Post by whitney2 on Sept 19, 2007 19:37:56 GMT
Interview with `tangledwebAdministered by Whitney.
Name? Sterling E. Stevens
Age? 32
Location? North Carolina, U.S.A.
Website/gallery? www.sestevens.com
You particularly specialize in photography, yes? How did you get started in this? Were there any specific people or events that caused a spark in your interest?
I’m an architectural designer who happens to be an amateur photographer. I had a minor interest in photography during college and took a black and white film course at university. I wasn’t too good at it and my affinity for photography wouldn’t develop for another six years. In 2002, I’d again pick up the camera out of necessity for photo documentation during my graduate studies. I was having so much fun taking pictures that I began to take a camera everywhere I traveled. Egged on my peers and professors, I kept shooting.
How did you become interested in architecture? Do you design, or... well, just what is it that you do? What sort of "training" (school, etc.) did you go through, if any? Why do you find it to be so interesting?
I knew that I wanted to become an architect since the age of ten. Currently, my job entails design, project management, business development as well as being our photographer and webmaster.
I received a four-year Bachelor’s degree in design and a two-year Master’s degree in architecture. I have long-term goals of pursing my MBA and combining my experience in architecture and business to promote community and economic development.
There's nothing more fun than to go through the invigorating creative process of design, and know that the product of your work contributed to another person's welfare - not just aesthetically and functionally, but in how one experiences life.
What sort of equipment do you use? Do you always carry a camera around with you? Why or why not?
I use a Canon 20 DSLR, an assortment of lenses and filters, flash, a lightweight Velbon tripod, and a sturdy backpack that handily carries most of these things. The backpack is a lifesaver, particularly on strenuous hikes! I don’t carry my camera with me on a daily basis because my five-minute commute to work isn’t that exciting, but do take it with me whenever I travel.
Do you find most of your shots to be planned or random? Do you prefer things to be planned in detail or to pop up randomly?
When shooting solely for my own pleasure, it’s typically a combination of both. Photography taken locally tends to be more planned because I’m already familiar with the details of a particular environment. However, during travel I’m very spontaneous, much to the annoyance of anyone unlucky enough to be traveling with me. I’ve been known to slam the brakes on my car because I see something off the road I want to discover more about and shoot.
Most things are planned in advance when shooting professionally for my architectural office or externally for another client. Time and location are critical factors when considering the photography of architecture: not just obvious elements such as how light and shadow change perception of a built structure and the space within it, but practical things such as pedestrian traffic, nearby construction, distracting reflections, and even noise.
Some people tweak their photographs quite a bit (using Photoshop, for example), while others prefer to showcase the photo as-is. Which line do you walk down? Why is this? Do you feel that there is only so much tweaking a person should do? Where do you draw the line in your own work?
When I first started shooting digitally, I used Photoshop to tweak and “save” really bad pictures that I now discard. As I become a better photographer and more skilled and purposeful with my craft, Photoshop is a powerful development tool that has as much importance to the medium as the proper mix of chemicals in a film development lab.
I believe that the worthwhile discussion about digital photography and digital processing is being convoluted by those who waste their time in passionate arguments about what is photography vs. photo manipulation. Photography, like many other visual mediums, undergoes transformation over time. There are technological advances, practical changes in reproduction, and trends in artistic theory - but the identity crisis that photography is currently suffering is accessibility to the medium itself. Those who present digital photography straight ‘out of the box’ as a pure old-school method amuse me greatly for there was no such thing as ‘out-of-the-box’ until the advent of digital photography. So what’s the fight really about? The technology has advanced so that you can now take them with your mobile phone. The underlying crux behind the fuss is that your average person has greater access to the same technology that professionals use with much less investment of money and time. In fact many question why they should hire a professional photographer if they can do it themselves – but that’s entirely another discussion.
Personally, the issue revolves around honesty with the photograph itself and there’s no need to make it complex. If you inserted a horse into your photograph that wasn’t originally there, consider it a photo-manipulation, but don’t tell brag it was “as is.” This becomes vitally important in the field of photojournalism where integrity of the photograph is everything. However, the art of photography is too broad to be limited to one definition or point-of-view, so I don’t care what it is you did or didn’t do, just don’t misrepresent it.
On the occasion, you use models. Do you enjoy this? Do you find using live subjects more appealing than photographing any other scenario? Would you suggest using models for the sake of improving photography skills to those looking to better themselves in that area?
I do enjoy it, but also find it horribly frustrating and am no natural at it by any means. I wouldn’t consider it more appealing, though obviously I have an affinity towards architecture and landscapes – it’s just different and so counterintuitive to everything else I shoot.
Landscapes and structures are more static. I can patiently consider my surroundings, set up my shot, and wait for the exact right moment to shoot. If I took 15 minutes to set up one shot for a model, he or she would probably walk out on me. Furthermore, the effect of light and shadow on skin is a completely different consideration than with concrete, glass, wood, or greenery. Sharp outdoor light and shadows are idea for most buildings but is a nightmare with a person and vice versa with diffuse lighting. Modeling is about giving directions and interaction with your subject, whereas my negotiation with the outdoors is often a silent and introverted analysis. There’s also so much advance planning and coordination when working with a model – time, location, clothes, makeup, concept, poses, etc.
Without question, anyone who does not already shoot people should do it because it opens an entire new realm of possibilities and learning experiences. If they’re like me and are not natural with people, that’s even more reason to do get some practice!
I've noticed that most of your photography seems to take place in the southern U.S. Do you hope to venture further north? How about somewhere far from the U.S.?
Most of my photographs are in the southeastern US because I live and work here. For the record, I grew up in New Jersey and traveled much of the US, just didn’t yet have a fancy camera at my disposal. The only other country I’ve been to is Mexico; I want to travel the world someday, but especially Europe for all of its architectural treasures.
Elaborating more on north-south, which end of the spectrum do you think you prefer? What place (or which places) would you absolutely love to travel to for the sake of photography?
They’re different. I love the north for its fast-paced culture and sarcastic attitude, but really can’t stand the cold weather. The south – I like it for it’s weather... and... uh...
...hey, did I mention it’s hot here and rarely snows?
Most of my vacations these days are solely for the sake of photography and I just returned from a trip out to Colorado and Utah. I’m heavily leaning towards Italy and Greece for my next trip. If I do keep it within the confines North America, probably the pacific northwest among Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia.
I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that your "Fuck Valentine's Day" series received much attention. Although there's the obvious reason of your birthday being on Valentine's Day, is there any other reason you decided to do this? Did you have any uncanny inspiration? Do you think you'd enjoy doing something else along the lines of that series with another holiday/Do you hope to?
Sometimes I use my creativity simply to get things off of my chest. The time period surrounding Valentine’s Day conjures a lot of bad memories. I had someone close to me die around that date and likewise, have had two people close to me who experienced deaths in their family on or near that day. During my college years, something uncannily awful would happen on the 14th, so much so that it became part of my reputation.
I have a tendency with translating everything into sarcastic humor, so in 2003 I came up with the idea to let my frustrations loose – my birthday is truly a day I prefer skipping. Because of its inextricably personal nature, I’m sure it’s not something I would duplicate for another holiday. Besides, can you imagine how controversial something like "Fuck Hanukkah" would be?
People often have hopes of showcasing their art in a gallery, but have no idea how to go about doing so. How have you done this? Do you have any tips for those looking to showcase?
I get showings through artist guilds and independent galleries. There are always open calls for artists listed on the internet, in local newspapers, and e-mail listservs. The way I started getting featured into shows was becoming involved with the local art community – whether they be local art associations or photography groups. I started submitting my photography to juried shows in North Carolina and Georgia and have been lucky enough to make it into a few.
Tips for those looking to showcase... hm. If you’re looking to get into a juried show, first be prepared to pony up money for an entry fee and preparing your artwork to be gallery-ready. Also take into careful consideration how much you’d sell your work. Jurors are a picky assorted lot and no matter how well-educated or traveled they might be, who they pick for these shows is just their opinion and/or preference. Don’t take it too personally if you don’t get featured and don’t let your ego become too inflated if you do.
I don’t have any advice for solo showings because I haven’t done one yet – it’s quite an expensive venture to do one and I want my creative work to be at a certain level of quality and consistency before making that leap.
Also remember that there are so many different places to have your work on display besides galleries, such as coffee houses, restaurants, and local government buildings.
Aside from photography, you also do a bit of writing. When did you begin doing this?
I always wrote as a kid, coming up with bizarre little essays for school assignments that terrorized my mother. I was a strong technical writer and editor through high school and university. However, I didn’t begin to write as a means of self-expression until my freshman year of college in 1993. My roommate was an English major and an unwitting influence. The following year I started writing really bad poems and prose and still continue to do so.
Your writing has a large range, going from satire, to a sort of romance, to editorial and essay. I've chatted with people, and even have this problem myself, who cannot seem to branch out from their one style of writing. How is it that you have such a large range? Does it simply come naturally? What advice would you give to those looking to branch out?
It comes out naturally because my writing is a conversational dialog, typically with myself. My writing and talking styles are very similar. The advantage to not being a serious author is that I have no pressure to write anything for anyone. I can do whatever I want to when I feel like it. However, that is not to trivialize the personal importance of writing to me. I don’t write often and consider it my absolute method of last resort. All of my text is personal to me at some level and whenever I’m unable to express myself through any other creative medium – I write. It is both a tool to express myself and resolve things that I’m grappling with or simply puzzle me. My subject matter are just things that cross my mind and will range from those that tug at my heart, that make me angry, or make me laugh; I’m in rare form if it’s all three at once. Writing and sharing my text is so integral to me that if I was unable to do so for any reason, I’d internally combust. If photography is how I see life, and architecture and design is how I make my mark on life, then writing is why I still live.
For those seeking to branch out, empathy towards other people and taking the time to understand the world around you will go along way to personally expand your horizons. Getting in the heads of everybody else will make your writing experience that much more rewarding.
Now that I've provided you with a sufficient amount of questions (I believe, haha)... what general advice would you give to those looking to better themselves in their area of art, whether it be photography or writing?
A photographer in Georgia whom I know is gradually losing his eyesight and within a year or so will be completely blind. He has been a photographer for 40 years and was very kind to me and helpful as an aspiring amateur. Keep doing what you do and stay humble while doing it - because there may be a day you won’t be able to do it again. Enjoy it despite your frustrations and don’t worry too much about impressing others – your individuality shines through your creativity. Be yourself, refuse to sell-out or sell yourself short. Embrace curiosity and never be afraid to ask questions. I personally believe it’s really simultaneously that simple and that hard. So how was that for a general piece of cheese?
