Q. Describe Lori Whalen’s ambition in photography?
A. I actually am extremely happy when I hold a camera. I have moments of indecision, some doubt, but something always makes my mind jump to what I think the scene needs or what I would like the photo to convey. I call this my minds eye! Most times my mind sees it better than my reality, but on occasion it leads to some kind if artistic inspiration. My ambition, hence, is to be able to take an idea and with intent make it happen. Easily said, not always easily done.
Q. When did you buy your first camera, and what kind was it, and did you start with film or digital?
A. 3 years ago for Christmas my husband Ed bought me a Nikon 60 D. Digital camera. I hated it, there were too many hidden menu options, and it totally frustrated me.
Q. If you started with film was the transition to digital a hard task?
A. I do remember having a Pentax film camera that did nothing automatically in the 80′s. I had a friend who used to cut rolls of B & W movie film for me to shoot with and he would process them for me. I cannot imagine doing that now. We are in an instant world and it would kill me to have to wait for development. I would be so frustrated to not be able to manipulate my own images. I love post processing almost as much, if not more than the taking of an image.
Q. Do you consider photography as a hobby or as a way of living?
A. It’s my way of life. I couldn’t imagine ever being without some form of camera. The world is full of such glorious inspiration, and the moment that anything wows me I feel the need to record it. It can be the most insignificant thing, but to me it is a moment captured in my time capsule. I WILL remember it, and where I was, and usually why I took the photo. It will always have meaning to me.
Q. As a photographer what were your most difficult challenges?
A. Learning to slow down, to breathe to relax and be in the moment taking in more than one speck of space that I am trying to capture. What I mean, is to look at the subject from all angles to see little items that shouldn't be in the image and to think ahead of just snapping shots and hoping at least one will be usable. In camera great is better than Photoshop good!
Q. What is you favorite subject to photograph, and why?
A. This is so difficult. I think it may need a three part answer. I couldn't choose one thing but I could choose 3 categories that I couldn’t live without shooting. Anything that moves! Huge category right? I know, but if it moves fast I want to chase it. If I don’t get it the first time I can wait for the next, but it will get bumped up to the top of my list! I have so many things I have done in my life that I loved, that I don’t do now, but I can photograph them. I love planes, trains, antique Reva and Chris Craft boats, 12 meter yachts, horses, rodeos, and any bird or animal. Especially birds and raptors.
Barns and generally any old thing! If it’s rusty I love it. I don’t want to own it, I just want to shoot it.
Beautiful landscapes that take my breath away twice. Once when I take the photo, and every time I look at it. Sometimes I get goose-bumps just looking at a photo. Memories of the initial awe will fill my heart. It’s a beautiful thing, and nothing captures a moment in time with the such reality and emotion like an image that has meaning. Three people could look at the same image a feel varying emotional tug. That is power and no art does that with the precision of a single moment like photography.
Q. What gets Lori inspired?
A. Life gets me inspired. Living, learning, sharing ideas, being kind, and loving the people close to you so much, that they never doubt that you will be there anytime they need you. I love faithful friends who care and love you unconditionally. We only come this way once so if you do something great, I will applaud you. I am not jealous of another’s good work I revere it.
Q. Have you done any street photography?
A. On occasion, but I do not like it much. It has no emotional attachment to me, and usually doesn’t portray emotion to me either. I want a photo to inspire a question, to engage the viewer. There are extremely talented street photographers out there whose work will take you breathe away but it isn’t my niche so I don’t work at it.
Q. If yes what was your most interesting photo?
A. I don’t think I have one and if it isn’t popping or jumping into my head I must not have one. I think street photography is capturing a significant moment. I like engagement with a stranger and by talking or engaging, it isn’t street work any more it becomes a portrait. I now have chosen a specific outcome and changed the dynamic.
Q. What camera brand do you use now, and which is your favorite lens?
A. Canon, is there any other? I love my 24-70mm f/2.8L for an anytime lens.
Q. We all know that to be a good photographer you must have an artistic EYE. How did you realize that you have that eye?
A. I am so opinionated I don’t think I cared. I know what I want and need to see and most likely someone I admired told me I had one. A good eye is simply living what you see, capturing it and still loving it!
Q. How important is post processing for you?
A. Love love love it. It’s like a paintbrush on the world as I see it.
Q. What editing software do you use?
A. Everything! Photoshop, NIK, Topaz , Lightroom, all apple products, but mainly Adobe products are my go to and any plug in that I can find. I also use AKVIS and a few other relatively unknown softwares on occasion.
Q. How do you keep your images organized?
A. By location and type. ie… Massachusetts >town > lighthouses > month and year.
Q. Do you carry your camera everywhere you go?
A. Everywhere except the bathroom! And I have shot a few bathrooms come to think of it.
Q. Have you ever missed a good shot because you don’t have your camera?
A. Yes of course, hasn’t everyone. It doesn’t kill me though. I soon forget it and try not to dwell. There are times you need to view and not record, to be in the moment as a participant not a photographer. Otherwise the camera is everything and your life takes a second place.
Q. What is something special or unique about Lori that most of her friends like?
A. Lord I wouldn’t know. If I had to guess I would say I am fun, and will be there if you need anything. I may crab about it but I will be there.
Q. Do you network with social media?
A. Yes, I love anything with to do with social technology. It’s so fascinating, all of it and I love the gadgets we use to be in contact with the world. Skype has become a life line for my husband and I while he is serving in the Army in Kuwait.
Q. How do you scout locations, and do you keep a list of places to shoot at?
A. I do keep a list of ideas and locations. I find a lot of places by getting lost on purpose! It’s amazing what you can find when you look at a place for the first time. I keep a list of ideas too.
Q. What motivates you when behind the lens?
A. Movement and color mostly, but the desire to capture what I see as beautiful.
Q. Do you get nervous when someone is watching you and patiently waiting for the results?
A. Maybe for a moment and then it passes. Everyone wants to please the viewer so taking the time to do it correctly is crucial and it can be difficult to step outside of that panic to use your brain and figure it out.
Q. What books and magazines do you read?
A. Magazines: Smithsonian, National Geographic traveler are my favorites, but anything with grand photography and for books, anything with murder and mystery I will devour. I also listen to books when I am on the road. I do tend to be on the road a great deal. It passes the time wonderfully.
Q. What would you advice new photographers whom waiting to have a name for them in this industry?
A. Take your time to learn your art and don’t be afraid to fail.
Q. How can clients reach you for a photo shoot? Please provide links or email address?
A. email: loriwhalen@me.com or http://6degreezs.net
Q. One last question, what is your dream camera to buy?
A. I own it. 5D Mark III I adore this camera. I do however dream about a 500 mm lens!
Q. Would you like to add anything?
A. It has been my pleasure to have met, shot, and shared ideas with you, Mo.
Lori, I can’t thank you enough for being in my interview…
For some people at one point the camera becomes their best friend and they can’t live without. I know that for a fact because I’m one of them. We need not to over look the person or the artist that holding that camera. My personal view is that if the photographer helps people to have profound realizations when they look at their images, then they have reached their goal. Photographers, they controlled that tool “camera”. They contemplated and recorded. You saw and smiled or maybe had tears. You commented or shared. Mission accomplished.
Please visit Lori’s website too see some more of her amazing recorded arts.
Lori Whalen
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