Photography Interview with photographer Danielle Kelly (& Poetry Challenge)

One Shoot Photography Sunday!

Hello everyone and welcome to the New Year! To kick things off I, Chris Galford, am proud to continue our tradition of connecting wonderful photographers to the community.

For today I bring you Danielle Kelly, a talented photographer from New York. Self-taught and self-motivated, this interviewee’s talents run the gamut of the art, from gorgeous landscape shots to moving and stirring captures of people; be they full of color or black and white—but always brimming with life.

From all of us at One Stop Poetry, let’s start off the New Year by helping to welcome Ms. Kelly...

What originally sparked your interest in photography? How long have you been working with photography?

Danielle: My dad was an NYC firefighter and an amateur photographer. I loved looking at his slides and prints. He was quite good and encouraged me to take pictures as well. I still have the Polaroid he gave me for Christmas back in the late 60's. As well I have his first 35 millimeter camera. I've been taking pictures since I was a teenager, putting the camera down on and off for years always loving the medium. When my mom passed away 6 years ago I needed an outlet for self expression. Because I had no formal education I decided to shoot everyday. Because of that decision, I've grown immensely as a fine art photographer and amassed a body of work of 50,000 images.

What about photography appeals to you?

Danielle:  The appeal for me is that I can make art without having a talent for drawing, painting or writing. It's sort of a silent expression, where I can record my life in little snippets. Some images tell the whole story and some tell a story in a series. It allows me to get outside myself and express something I couldn't otherwise do in words or in painting.

Do you have a personal philosophy about photography? How would you describe your style?
Danielle: I always shoot alone and think twice before sharing ideas. My style of photography has been described as dark and brooding by some. I consider it deep and layered. I process most of my digital images in black and white. And my color work I like to consider a modern view and a bit lighter, perhaps the lighter side of my personality. I wear my heart on my sleeve.
 

Do you have any favorite spots/locations for your photography?

Danielle:  I adore walking around NYC, especially Central Park, Chinatown, Coney Island Soho and the Meatpacking District...or anywhere I can find a great landscape or interesting people.

What has been your experience with the internet as a medium for sharing your art and photography?

Danielle: The experience for me has been for the most part a great thing. It allowed me to get my images out to places I would not been able to otherwise, but I find that I have to get out and network as well. Social networking can only go so far. I believe people want to see the prints in their hands or hanging on a wall rather than a computer screen. It's great to go to shows at the galleries you want to show in and meet curators, and going to openings.

Do you find any common ground between photography and other creative pursuits like writing or poetry? Danielle:  Yes...it's all about expressing oneself.

What sort of education/experiences have you gone through to get where you are today?
Danielle:  I am a self taught photographer, reading books and taking courses at ICP. Also a member of ASMP, I am always going to lectures and museums, looking at books.

How much of your work/photography in general would you say is pure shot vs. post-processing/digital editing?
Danielle:  It's all about getting the shot in camera first. This is an ongoing discussion among photographers who shoot with a digital camera. I believe that  film images gets messed with in processing as well with dodge and burn and other manipulations. For me using Photoshop is the same. There are millions of photographers shooting digital images so yours better stand out in a sea of images!
 

What kind of camera, lenses, filters, and/or editing programs do you typically use? 
Danielle:  I shoot with both digital and film cameras…Canon 5d Mark II - Fuji 645W - diana - various lenses. But I do love my Canon 17/40.

What would you suggest to people just beginning with photography?
Danielle:  Shoot for yourself and shoot a lot. Also it's not about the camera—it's about the work!

Are there any photography resources you would recommend for individuals who wish to know more about the art form?
Danielle:  There are many many categories of photography one may be interested in. Photo books are a great way to find information as well there are various blogs. Here are some of the ones I read:

http://elizabethavedon.blogspot.com/
http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/
http://blog.stellakramer.com/
http://artmostfierce.blogspot.com/

Here is one site with tons of info on photography as well... http://www.photography-colleges.org/the-top-100-photography-blogs/

To learn more about Danielle or her work, check out the following links:
twitter: @daniellekelly
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/danielle.kelly
DK's official website: http://www.dkellyphotography.com

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Now for the Picture Prompt Challenge!

Write a poem (or Flash Fiction 55) based on the prompt.
Post it on your site.
Sign up using Mr. Linky so people can find your work.
Let us know what you are sharing by leaving a comment below.
Finally, visit other participants, comment, & give credit to Danielle Kelly in your post. 

Thank you,
dustus

Accept the picture prompt challenge! :)

photo by Danielle Kelly (Coney Island)