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Photographer Interview: Randykeller
Randykeller, the winner of numerous contests, is answering our questions.
1. Who are you? Please give brief background information.
My name is randy, and I have been involved with visual arts most of
my life - as a designer, graphic artist, web designer and photographer.
I have 6 kids - a boy and 5 girls, and 2 grandchildren. I live in
baltimore, MD. Not much to tell.
2. How long have you been doing photography?
I started in 1967, but first became interested much earlier, but I
couldn't afford the film for my Kodak Brownie, so I didn't really get
to it until college. First serious camera was a left-handed Exacta and
even tho I am right handed, I shoot left-handed to this day because of
that camera.
3. Do you earn living from photography or you do photography as your hobby/ your half time job?
I used to make a living with photography when I had my own studio
from 1975-1983, but I burned out and stopped shooting for a long time.
I have had a couple of shows in the recent past, and sold a few prints
as a result, but its not a living.
4. What’s your day job?
Currently, I do freelance graphics and web design. I spend less time working than I used to! :)
5. Do you have special education? Did you take courses or go to a school learn photography?
I have a BFA from Penn State in visual arts, but
at the time they called it Film/Television because they couldn't think
of the right name. I actually studied film, still photography, graphic
design, theatre and television as part of the course of study. They
changed it to Visual Arts right after I graduated. I have actually
taught photography for a couple of years locally.
6. Are you specializing in a particular area of photography? What are your favorite places/objects to shoot?
I have a strong affinity for buildings and things relating to
architecture, but I shoot everything. If it looks like something
interesting, then I shoot it and worry about the wisdom of it later. I
don't do all genres well tho, but I try anyway.
7. Who are your big photographic influences?
Anyone whose image I like. I try to learn from
everyone and everything. And there are very few photographers who have
"made it" who I would not consider an influence. I especially like Penn
and Friedlander and they're totally opposite in approach and result.
So, I like too many to limit it.
8. How do you educate yourself? Do you read special literature,
visit photography galleries? What photo books/magazines do you have on
your bookshelf?
I read as much as I can. I have several digital
magazines, but my favorites are Shutterbug and Digital Photographer.
However, there are a lot of very expensive periodicals - very artsy in
their orientation - and when I can afford them, I buy them. I believe
you learn the most from looking at other photographs. Once you have the
basics, if you keep your eyes and ears open, you can constantly
re-educate yourself. I spend almost all my online time related to
photography in one way or another.
9. What equipment and software do you use (camera(s), lenses, film, etc.)?
Right now, I use a Nikon D40x, an Olympus SP550 and a Fuji FinePix,
although there is also an old Sony CyberShot somewhere around the
house. I have had many other cameras in the past, but those are long
gone as I totally embraced digital photography. I only have a minimum
of lenses - just a telephoto zoom. When I can save the money I intend
to buy a very wide angel Nikkor, but I can't afford it. But I don't
believe equipment is as important as the end result. I like the cameras
I use, so I feel no need to upgrade. Not yet anyway. I'm not an
equipment-head. I send all photos through LightRoom and then crop in
PhotoShop. Thats all I use.
10. What is your opinion on post-processing, especially enhancing pictures?
I think its DEMANDED of a photographer to do whatever he or she
feels is necessary to deliver a photo that matches the image they saw
in their mind's eye when the pressed the shutter release. Its no
different than dodging or burning on a gelatin print from 1980. I
believe that photography is an art form and therefore should not be
limited by the strange misgivings of people who would strangle the
artist. There are so many photographers now, its rare to find a truly
original image. In fact, most of them are just rehashed from someone
else. How many photos of one's dog can we look at. So, it is the
photographer's duty to make certain that he/she delivers what the photo
actually means by any means necessary. I may not be saying that well,
but post-processing is just one more tool. Not to use it is to wallow
in a swamp of purist insecurity. LOL
11. What advice would you give someone who is interested in photography and wants to improve their photography skills?
I would tell a newbie to jump right in. learn the basics and shoot
a lot of "film," so to speak. Shoot pictures of everything and notice
your results. Copy techniques of other photographers, expose yourself
to the best photographers you can find, and then seek your own vision.
Develop your eye by noticing the world around you and don't let anyone
discourage you from growing. Be true to yourself and always read
whatever you can about what people think makes a photo good. Submit
your work to scrutiny - always - take sound criticism to heart and
brush off the stupidity.
12. What’s the most challenging aspect of photography for you? What’s the best part of it?
The most challenging is that I cannot get out as
much as I want to. I need to travel more and the economy is stifling
that. Its not an excuse, but I need to travel to reawaken the juices,
so to speak. I'm getting older and whether I like it or not, its easy
to get real comfortable and start retarding your growth. Travel - even
local travel - keeps me from getting too set in my ways. The best part
about photography is simply that it lets me express how I feel about
things. Every photo I consider to be final speaks to me in some way
other than what is on the surface. Getting to that point - to that
relationship with a photo - is what its all about for me. So THATS the
best part for me.
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