PM Subscriber Spotlight: Afraid to See
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Photographer: Andy • Web Site: http://afraidtosee.net • Location: South Carolina, USA
Contact: andy at afraidtosee dot net • Member Since: 03/02/06
Equipment: My photoblog images were created with a Leica M3 with a 5cm Summicron lens and a Canon 1n equipped with lenses ranging from 20mm to 200mm. I prefer older film emulsions, such as Kodak Tri-X, Plus-X, and Tmax P3200.
PM: How did you get involved in photography?
A: I began taking photos at a very young age, first with 110 cameras and later with a Polaroid camera that was given to me as a gift. I didn't begin taking it seriously until I took a photojournalism course my last year in college. I immediately went to work at a small daily newspaper as a reporter and the editors there allowed me to photograph my own stories. Only recently have I been able to begin creating photos "for myself." I feel as if I'm finally taking the photos I've had in my head for all these years.
PM: How would you describe your photographic style?
A: A friend of mine once told me that I photograph stories that are ever present, yet seldom gazed upon. My favorite photographs invoke a sense of mystery. There's an underlying
narrative that comes from my photojournalistic upbringings. I rarely stage my photos, although I enjoy developing a rapport with my subjects.
PM: Why do you photoblog?
A: I started photoblogging as a way to help me categorize my own images and share them with friends and family members. Photoblogging is great because you have to keep producing
new material to keep it fresh. I'm shooting more now than I ever have, and I'm becoming more selective in what I post. As I continue to photoblog, it has helped me identify themes in my work that I might want to expand upon later. The feedback I get from my regular viewers is helpful also.
PM: What are your strengths and weakness as a photographer?
A: I believe my greatest strength is being able to adapt to a changing situation and create a personal narrative, regardless of what I have to work with at that moment. Unfortunately, this is also tied in to my weakness. I'm impatient. I really need to learn to slow down sometimes.
PM: Who are your favorite photographers?
A: Although I am constantly trying to find my own vision, I do admire the work of photographers such as Gregory Crewdson, Joel-Peter Witkin, Andre Kertesz, Karsh, Sally Mann, Paul Strand, Eggleston, Mimmo Jodice, Lynn Saville, Dave Anderson, Sam Abell and Gary Winogrand.
Five Recommended Photoblogs:
• http://www.weaved.net/
• http://moodaholic.com/
• http://ephemera.org/
• http://pulpo.org/weblog/
• http://martinandreasen.dk/journal/
PM: What is your background, and what are you doing when you are not photoblogging?
A: My background is in journalism. I'm an assistant online editor for a large metropolitan newspaper, where I produce multimedia and do daily website updates. When I'm not working I'm either shooting photos, developing film, cycling, watching bizarre cult films or reading (Haruki Murakami is a current favorite!).