The Great Progressive
Julia from Beyond Robson interviewed me for her weekly feature on local photographers. An excerpt A copy of the article is listed below listed below, or you can read the original article on Beyond Robson.
“Elizabeth S, who goes by the name “rocketcandy” on Flickr, started handling cameras not so long ago before she realized that it would be one of her dominant passions in life. Frequently spotted sharing her photos on the BR Flickr Pool, her work progressively becomes better with each one of her adventures.
Her photos are seemingly sharp while smooth and nowadays posses a sort of drama that I don’t often see, particularly in her black and white photos. What caught my attention about her work is that she takes a dull subject and turns it into a spectacular photo. Among all, I think she is on her way to becoming simply great because she posses one distinctive quality about her work as a photographer, that is capturing moments through the lens from her heart. She doesn’t photograph to show off, to get money or to earn popularity yet she is constantly inspired by Vancouver’s settings to satisfy her craving for the art form that is photography. Simply said she photographs through her soul not through the image.”
How long have you been indulging in the craft of photography?
I took some photography classes in high school and got a digital camera in 2005, but I really started messing around with my camera the summer I went to California, which was last year. There were so many vivid colours and sticky sunshine everywhere! When I came back to Vancouver in the autumn I was more resolved to start heading out into the urban landscape and take chances.
From all your adventures, any place in Vancouver that is particularly your favourite to photograph?
I like to lurk on Main Street and West Broadway looking for street art. It’s a fairly interesting neighbourhood and I’ve managed to walk all the way from Broadway station to Main Street twice! Otherwise, the seashore and beaches is a favourite spot though I don’t get to visit too often.
Your work is very vast, sometimes fun loving, sometimes dramatic. What style/mood of photography do you prefer the most?
I don’t think I actually really focus on a particular style when I’m out with my camera. Usually its the colours/shape or pseudo-experimentation that influences me, or if I’m out with my friend Karen, we’ll both take photos of the same stuff and compare it afterwards.
What gets you excited? Is it to see how the images of people turn out, some awesome architecture or…?
What gets me excited are the little stories behind the photographs and the mood or emotion that I think is being expressed, the vivid vibe. I love taking photographs of street art the most! It’s like looking for hidden candy treasures throughout the city.
What sort of camera (s) do you use and would like to purchase in the future?
I use a Canon Powershot a520. I also own a Ricoh film camera and several Polaroid cameras I inherited from my dad. Someday I’d like to get my hands on a lomo, or a DSLR and play with the RAW function.
What makes a great photographer?
Creativity and inspiration! Many mundane photo objects can be transformed by a fresh perspective or new point of view.
Do you think the Vancouver photographers nowadays get too much credit for being great when really their work is relatively mediocre?
I think the real problem is that the people who criticize and compliment really deep down know too much about nothing in particular. An opinion based on irrelevant information isn’t helpful and I think that constructive criticism is much more preferable.
In the instance of photography, what do you think Vancouver photographers are missing or have too much of?
I think we don’t have enough of diversity in the different styles oh photographs. X-pro is just beginning to catch on and as the winter 2010 Olympics approach-we have more photos of the homeless downtown, but otherwise there isn’t a specific theme to follow.
When it comes to your work, are you mostly satisfied with it? Or do you crave for better, splashier, more dramatic pieces?
Whenever I look through my photo stream I’m constantly thinking-I can do better than this! I’m just a little bit dissatisfied with the end product a couple months afterwards but it drives to improve my photography skills and learn more.
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