Photo artist interview #46 - DUSTIN AKSLAND

• In 1-2 words, what do you shoot?

Us

• What’s your weapon of choice?

Hasselblad 500c and Pentax 67

• Where is your favorite place on earth?

Wherever I’m at.

• Why do you take pictures?

To better understand the world around me.

• What would be your replacement Hobby/Profession if photography was dead?

Cheese maker.

• Sleep, Eat, Sleepwalk while eating?

Sleep

• What do you favor:

B&W or Color? Color

Film or Digital? Film

Studio or Location? Location

Night or Day? Day

Portrait or Landscape? Both

Captain Hero or Cartman? Cartman

• What is your most treasured possession?

My negatives

• Favorite photo book and/or Favorite movie?

American Prospects by Joel Sternfeld

• Photographer/s that inspire you?

Walker Evans, Harry Callahan, Robert Adams, Joel Sternfeld, Paul Graham, Larry Sultan.

• Advice for the younglings out there looking through their first viewfinder?

Shoot, shoot, and shoot some more and then figure out what speaks to you.

• What’s the story behind the photo below?

I shot this on Valentines Day this year. I was driving down the highway and saw these two kids selling flowers and pulled over. When I approached them they asked me if I was a cop, I started laughing and told them no, then they asked me to lift up my shirt, hold my camera above my head and turn around to show them that I wasn’t carrying a gun. I can only imagine what it must of looked like to the people driving by. After all of this I finally asked them if I could shoot their photo. They asked me if I was shooting black & grey film and if it was going to look like an Ansel Adams photo. It was definitely one of those experiences when you are glad you decided to pull over.

• Any future projects or travels?

I just finished a project titled “ Four Days in Dubai” it should be up on my site in a couple of weeks. I’m getting ready to start a new project up in Jamestown, CA and I’m getting ready for a trip to India in January.

• Where can we see more of your work?

dustinaksland.com
fjordphoto.org

• In 1 word, last thing you’d say if time stopped right NOW?

Thanks!


Photo courtesy of the artist "Dustin Aksland"

Thank you ..... No, thank you!!

T2