is hard to be alive and not be inspired or even annoyed at times at all the imagery forced upon us. I mean, I could name a ton of people but we've all seen there works, and for different reasons I choose different artists. Duane Michaels won me over early on with his wit, intelligence, and story telling abilities. Sebastiao Salgado also tells a great story, but utilizes different visual tools than Duane. Then there is my favorite printer of all time, Joel Peter-Witkin. His work may be viewed as shock value on the surface, however it takes on all aspects of life, death, art history, gender roles, etc. Plus, his prints are absolutely amazing to see in person. There are so many other shooters and artists of all styles and mediums that impress me. But in the end, I try to create my own pieces with my touch to them. I am aware most everything has been done before, so I do it my way. I find that I do some of my best work when motivated to go out and travel with another photographer. Plan a weekend trip,or don't plan at all. Get in your car, and just drive, when one of you feels like going in a certain direction, just shout it out and change directions. Uncertainty is a big influence as well. What are your goals as a photographer?
My goals...just to experiment and become the best I can within the areas of photography that I can be. Making a perfect print might be my goal with one process, where another process I may go strictly for emotional response from the viewer. I have goals and then I don't have goals, I like to see where things lead. Check out more of Jason's photography at www.jsafferphotography.com Each artist that I introduce I would like to inspire just one person. An Entrepreneur, Photographer, Woodworker, and Beyond. I met Derik when I worked at Wolf Camera in downtown Denver at least 10 years ago. It seemed like he was just a teenager so in many ways I feel that I saw Derik grow up which is pretty cool. He was born an artist, the way he thinks, the way he sees, the way he lives. As long as I can remember he's been creating something interesting either with his camera or his hands. Not many people can express their art in so many forms. Top: I got caught in the rain and running for cover i happened upon this couple huddled under a tiny umbrella bracing against the wind. The film was a high speed black and white, so the grain did the talking. 35mm inside of 120mm camera. Bottom Left: That beautiful girl framed inside of the MOMA's giant window's in New York, is Gina. She's been around for a long time always encouraging be to pursue all of the art forms I find interesting at any given time. 120mm Bottom Right: The building my Dad worked in since i can remember. When he passed away when i was seventeen i took a lot of refuge in art. I see this building in my day to day. Its an important piece in the skyline of my life. 120mm Derik's dad whom passed away when Derik was just 17 made a huge impact on his life. At 17 you haven't quite grown up yet and you still need the guidance of your parents to become the person you're supposed to be. This is when Derik took refuge in his art. When someone is so important to you you'll find ways to keep that person close and remind you that they're still there. The image of the building above is where Derik's dad worked and so it's and important part of the skyline in his life which he states in the captions above. Tell me about your background in photography and woodworking? As far as my background goes in photography, There's been a camera in my hands since elementary school. Not constantly but its always there. Always trying to find my fingerprint in the art but a lack of confidence always kept it just out of reach. A classic case of Jack of all, master of none. Every camera I've ever used is still spread out through out my place, reminding me of my roots, a visible metaphor that things take time. Currently I'm pursuing another art form that's been in my life since I could walk, woodworking. I've been doing small stuff on a hobby level for years but recently got a part time gig inside of a design studio called Spark Design. The guy behind it all is a mad genius, the type that's good at anything he gets his hands on. From wood, metal, stone, concrete. Small scale stuff to entire build outs for restaurants. I'm trying to push a section of his business that is custom designed furniture and house wares. What Inspires you and keeps you going? I'm in a bit of a passion pit with a concept of my own "store." I'm dialing in a few concepts with wood, beard care goods, and the ever useful handkerchief with a design I cant seem to finish. And all though i'm not active in the money/passion pit of film photography, I'm currently using the oh so convenient smart phone camera to document my wife Gina and my travels to every ballpark in the Major League, through the eyes of each stadiums signature hot dog! Check it! thishotdoglife.tumblr.com Though now that I think about it, maybe documenting a summer long honeymoon adventure in hot dog photos won't make Gina fall in love with me all over again... What inspires you? I am surrounded by inspiring artists in my life. The top of the list is probably our good buddy Josh Olsen or OtterJ. It's a constant reminder of what confidence and courage will get you. And Jason Saffer's tenacity in his photography and style makes me never want to give up. http://www.jsafferphotography.com/ And I'm not sure who these guys are but it's some of the best street portraiture I've ever seen, my mind is blown whenever it comes across my feed. http://moodboard.streetetiquette.com/ A friend of mine, Breezy Sanchez who breaks comfort zones everyday for the sake of art. And the biggest inspiration, has to be Gina my wife. I mean, the shit she puts up with in this "boys club" of a world is nuts. And she kills it! And rarely lets it bring her down. you gals out there have so many things going against you, i don't know where you find the energy to put up with it. She always reminds me that being mopey doesn't get me anywhere. Check out more of Derik's work random bits of things in my life derikpenny.tumblr.com Each artist that I introduce I would like to inspire just one person. Telling stories of ordinary people with stunning natural light portraits. "My love and curiosity for the story behind the person and the place led me to a career in photojournalism. In a time when images are becoming contrived and computer generated, I continue to capture life as it unfolds." -Shauna Intelisano I am thrilled to introduce Shauna Intelisano a photographer that I met working in downtown Denver. She has a way of just capturing beauty within the moments that would have normally been overlooked. An artist that Portland, OR is lucky to have access to. One of my most memorable experiences with Shauna as a photographer is when she photographed my wedding. Shauna captured beautiful photos and helped preserve memories that will stay with me throughout my life. Tell me about your photography background? I received my degree in photojournalism and journalism at the University of Georgia Athens in the Grady College of Journalism. While studying I traveled to Honduras and documented a peace corp worker (on film), worked at the school newspaper (The Red & Black) and for Sports Communications. My passion was/is story telling. From there I went to Chattanooga Times Free Press for a 6 month paid internship. Next I did a 4 month paid internship at the Killeen Daily Herald covering the Fort Hood community. Texas was hard for me and I was low on money and steam so I went to Breckenridge to spend some time with my father. During many bike rides he talked me into giving Denver and freelance a try. I followed his advice and started my freelance career in Denver. There I started out in the editorial world working for 5280 Magazine, Denver Post and the Rocky Mountain News. Then the economy slipped into a recession and I lost my foot-hold in the editorial world and started working with The Aveda Institute of Denver, learning the world of fashion photography. I cultivated many clients in Denver and was paying the bills with my photography work but I felt lost in my work. So I've recently moved to Portland, OR in hopes of recreating myself and rediscovering my love and roots in photography, story telling. I hope to work for magazines and small business here telling stories again. I also hope to land an agent in the next few years so I don't have to cultivate all the work myself. I feel like I just want more good opportunities all of which I don't have to create myself. Let's talk about love and your self-published book. In 2008 I traveled to Cuba with a writer and we worked on a story about the change in leadership (after 50 years of Fidel). There I met my now husband and so I traveled back and forth for 3 years. I tried to work in Cuba but I was mainly there for love. To raise money for my husbands transition to the U.S. I self-published a book of my work in Cuba titled "Dulce Tormento". It was a real labor of love. There are a few stories in there I wrote. I spent over 100 hours editing text and layout. It can be viewed at this link to Dulce Tormento. What kind of subjects do you shoot and what inspires you as a photographer? People. Everyday people. Not models or celebrities. Just everyday unsung heroes. Natural light, emotion, telling stories with images, capturing the beauty in the world . Peoples vulnerability and strength. Who is your biggest inspiration? So many it is hard to say. Inspirations are always changing as well. Todd Heisler (former Rocky Mountain News and now NYTimes), April Saul (Philadelphia Inquirer), Gabriela Herman (freelance), Nicolle Clemetson (Freelance), Rezza (Nat Geo), Mary Ellen Mark (freelance), David Walter Banks (freelance & represented) "It is not the destination, it's the journey." -Shauna Intelisano Shauna is inspiration to me because of her drive and ability to capture beauty within the moment. Her determination to be a great photographer and complete her book after she found the love of her life in Cuba. It takes a tremendous amount of courage to be a photojournalist, standing by your vision and Shauna does just that. She believes in her ability to be one of the great photographers and she proves that within her book which you can check out and purchase it here Dulce Tormento. Please take a look! "Anybody can click a shutter or manipulate an image, but I believe the difference between a good photographer and a great photographer is ideas and approach. I strive to be one of the greats." -Shauna Intelisano Each artist that I introduce I would like to inspire just one person. The first and last quote on this blog were taken from the denverarts.org event post here. Shauna's Website Using a Pentax Spotmatic from 1977 until it's death in 2002 Christopher Earle has been shooting photos since he was 10 which means he has been shooting photos for 37 years.
Tell me about what you see when you're shooting photographs? I tend to see textures and geometric forms. Although I’ve done color, I don’t “see” color. Oddly, a couple of years ago they pinned down a neurological condition that puts my visual “perception” in the lowest 1.5th percentile (so 98.5 percent of people perceive things more accurately). The neurologist speculated that was why I “get” black and white in a fundamental way, but color seems kinda slippery and elusive. The photo titled "Woman Crucified" in the slideshow above was photographed in a 1908 Taiwan Beer Brewery. The security guard let us in, and I convinced Caroline to climb an iron ladder to a catwalk above Jae Mann (model). There was no light, completely dark until I hit the flash's "model mode" so she could see where she was. Somehow it worked. What kind of subjects do you shoot? I shoot whatever interests me at the moment. As I look back over the past 10-15 years, a LOT of nudes, a lot of postindustrial…in all cases, I think I’m looking to see momentary changes and transitions. Now that I’m out of the photography “business” and simply shoot to make myself happy, I don’t do many portraits (unless a person is really visually compelling). Forms and textures are what really drive me. Who is a photographer(s) that inspire you? I think my main inspiration has always been Edward Weston, but really like a lot of what Alfred Stieglitz did. Imogen Cunningham is also a big influence. Many, many Japanese photographers, including Nobuyoshi Araki, Daidō Moriyama, Miyako Ishiuchi, Yuichi Hibi. As far as modern, I really like a lot of what WaYangFotos does . Oddly, although they are influences, I don’t see a LOT of them in my own work. Another that just popped to mind is Nan Goldin. LOVE her work, but it is far, far different from my own, but her attraction to the fringe folks isn’t too far from what I prefer to photograph. What makes Christopher's photography unique is that his work is beautiful yet there is that technical aspect that works perfectly. Christopher describes his ability to view color really stood out to me because his nude photographs also represent the feeling of slippery and elusive. It depends on how comfortable you are with yourself nude to be able to view another nude. Sometimes the photographers that aren't as well known are creating pieces that will change photography and art as we know it. Each artist that I introduce I would like to inspire just one person.
On a Latin American Journey. iPhone only Sami T. or Tokhais is a photographer I worked with in Denver at my studio called Impact Images. He's a wonderful travel photographer who has lived the last 10 months in Latin America, covering 28,634 km, crossing 17 countries. His life is inspiring to me because of how he lives each day to capture his experience. How many people would quit everything they're doing to document their journey through life as a nomad. What inspires you as a photographer? I really love to travel and explore new places. For me, the unfamiliar opens my mind to new creative pursuits. When I am in a new place, my senses are heightened. Sight, smell and sound are all competing in painting a meaningful image. The people I meet in my travels, and their stories, also influence my photography. Who is your biggest inspiration? I think my biggest inspiration in this respect is Henri Cartier-Bresson. He’s both a photographer, and more importantly, a traveler. I believe his travels influenced the way he saw the world, which reflected positively in his beautiful images. It's all about experiencing life. "You just have to live and life will give you pictures." - Henri Cartier-Bresson In many ways to me Sami defines mystery . He's mysterious in his approach to photography where you can't always tell exactly what photo is going to pop up next in his Instagram feed. He doesn't fully expose himself within his relationship to his subject. I've spent many hours with him discussing photography and shooting photos which is time I will value always. He has a very natural approach to his photography by not interfering with the people or nature. He's an iPhone journalist capturing life as it exists. What impresses me is that he has almost 20K followers on Instagram. He's not only an inspiration to me but many of his followers that can't wait to go on the next journey with him. Sami is not quite done with his Latin America trip. He still has two more months to complete this trip. I titled this Blog about Sami after his title which appears on Instagram which is : On a Latin American Journey. iPhone only The only photos that Sami has posted of this trip were shot on his iPhone. He still has all of the video and stills he's shot with other cameras that he'll put together at the end of this trip. "Travel is not simply a physical activity that represents going from point A to point B. While that may be a philosophy for some, many find travel to be the best way to fulfill a need for exploration and experiencing the new and the unfamiliar. Personally, I like it because it exposes my insecurities" - Sami Tokhais This quote was taken from a blogpost he made for Banafsajeel titled To the End of the World. Each artist that I introduce I would like to inspire just one person. A photographer for over 30 years, inspiring many with his dark urban portraits. I have known Gary as a customer of mine for approximately twelve years from working in downtown Denver. I was lucky enough to be one of his go to sales associates at the Wolf Camera that was on the 16th Street Mall. Gary stood out to me among the other customers mostly because of his eccentric presence and his ability to just be a photographer. There are many that consider photography their profession but to Gary is seems as though he just creates. It's not just about paying the bills it's about taking his vision and making it real through photography. That's what differentiates a professional photographer from a true artist. Gary Isaacs is an inspiration to me because of his ability to keep creating for the last 30 years. He has a unique style which is deep, dark, and moody. "In order to make images that are more than superficially revealing one needs to be willing to more than superficially reveal themselves." -Gary Isaacs Gary has been called a landmark in the Denver Westword. He's also be called a legend in the most recent article in the Denver Westword about 100 Colorado Creatives in 2015. I think landmark and legend are two very appropriate ways to describe Gary Isaacs. Gary's images truly speak for themselves. "If there's such a place as heaven it better be in and out" - Gary Isaacs. Each artist that I introduce I would like to inspire just one person.
Gary's website | Westword article |
AuthorJessica Oleksy is passionate about photography and creative people. Through this blog she will introduce you to the people that inspire her. Archives
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