As photographers. As creatives. There is a well of creativity which rests deep inside of us. In some cases that is enough to help in creating beautiful images. But in most cases — it is not enough. There needs to be something more. Somethings that sits outside of us and pushes us beyond or comfort zone.
Which is the only place a creative will grow.
For some it’s a dream board. For others it’s an incredible sunrise. But for many others like Dimitri — it’s about family.
Every morning I wake up looking for subjects to photograph, with no target focus in mind…
Interview
LBTL: You would rather create photographs than simply “point and shoot.” That is an incredibly important philosophical distinction. Can you explain the importance of creating images over simply “pointing and shooting?”
DD: The majority of my subjects are the desert landscapes and all that blooms within. The desert at first glance is very dry and colorless until I photograph it with a high megapixel DSLR camera (I favor the Nikon brand D7000 and the D7100). The camera will absorb all of what the desert has to offer in, color, texture, light and layers. The software that I use to create is simply PhotoShop Elements 9.
The software helps me bring out what the eye has not seen through the camera lens, color, contrast, saturation, and depth. For example, a photograph of an agave is no longer just a “desert plant”, it becomes a piece of art that for many explains life in the desert.
LBTL: So for you, photography is an extension of your inner artist? Can you tell me when was your “Ah ha moment!?” When did you realize that photography was simply more than just hardware and software?
DD: My Ah Ha Moment came when my 11 year old son Chase was looking over my shoulder as I was working on a desert bloom. I felt him standing behind me so I asked him what he thought about the cactus bloom that I was working on, and he told me “you make everything beautiful.”
At that moment my life changed. He gave me what I was looking for in my photography. His words were truthful, seen from innocence and inexperience, he could not tell a lie.
LBTL: As artists we must deal with a certain level criticism. Some good. Some bad. Some simply indifferent. Can criticism be a good teacher?
DD: My wife is my biggest critic, she tells me that not everyone will like what I take photographs of. As a photographer, I train my eyes to see what most people don’t. I am aware of my surroundings down to the smallest of detail. I can see a sun spot and see the artistic value in it and my wife sees it for what it is; a sun ray.
So what I have learned about criticism is if I am to become a successful photographer I have to keep an open mind to what appeals to all people.
LBTL: Explain your workflow — from choosing your subject to composition to final product?
DD: Every morning I wake up looking for subjects to photograph, with no target focus in mind just what catches my eye but with conscious thought. My goal when taking photos is to stimulate emotions on the outside as well as the inside.
Recently I took photograph of my sons in water and found that using this element in photos gave me depth that goes beyond the imagination in the final product.
LBTL: If money were no object. And you could go anywhere in the World. Where would you go and what would you photograph?
DD: Photographers need constant inspiration and Porsche is mine. I would love to visit Zuffenhausen a city in Stuttgart where Porsche cars are manufactured. Porsche stands for longevity under all circumstances, from failures to award winning.
Photographing the buildings, designers, engineers, assembly lines, all from start to finish, this would be my dream photography assignment.
Call To Action
Because we will always run down to empty. And will always need to refuel.Find that one thing that inspires you — family, a dream board or that sunrise. And let that external force recharge you.