Interview with:
Todd Follett
Where are you born and when?
Newton, MA USA in mid-October 1980
Where do you live?
North Easton, MA, USA
When and how do you start your path in photography?
I got out of a 15 year relationship in 2016 and found myself at a dark crossroads in my life the next year or two as a result. I was depressed and anxious, living on my own in San Francisco. At some point I decided I needed a reason to go out and invest myself back in the world. Photography was the way I did that! It worked better than I could have imagined; I can honestly say it saved my life.
Who were the three photographers that inspired you at the beginning and who are the three ones that inspire you now?
Please add links to the pages where the images are shown.
Ansel Adams (www.anseladams.com)
Enrique Metinides [Graphic imagery] (https://www.michaelhoppengallery.com/artists/146-enrique-metinides/overview/#/artworks/9863)
Nobuyoshi Araki (https://pen-online.com/arts/le-coeur-serre-araki-04-2/)
They inspired me at the beginning and still inspire me today. True artists!
Did you go to a school or are you a self-taught?
Self-taught, though I got started by reading books on my specific camera (Nikon D3300) and watching some lectures taught by National Geographic photographers.
Do you make photography as a living?
No, every avenue I’ve seen to make money in photography would take away the joy I get out of it in some way, actually.
I used to be a paid photographer for Royale, a big nightclub in Boston, before the pandemic. It was like taking photos at the biggest party you can imagine! That was a dream job for me, it was like a giant photography playground and everyone loved having their photo taken.
What do you like in photography, what is your motivation?
It might sound corny, but I am absolutely in love with the preciousness of moments, freezing time; how you can capture the light, the expression, the tone, the mood, in a way that perhaps can never be caught again.
What do you want to express or arouse in those who watch your images?
I want people to experience a sensuality and intimacy that is deeper than lust. I once heard someone describe “hot” vs “beautiful": ’Hot’ is about accessibility, revealing, desire. But ’beautiful’ is deeper, more profound. It shakes you in a way. I want the beauty in my images to surpass the sexiness of them. The proof is in the photos, hopefully.
What are your preferred moment(s) in the creation process?
I love it all, but I most love when I first go over the photos from a shoot and see what moments I captured. I have a very organic style and I take lots of photos so I’m often surprised by the shots that come out great, and I love that.
What equipment and/or techniques do you use?
It is not a matter of brands/lenses, it is mostly about analog/digital, preferred light (natural/flash), how much post-production, etc.
I like DSLR Wide angle, typically natural light, and as little post production as possible. The way I learned was to do all the work in camera. I also hate editing out people’s imperfections, blemishes. Blemishes accentuate the beauty in a way.
How and why your work as changed since you started?
Hopefully, it’s gotten better!
Early on it was all landscapes, animals, candids, now it’s all portraits. I was also awful at color processing when I started, but now I’m halfway decent!
Why did you decide to join the nudeartzine project?
A photographer I respect, Pascal, was recently involved, and it made me interested to try!
Would you have an insight or advice to give to whomever is watching your work and wants to learn photography?
Master the basics (light, shutter speed, aperture) so you don’t have to think about them anymore - then your creativity can come forward! Don’t do the same things other people do, take chances and have fun.
What are your plans in the future?
Take lots more photos and never stop!
On what page our readers can find more of your work?
https://www.toddfollett.com
Would you like to add something else?
"Don’t love yourself in the art, love the art in yourself"
- Stanislavsky
Books by Todd Follett
|