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Skip Hunt – Interview With The Photographer
http://skiphunt.carbonmade.com
http://www.skiphuntphotography.com
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When did you first become interested in art, in general?
I guess my first “interest in art” came when I started making costumes for my teddy bear using pins and bits of fabric when I was about 7 or 8 years old. From then on I was fascinated by combining various bits of color and texture together to create something that didn’t exist before. Not sure where that came from, but the more I think about it, maybe I didn’t quite like how that portion of my childhood was going and was abstractly trying to change my surrounding through creative endeavor? Who knows… but I haven’t stopped since. 
When did you first become interested in photography, specifically?
When I was about 14 years old, my mother brought home a Pentax K1000 35mm camera. She showed it to me. I held it in my hands for a few minutes and didn’t want to give it back. 
Soon I had my own and I have been making images obsessively ever since.
In what other forms of art do you also work, if any?
I also love to work in motion graphics, video, film, etc. And, I love telling stories… so being a photographer, filmaking seems to be the most logical progression.
On which style(s) of photography do you specialize?
Mostly street and travel photography. Because I love to travel and document my memories for my own future enjoyment when I’m too broken up to travel anymore. I figure, I might as well make them pleasant to look at.
Has your style changed from when you first began? If so, why?
My style has changed somewhat since I began… because in the beginning I found myself emulating other photographer’s work I admired. Eventually I evolved into my own style.
What kind of equipment do you use?
I have used pretty much every kind of camera out there at one point or another. But, currently shoot digital Nikon d300, Panasonic LX3, and compute with Apple Macs.
What made you choose that equipment?
I really like the Panasonic LX3 because its compact and allows me to get better street stuff without being noticed. It also has a very nice Leica lens on it that produces a look that I find nicely organic and similar to film. I shoot Nikon equipment because I like the built-in functionality like power commanding remote flashes.
What do you say to those people that say digital camera photographers are not true photographers?
I say they’re ignorant. I say that from the moment you choose which camera you’re going to use… to which lens to shoot… to what film or ISO setting to use… to which shutter speed and aperture you’re going to set…. etc. You are personally engaged in the image. No more and no less with digital as opposed to film photography. I’ve done MUCH of both kinds of photography, and the comment used to anger me. Now, it just makes me feel sorry that they’re so ignorant and don’t have the eye and spirit of a “true photographer” like me
How do you choose what you’re going to photograph?
That’s a tough one. I really don’t know what I’m going to photograph. I see it and then get this feeling that’s hard to explain… and then I’m compelled to make an image.
What kind of editing do you perform on your photographs, if any?
I strive to get the digital camera’s I shoot, tweaked so that with careful composition… I have to do very little editing at all. But, usually end up fine tuning levels, saturation, and sharpening in Photoshop.
How much time (on average) does it take to complete a work?
Depends on the image, but usually no more than 15mins.
How do you know when a piece is finished? Is it easy to walk away?
It used to be more difficult, but these days I know right away when it’s “finished” and find it very easy to walk away… and go make something new.
What do you do to overcome a ‘block’?
I do get this “block” every now and then. What seems to work without fail, is to convince myself that I can go out and make images without any having to be good. Just shoot anything and everything. And then I find that the act of doing seems to always kick-start the creativity again on it’s own. In short, I just “Do it.”
How well do you take criticism and how do you make use of it?
I didn’t used to take criticism very well at all. Eventually I became very confident in my work and what I was trying to do. I also realized that I would never please everyone anyway. So, if I was content and no one else liked what I was doing at all… it didn’t matter so much. Still, the fact I cannot look at my own work without the personal connection and memory of how I felt and where I was when I made the image… I have to consider that other’s don’t have that reference. If enough don’t seem to connect to a given image that I personally love, I just sort of keep those to myself and take them out of public circulation.
Who is your favourite photographer?
I have many favorite photographers… but, at the moment my favorites are Edward Weston and Andre Kertesz.
Which one of your photographs is your favorite?
I have many favorites… but perhaps the one that gives me the most pleasure on several levels, is my “Porto Cat Feed” image.
Have you exhibited any of your work in galleries?
I just started exhibiting right at a year ago. It’s been going quite well and keep finding new art spaces to invade. This year I hope to expand out into other cities and countries other than Austin, Texas where I will soon reach a saturation point.
Will your work be included at any upcoming contests or galleries?
I really don’t like the idea of art as “competition” at all. Something about that concept seems to really rub me wrong and seems counter to what I believe “art” should be. So no… will not likely be participating in contests anytime soon. But, I do have several art spaces throughout Austin that I’m currently exhibiting in and will soon hang new work in Wimberly, Texas as well.
What are your plans for the future?
My current plans are to find a way to get back on the road and continue with my quest to see as much of this glorious planet as possible before I die. And, save as many of the best bits in the form of photographs for others to enjoy long after I’m gone.
What advice do you have for budding photographers?
Don’t worry about the “rules”. Start with the basics, then find a photographer’s work you like… and learn to emulate their work. Keep shooting, and eventually you will evolve into your OWN style.
These questions are new and if you have already been published, these are the extra ones you may like to add. For new interviewees just carry on answering please.
Have you done any courses to help you?
I took a basic photography course in High School, and then another one in college. After that, it’s been all self taught.
What do you do to market your work?
The internet has made it pretty easy to get eyeballs looking at your work. However, I’ve found that to get folks to pull the trigger and actually buy your work… they need to see it in person. Also helps if they feel like they “know” the artist a bit.
Do you use social networking in your day to day life?
Just got into Social Networking recently and LOVE it. Though, I may need to cut myself off from it from time to time so that I’m free to travel and make new images.
Here are a few links to where I’m mostly active lately:
http://skiphuntphotography.tumblr.com/
http://15×100.com/member.php?member=70
http://www.facebook.com/people/Skip-Hunt/638411925
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Skip-Hunt-Visual-Artist-Photography/41399448169?v=wall&viewas=0
Are you available for work (commissions)?
Yes, of course! Contact me via one of my websites. My new one is http://skiphunt.carbonmade.com
Have you got hobbies?
My hobbies are all kinds of great music, film, photography, good wine, world culture, and travel.
Where are you based?
I’m currently based out of Austin, Texas U.S.A.
You have such a wonderful eye for colour. You seem to take the normal and show the vitality beneath. Thank you for sparing the time for an interview.
You can see more of Skip’s photography at http://skiphunt.carbonmade.com & http://www.skiphuntphotography.com
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