In a similar fashion as filmmaking, photography is a burgeoning passion of mine which I have put off for way too long. Yes, I have been practicing it to a certain degree over the past decade for reasons of necessity (mostly related to self-portraiture), but I have a lot of ideas which I have wanted to pursue. The work I have done to date has afforded me the opportunity to significantly develop my photography (and Photoshop) skills; and after purchasing my first professional quality DSLR camera in the past year, even my own perfectionist tendencies can objectively be satisfied from this point on with my pursuit of this particular creative medium. In fact, my education in filmmaking has lent itself generously to my photographic ambitions, as camera lighting techniques apply equally to both still and moving images.
I’m quick to admit that, out of all the possibly subject matter available, I’m probably most interested in working with female models on projects covering glamour, boudoir, and fine art. Yes, these projects will entail a substantial amount of exploration when it comes to capturing the nude female form, as this fits like a glove into the overall framework of artistic vision which drives my very existence. While I’ve been apprehensive in regards to pursuing as much because of my aforementioned perfectionism, I know that I am at a point where I can approach said subject matter and subsequently deliver a finished product which does undeniable justice to all parties involved. Or, in other words: I look at all the absolutely shitty photographs of nude females on a website like deviantART, and it becomes all too obvious to me that I can indeed turn out better images than many of these hacks, and that attitude comes at a point when I fully realize that I myself still have a long way to go as a photographer.
Although there are additional subject matters I wish to explore, another important one for me is that of urban exploration, as I’ve long held a fascination with abandoned structures and locations. The very concept of urban exploration was brought to my attention the first time I watched the late Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky’s brilliant 1979 sci-fi epic Stalker, which has subsequently gone on to become one of my all-time favourite films. The sinister and moody atmosphere found in that film is also perhaps the most compelling aspect of exploring any long forgotten infrastructure, and the easy availability of such opportunities virtually anywhere in the world makes this a subject matter which is extremely easy to document via still images. Of course, there’s often the risk of being arrested for trespassing in many jurisdictions, but avoiding as such is simply a matter of remaining completely aware of one’s surroundings at all times.
Outside of all that, I’m pretty much game for any photography project which doesn’t entail shooting weddings, children, senior portraits, or any other subject matter was is painfully commonplace. Besides, with seemingly everyone and his grandmother who owns a camera constantly clamouring for, and low-balling the absolute fuck out of each other, when it comes to these types of commissions, I’d just as well prefer to steer clear of it all and pursue my own creative muse.
