Photography

Do you ever make images and you can't decide if you like them or not?  How do you handle? Simply love it, or bury it?

Deciphering the Love-Hate Relationship: Navigating Image Uncertainty

I know when I like an image and I know when I don't like an image. I often can tell when I'm shooting which images I'm gonna end up loving. I don't really bury anything because you never know something might come shining out at you later when you can see it with new eyes. And often I'll ask an opinion of a mentor or a friend that I trust what they think of an image that I might love or almost love.

I know when I like an image and will often ask the opinion of a mentor or friend if I'm unsure.

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When it comes to my images, I can usually tell whether I like them or not. There are times, though, when I feel unsure about certain images. Rather than burying them, I keep them because sometimes something unexpected might catch my eye later on when I see them with fresh perspective. Additionally, I seek the opinion of a trusted mentor or friend to get their thoughts on the image, especially if it's one that I'm on the fence about or almost love. This helps me gain valuable insights and make a more informed decision about whether to embrace or let go of the image.

Have you had any formal education in art or photography?

From Art School to Street Education: A Photographer's Journey

Hey, I had a formal education in art from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, where I got a degree in painting and sculpture. Then I went to the Whitney Independent Study Program, where I continued painting and sculpture. After that, I worked in the film business and got more of a street education in photography and film. And then 20 years later, I broke out of that, and now I'm a photographer. I continue to take education and classes from various resources and mentors, as well as books and professional photographers of America, and I compete. So that helps continue my education. But that's not exactly formal. Have a great day.

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Yes, I have a formal education in art. I obtained a degree in painting and sculpture from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. I furthered my studies at the Whitney Independent Study Program, focusing on painting and sculpture. While working in the film industry, I gained practical knowledge and experience in photography and film. Since transitioning to become a photographer, I have continued my education through various resources such as classes, mentors, books, and participation in competitions through the Professional Photographers of America. While my ongoing education may not be considered formal, it has been valuable in my development as a photographer. Have a great day!

What does it mean to grow as a photographer? How is it measured?

Unleashing Your Potential: Measuring Growth as a Photographer

This is an interesting question. What does it mean to grow as a photographer? How is it measured? Well, I would suggest photographing a subject that you love over and over and over and over again in different light, in different time, in different moods, with different everything, but the same subject over and over and over and over again. And I think if you were to look at that body of work, you would see yourself grow as a photographer because you would no longer be looking for what to photograph, but how. And that's how you would measure it, is to see how far you've come with how you've captured that subject.

To measure growth as a photographer, photograph the same subject multiple times in different settings to see how you document it differently over time.

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To grow as a photographer means to continuously photograph a subject that you have a passion for, exploring it in various lighting conditions, at different times, and with different perspectives. By repeatedly capturing the same subject in diverse ways, you shift your focus from what to photograph to how to photograph it. This constant practice and experimentation will showcase your growth as a photographer. The measurement of this growth can be observed by examining how far you have come in capturing that subject and the evolution of your approach.

Does being a well-known photographer help or hinder your work?

Benefits of being a well-known photographer outweigh expectations

I think being a well-known photographer is pretty helpful for your work. If you want to get paid to be a photographer, it's really great to be well-known. I guess there's expectations if you're well-known to stay at a certain standard of quality photography, which again I think is a help because that's the pressure. Sometimes you do other things and it surprises people like, oh, you paint too, but that's fine. Don't call that a hindrance. It's all good.

Being well-known as a photographer can be helpful for your work because it can help you get paid and there is often an expectation of quality associated with being well-known.

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Being a well-known photographer is generally beneficial for your work, especially if you want to make a living from photography. It's great to have recognition and be known in the industry. Being well-known comes with certain expectations in terms of maintaining a high standard of quality in your photography, which can be a helpful motivator and keep you focused on delivering great work. Occasionally, people may be surprised to learn that you have other artistic talents, such as painting, but this shouldn't be viewed as a hindrance. Overall, being well-known as a photographer is a positive factor that can contribute to your success.

What qualities do you look for in a mentor or friend whose opinion you trust when it comes to evaluating your images?

Finding the Perfect Mentor & Friend: Qualities You Need

The question is, what qualities do I look for in a mentor and a friend whose opinion I would trust when it comes to evaluating my own images? And one of the first qualities I look for is someone who really knows what they're doing, but also who's non-competitive and is actually really interested in helping me become a better photographer. That is really basically it. Someone who is kind, fair, and really knows their stuff.

I look for mentors and friends who are knowledgeable, non-competitive, and kind in order to help me become a better photographer.

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When evaluating my images, I seek a mentor or friend whose opinion I trust. The qualities I look for in such a person are someone who possesses expertise in photography and is genuinely interested in helping me improve. It's crucial that they are non-competitive and have a kind and fair demeanor. Ultimately, I value someone who knows their stuff and genuinely wants to support my growth as a photographer.

How do you balance the expectations of others with your own creative vision and artistic integrity in your work?

Balancing Others' Expectations: High Standards and Personal Integrity

Hey, the question I have is how do you balance the expectations of others with your own creative vision and artistic integrity in my own work? So I'm just going to say that the expectations of others should be high. Certain image quality, certain attention to detail, and a very directed intentionality as to what I'm trying to do. So my own vision and artistic integrity is actually more critical than the outside world. So I'm always trying to up my game with my attention to detail, image quality, and knowledge of technical as well as artistic rules and in what's really going on out there. Not to follow trends, but just to see what's happening.

Balance the expectations of others with my own creative vision and artistic integrity by paying close attention to detail, image quality, technical as well as artistic rules and staying up-to-date on what's happening in the art world.

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Balancing the expectations of others with my own creative vision and artistic integrity in my work is a question that requires careful consideration. I believe that the expectations of others should be held in high regard, including aspects like image quality, attention to detail, and a clear intentionality in my work. However, my own vision and artistic integrity take precedence over external influences. I constantly strive to elevate my creative abilities by improving my attention to detail, enhancing image quality, and expanding my knowledge of both technical and artistic principles. It's important for me to stay informed about what's happening in the field without simply following trends. Ultimately, maintaining a balance between external expectations and personal artistic growth is key.

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Portrait, nature, workshop leader and commercial photographic artist since 2005. I hold Master Photographer and Craftsman Degrees awarded through Professional Photographers of America and am a member of American Society of Photography. Prior to my photo career I was an IATSE camera assistant in the motion picture industry from 1989-2003, working on numerous films- for partial resume see IMDB profile -Andrea Dorman.

Andrea Phox