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Chris De Koker – Interview With The Photographer
When did you first become interested in art, in general?
I don’t remember specifically becoming interested in art, I recall being fascinated at a very early age by the way in which illustrations in a medical book belonging to my mother, had been executed . I don’t remember ever not being interested in art. I suspect I was born with a passion for it.
When did you first become interested in photography, specifically?
From a very young age. Many hours of my youth were spent trying to view my surroundings from different angles and capturing the image in my mind.
In what other forms of art do you also work, if any?
Digital art . Sometimes I am inspired to transform a photo or create an image to express the way I feel or events that are relevant in my life.
On which style of photography do you specialize?
Landscape and seascape photography. I live in an incredibly beautiful region of South Africa , it is difficult to not want to photograph my surroundings
Has your style changed from when you first began?
No . From as early as I can remember I wanted to photograph the outdoors . There is a challenge of being in the right place at the right time and being able to capture a moment in nature that conveys the beauty or uniqueness of a certain area.
What kind of equipment do you use?
I personally prefer digital cameras .
What made you choose that equipment? .
I like to see immediate results and eliminating the need for processing is a big advantage. Digital photographs are extremely adaptable and easily edited which is preferable for digital art.
How do you choose what you’re going to photograph?
I seldom choose what to photograph far in advance. I have my camera with me as often as possible and when something catches my eye, I photograph it. Capturing and sharing scenery and moments in life that many people are too busy to notice is what I aim to achieve, so when the opportunity arises to take a photo of something in my surroundings that others may not have time to appreciate, I seize the opportunity
What kind of editing do you perform on your photographs, if any?
Editing depends on the photo. Sometimes no editing is necessary , sometimes the photo needs to be cropped to enhance a certain feature within the photo and sometimes I enhance the colour for impact. Of course if the photograph is to become a piece of digital art then I edit it extensively .
How much time (on average) does it take to complete a work?
The time it takes depends on my mood. When I am relaxed and undisturbed by mundane issues I can complete a digital work in a matter of minutes. Other times it can take me the best part of a day to achieve what I have visualised in my mind.
How do you know when a piece is finished? Is it easy to walk away?
I can feel it . When a work is complete it just feels right and yes , then it is easy to walk away
What do you do to overcome a ‘block’?
When I experience a block I leave my work alone and concentrate on something entirely different. Dwelling on the block or trying to force it away usually makes it worse. I find if I distract myself with hobbies or simply go for a drive, the inspiration soon returns.
How well do you take criticism and how do you make use of it?
That would depend on where it came from. I welcome criticism from people who are knowledgeable and passionate about photography. Unless the criticism is constructive and a benefit to the photographer with regards improvement of future work or prospect of sales, there really is little point in it.
Who is your favourite photographer?
There are so many photographers I admire but I would have to say , all time great and photographic master Ansel Adams. Not only are his images astounding , but his life philosophy was inspirational , as he said “I hope that my work will encourage self expression in others and stimulate the search for beauty and creative excitement in the great world around us”
Which one of your photographs is your favourite?
It is almost impossible to choose a favourite image. My favourite at the moment is a photo I took of a lake with the mountains and sky reflected in the water.
Have you exhibited any of your work in galleries?
Until fairly recently I have been working in the commercial field, so I have not concentrated on exhibiting in galleries. I hope to change that in the near future.
Will your work be included at any upcoming contests or galleries? If so, where and when?
I have nothing planned for the immediate future. I am concentrating on building my portfolio however there are a few exciting prospects for exhibiting in the New Year.
What are your plans for the future?
I intend to now work full time as a freelance photographer. I would like to set up my own photo gallery from which my work can be permanently viewed and purchased . I hope that I have now reached a point in my life that I can draw the line at having to work on commercial projects and simply pursue that which I love to do the most.
What advice do you have for budding photographers?
Just do it! If photography is something you have a passion for, the world is outside your door. The more photos you take, the better your eye for a great shot will become. Don’t skimp on the quality of your camera .Buy the best equipment you can afford, at the end of the day, your investment will pay off.
Have you done any courses to help you?
Does reading “digital photography for dummies” count ? No I have not done any courses, I have learnt over the years by trial and error.
What do you do to market your work?
My biggest form of marketing is via the internet. I have a website and I am linked to various social networking sites.
Do you use social networking in your day to day life?
http://chrisdekoker.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cdkphotography
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/chris-de-koker.html
Are you available for work (commissions)?
I prefer not to get involved with commission work unless I am truly inspired by the project. There is something about working to order that generally dampens my creativity.
Have you got hobbies?
I love my work, I enjoy it so much it often feels more like a hobby than a job. I do have other interests however. Playing musical instruments and writing music relaxes me and I thoroughly enjoy a good game of golf.
Where are you based?
I am very fortunate to live George, Western Cape , South Africa . A very beautiful and artistically inspiring area.
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Awesome images,and a great read!
Thank you for your positive comment….