Interview With 1stAngel

David Gardener

When did you first become interested in art, in general?

I was always an avid drawer as a child, particularly animals and nature which was my main passion all through my childhood. I studied art at school, at which point I realised my talent was somewhat limited to a few pictures!

When did you first become interested in photography, specifically?

My father was an offical photographer in the Royal Air Force, and I was always eager to take photos whenever we went for a day out. I had my first (very basic) camera at the age of 12/13 and have been taking pictures ever since.

In what other forms of art do you also work, if any?

Aside from the occasional doodle, I’m a photographer through-and-through!

On which style(s) of photography do you specialise?

I LOVED my original 35mm Nikon Camera, and would boast I was able to take the perfect photo first time around – specifically because I was unable to afford to have large volumes of films developed! I don’t have a particular style, but love urban and rural landscapes, in both colour and black and white.

Has your style changed from when you first began? If so, why?

As my eye improves, I am constantly developing my style, although my preference for landscapes remains. I have never been keen on what I describe as ‘artsy’ photography (taking a picture of an object for the sake of it) – I always want my pictures to specifically convey an image, inspire a memory or emotion…

What kind of equipment do you use?

I (very reluctantly) moved from film to digital early in 2008, mainly for cost reasons – I now regularly use a CANON EOS 400D with a CANON EFS 18-55mm and CANON ULTRASONIC EFS 55-200mm lenses.

How do you choose what you’re going to photograph?

I never make a conscious decision to take a photograph before I take it – I simply ’see’ a picture in anything and take it there-and-then. I often have my camera with me ready to take a picture at any time.

What kind of editing do you perform on your photographs, if any?

I disagree very strongly with manipulating photographs – I consider HDR and other forms of photography to be a separate art form in it’s own right. I will often view images in both colour and black and white to see whether it improves the image (I often take an image with the mindset of having it in black and white). I will also occasionally crop an image to horizontal or vertical to re-focus the attention on the image.

How do you know when a piece is finished? Is it easy to walk away?

I have no sentimentality towards my images and will remove an image from my collection if I ‘fall out of love’ with it. But I always store them, as I never know when I will change my mind!

What do you do to overcome a ‘block’?

Will occasionally take a break of a few months, which then re-livens my interest in photography and I go out and take a flurry of new pictures.

How well do you take criticism and how do you make use of it?

Some people have suggested my images are all very much variations on a theme, which does not cause any problem for me as all artists of any type have a formula of their own. But I have enough praise that I assume I’m doing something right! My images are very much for me – my memories, my emotions and thoughts

Who is your favourite photographer?

I try not to focus on the work of other photographers too much – I become envious. I’m still a basic amateur!

Which one of your photographs is your favourite?

I don’t have a specific favourite, although I do have several preferred photos – many of which I have submitted with this interview. Occasionally I do take what I consider to be a ‘perfect’ photograph and I’m not afraid to admit that!

Have you exhibited any of your work in galleries?

No, but I would love to – one thing that often frustrates me is a lack of interest in amateur photographers. My Imagekind site was originally set up to attract the interest of gallery owners in the UK and US, but current to no avail.

What are your plans for the future?

I will continue to enjoy my passion, and I would love one day to have my photographs exhibited and sold. Whether that will happen or not I honestly don’t know.

What advice do you have for budding photographers?

My one piece of advice is to keep it natural. Photography is an ‘organic’ artform – photographers will establish their own working practices over time.  It is also important to remember to remain true to the artform. Do you want to take photographs, or do you want to create HDR or other digitally-manipulated forms of art.

Your father must have taken some awesome shots too!  Your images are fantastic and show your love of your art.  Thank you for taking part in the interview!

You can view David’s other photography at http://david-gardener.imagekind.com