It’s Friday, Friday! The most glorious day of the week. Friday means having a chat with another talented artist. Today Kell Rowe from Blackcurrant Photography is my guest.
How did you get started in photography?
I’ve been taking photos from a very young age (I was given my first camera when I was ~7) but didn’t really get into it until I was 16 and started studying it 4 days a week at high school. After high school I was accepted into a highly competitive course at TAFE in 1999. I then went on to office roles before returning to study in 2010. Long story short, I’ve been working on my art and had a camera in my hand for at least half my life and now have my own business.
What makes a great Australian naturescape photo?
That’s such a difficult question to answer as so many people have their own perceptions as to what a nature photograph should look like. With my own work, I try to capture an emotion, and create a piece of art, rather than just photographing a flower. I think about how I feel looking at a scene and how I can share that with someone who wasn’t there.
I like to chase light and look for the magic in everyday moments. One of my favourite times of the day is when the light is low and golden. It skips across my lawn, illuminating blades of grass so that they glow. I could stare at it for ages.
Looking to other Australian nature photographers, I’m captivated by landscapes, colour and movement. My favourite landscape and street photography images are ones where the eye can look around and take in a scene, making the viewer feel like they are there.
What image are you most proud of?
Some of my favourite images are the results of happy accidents. One that I really love is of the interior of St Georges Cathedral in Perth. It was a rainy day and I’d gone to explore another building nearby. I had 6 exposures left on my 3200iso film, and no tripod, so I just had to rest the camera on a table. When I processed the film back at TAFE, the film was too thin. In the old darkroom days I’d just have had to bin it. Instead, I was able to scan it and do some work in Photoshop. I love the way the image turned out, and it’s very different from what people consider to be my usual work.
In terms of my nature photography, I always get chuffed photographing native orchids, as some are quite hard to find!
What’s the last song you listened to?
I think it was “I’ll be there for you” by Bonjovi. I have their Crossroads CD in my car for short trips when I can’t be bothered with the iPod. The CD reminds me of hanging out with my friends when we were about 13.
What are you looking forward to the most over the holidays?
Splashing out on some fancy poultry from Mondos, and watching Love Actually with my husband. It’s our sweet little Christmas eve ritual. Wrapping gifts for my customers – I’ve bought the most delightful purple wrapping paper. Oh and I’m also hanging out to get this handmade dragonfly ring I’ve been ogling on Etsy for ages.
Follow Kell
Etsy: www.blackcurrantshop.etsy.com
T: @blackcurrantpix
F: www.facebook.com/blackcurrant.photography
P: www.pinterest.com/blackcurrant