Sincerely Yours
Spring 2012 Volume 2, Issue 3
CONTENTS 4
16
18
28
38
40
52
58
64
74
82
92
* Front Cover Photo by Laura Cammarata
CONTRIBUTERS Founder and Editor-In-Chief ANGELA MARKSBERRY
Co-Editor
LAUREN POTTER
Graphic Design
ANGELA MARKSBERRY
Staff
anna gutermuth
Featured Artists andreea sticlea Anna cervinkova Anna keiko gina vasquez giulia parlato gloria marigo josephine peneff laura cammarata nikki chicoine patricia alvarado rosa joy sam williamson
SPOTLIGHT
ANDREEA STICLEA https://secure.flickr.com/photos/penguina-mica
PATRICIA ALVARADO //Photographer
What inspires you to take the pictures that you take? I’m divided in half when it comes to my photography. On one hand, I’m interested in creating work by using past experiences and memories to inform projects, and on the other hand, I enjoy the simple act of photographing everyday scenes. I’m also very intrigued by light, and the ways in which it transforms objects differently each day.
Do you ever rely on Photoshop? I can honestly say that the only thing I use Photoshop for is dusting scanned negatives, and maybe a bit of contrast tweaking at times. As washed out as this may sound, I’ve always found so much charm in the act of shooting film. I couldn’t even tell you the last time I picked up my digital camera. My first camera was a 35mm Olympus given to me by my father, and more recently I’ve been shooting with an 8x10 film camera. I spend tons of time in the darkroom,whether it be developing film or making prints; it makes me appreciate materials and time much more than Photoshop ever has. How long have you been serious about photography? I’d say since my senior year in high school, but I don’t think I produced anything worth looking at until I started college specifically, when I took my first photography class. Have you ever sold your work? I have! I’m a sophomore at the
Minneapolis College of Art and Design and each year they host a gigantic art sale in the school. My first time participating in the sale, I sold a few photographs and was so proud of myself. My second time, I felt like I had a better grasp on what would sell and what wouldn’t, and ended up selling the majority of the work I submitted. It’s a lovely feeling. In your opinion, what would you say is more important; good knowledge or good equipment when it comes to photography? I think both are important and a lack of either could be detrimental in terms of how your work turns out. But, I suppose I’ll say that good knowledge has a slightly greater importance in my mind, because though both can be acquired over time, a greater knowledge of the history of photography, the way light works, and how to properly expose a photograph seems more important than having a 21 megapixel camera.
NIKKI CHICOINE //Photographer
What interested you in photography? I always loved being able to capture moments. That's what is so special about photography, that no matter what, that little moment in time is frozen exactly how it was. You can view it, remember it, dwell on it, and live in it, but the fact of the matter is, without the camera you would have no visual representation of life. I started photography to capture my life and remember it; to show the world little bits of me. When did you become aware that you have a great talent when it comes to photography? I'm still not aware, but I honestly didn't know I had any talents with it until about May of 2010. I just thought it was fun; I thought I would never get better and I just enjoyed doing it, but recently photography has started to drive my life. I'm realizing now that I may possibly have a future career in something that I care so much about.
If you weren't taking pictures, what would you be doing? I honestly have no clue, I can't even go a day without thinking about photography, taking pictures, and composing images. It's scary how much something can rule your life; photography is all I've known for the past 3 years, and I feel like I would be lost without it. Does music ever inspire you to take certain photos? Recently, I feel like maybe my photos inspire what music I listen to, which is a funny concept. I love music, don't get me wrong, but I think music only makes me feel emotions, it doesn't necessarily inspire me. I'm much more inspired by the 1800's, the 1920's, surrealism, and paintings.
How would you summarize your work? My photographs produce feelings. I pour my heart and soul into them in order to create some sort of emotional response from my viewers. I'm inspired by my surroundings and the remnants of memories from my childhood; my photos appear to be dreamy, in tune to nature, and thoughtful. I have a dedication to self portraiture that allows me to explore my own perspective of life and of my experiences on this planet.
SPOTLIGHT
GINA VASQUEZ www.flickr.com/photos/ginaballerina/
ROSA JOY //Photographer
What genre of photography are you most interested in? I like stories; and photographs tell them well. I am interested in showing a narrative through my pictures, whether it be portraiture or photojournalism – a snapshot which captures the essence of a tale in its entirety. Your 'Pain and Photography' photo speaks volumes. I read your thought process behind it and was wondering if you could summarize it for our readers. ‘Pain and Photography’ was a blogpost which grew out of a fortnight’s thought during a particularly difficult month and culminated in a series of photographs. Essentially I ask where the line between art and journalism falls, and whether self-portraiture transgresses these boundaries. I argue that presenting “true” pain in photographs is helpful to both the viewer and the subject and that, paradoxically, depicting true pain also shows proof of hope. I wrote the post over a year ago and looking back on it now, I still find that a lot of it rings true for me, and also that it can be applied to my new work and my new thinking on photojournalism.
If you could work alongside any one photographer, who would it be? I recently discovered Luc Delahaye’s work, at an exhibition in London. I would love to work with him, not only because I would love to try my hand at working with large-format film, but because he travels across the globe to interesting places and finds the stories there most worth telling. What goal are you working towards in your photography and when will you know you have reached it? I’m an English Literature student who almost became a musician, so when I tell people I want to be a photojournalist it can feel like I’m not taken seriously. Recently, though, my work has paid for me to travel to Africa again in the summer and volunteer with the charity Read International – and just a few days ago I was commissioned to take photographs of their projects while I’m out there. Ultimately I would love to travel on assignment and document the stories of people who need their voices heard. I feel like I’m on my way towards my goal already.
What advice would you give to someone that is just starting out with photography? I’ve always been afraid of making mistakes and being able to lose that inhibition was what made photography most magical to me. Don’t be afraid of changing your mind. Experimenting is important. Ask advice from the people you admire. Go out and search for the picture; don’t expect it to come to you. Never find yourself without your camera. Think before you shoot.
GIULIA PARLATO //Photographer
What initially interested you into photography? I don't remember exactly how I got in touch with photography. In my family everybody loves art. My brother and I have always been accustomed to travel widely visiting many museums filled with beautiful photography exhibitions, but I think it started in my city, in Palermo with an exhibition of Yann Arthus Bertrand "The Earth From Above." I started to see photography in a completely different way. I wanted it to be a way to express myself, I wanted to transform the portraits that I usually made in charcoal, in real people, in photographs.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to capture emotion in their photographs? In that moment, forget that you have a camera and become part of the scene and establish a connection with the subject you are going to shoot. Which photographer do you look up to? My favorite is definitely Tim Walker. His photographs evoke power. Every shot is unique. Where does your inspiration come from? I'm inspired by French films like "Love Me if You Dare" but it mainly comes from music. When I listen to Beirut, Soap & Skin, Agnes Obel and Feist; I enter into a world of ideas and I can easily find inspiration. I'll also glance through Vogue and Elle and spend some time surfing the internet where I often find very interesting new photographers.
Where does your inspiration come from? I'm inspired by French films like "Love Me if You Dare" but it mainly comes from music. When I listen to Beirut, Soap & Skin, Agnes Obel and Feist; I enter into a world of ideas and I can easily find inspiration. I'll also glance through Vogue and Elle and spend some time surfing the internet where I often find very interesting new photographers. Do you prefer digital or film photography? I prefer digital photography because I'm used to working with it, the times are more immediate and post-production is easier. But sometimes I like to bring my yashica and shoot a few portraits in black and white.
wild scarlet by laura cammar
rata
GLORIA MARIGO //Photographer
How did you get started in photography? I started almost by accident about four years ago, photographing the accessories in my closet. Who is an inspiration to you? Tim Burton, Annie Leibovitz, Sofia Coppola, Tim Walker and more. I could go on for a while. How would you describe photography to someone who had no idea what photography is? Photography is something totally magical, something that can enclose in an instant, a great moment.
Which photographer would you want to work with? Foreign photographer, Tim Walker. Italian photographer, Paolo Roversi. Summarize your work. Romantic, mysterious and faded.
WHITE LIES BY SAM WILLIAMSON
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MUA: JENNI MUIR, STYLING: JESS WU, MODEL: ELAINE FORD @ SUPERIOR MODEL MANAGEMENT www.samwilliamsonphoto.co.uk
ANNA CERVINKOVA //Photographer
When did you become aware that you have a great talent when it comes to photography? I wouldn’t say I have a great talent, but I found my interest in photography in 2005 when my parents got their first digital camera. Capturing moments of our lives really fascinated me. Until that time, however, I wasn't allowed to take photos because it was analog and expensive. In 2006 I became the main possessor of my family's camera and started exploring the world of photography. How long have you been serious about photography? I wanted to get a DSLR after learning there is something more than using a small compact camera that takes better photos. Finally I got a low-end Canon DSLR for my 18th birthday. This year I upgraded to a semi-professional camera and I take it more and more serious everyday.
You recently sent in a short bio to Sincerely Yours Magazine describing your dream, could you explain that to our readers? My dream is to work as a photographer for fashion magazines or brands. I never inclined to shootdocumentary, ordinary life or other such things, I’m always floating somewhere in my dreams, and perceive the outer reality in a different way. I see the beauty in everything. Fashion or portrait photography would allow me to capture pretty things the way I see them. Maybe this opinionchanges throughout the years, but for now, my biggest dream is to shoot campaigns for Chanel.
I read that you like "dreamy photos and fairy-tales." How do fairy-tales influence your work, if at all? Rather than being inspired by fairy-tales the fairytale is the way I see the world. Life rolls around me like one big story and I try to capture the beauty of all those magical moments. Someday in the end I want to gather all the people who meant something to me in a big cinema and watch our life again and again – like a movie. Discuss it, have fun and replay all the funny moments we enjoyed. I hope our life will be worth watching! If you could summarize your work to someone who has never seen it before, what would you say? Mostly portraits, girls and bokehish (yep, those magical colorful circles in the background), and in the evening, back light with a lens flare and shots in the forest. One or more of these characteristics could be used to describe every one of my photos.
ANNA KEIKO //Photographer
How long have you been serious about photography? I've always took pictures in some form since I was really little, with disposables, etc.I remember when I turned eight and I got my first digital camera, and all I could do was take pictures. I think the real turning point for me was at the end of eighth grade, beginning of ninth when I self-taught myself to use my mom's DSLR. I've taken photography seriously for around two years.
What is the best advice you could give to someone who is just starting out in photography? My advice is to never stop taking pictures and never stop trying to learn more. Look at others' work and experiment. Do you ever look at photography as work? I definitely do. Although, I have never been paid for the pictures I take, I see photography in my future. If you could work with any photographer, who would it be? This is such a hard question, at the moment I would probably want to work with Nirrimi Firebrace, I love her work so much. She inspires me a lot and I think she has a unique way of capturing people and I already learn so much just from looking at her work.
How would you describe your work as a photographer? Since I haven't been doing photography seriously for that long, I would say I've been experimenting a lot. One of things a lot of people have said about my photography is that it's very intimate and personal.
Interested in being featured?
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