An Interview With Photographer Emma DiMarco

Although all art is subjective, it seems that the lines of subjectivity versus objectivity become blurred in today's world given the immense amount of media we consume on a daily basis. As we are continually inundated with media on a daily basis, I have come to the slow realization that this mass consumption has led many to believe that photography is an objective art. Those without any knowledge of the medium are quick to judge a good photograph from a bad photograph, why a picture has a low resolution, or why they chose the model and background they did.

Thus, it is rather serendipitous to find a photographer who works not only commercially but also from a fine arts perspective. On this post you will find my interview with photographer Emma DiMarco, a Fordham University alum. I was introduced to her work through a postcard that was printed for her senior exhibition and continues to live on the walls just outside of the Fordham University Lincoln Center darkroom, a place I nearly live in during the school year. I am incredibly fascinated by her ability to seamlessly capture both commercial, studio-based subjects while also honing her eye for everyday photography. As an introduction, here are a few of my favorite photographs that she has taken: 

How did you get into photography?

My mom is a photographer, and I always grew up around cameras and photography. We had a darkroom in my basement when I was a kid and I was always so fascinated watching my mom develop and print photographs. I actually thought it was some type of magic when she'd put the paper in the developer and the image would start to appear. 

Isn't that one of the best feelings? I'm still obsessed with it. But my mom has always been incredibly supportive and helpful in my growing as a photographer. I always wanted to be just like her, so naturally I picked up a camera one day and never put it down. 

How would you describe your style of photography?

This is a tough one. I think that it is always changing and evolving. I still feel like I haven't really found my voice as an artist and photographer, but like does anybody ever feel like that? I don't know; I'd say its quirky, sometimes weird and usually humorous, although I don't know if most people pick up on the humor in it. I'd like to think it's timeless, that you could look at the image and not know when it was taken. But I really don't know, I have a really hard time talking about my own work!

What photographers, or artists in general, inspire you?

William Eggleston. He is my favorite ever of all time. 

But also Petra Collins, Daniel Arnold, Wim Wenders, Maggie Rogers (my style ICON), Bruce Springsteen (and dad rock in general), Lauren Withrow, Sophie Elgort (my boss, she teaches me lots of things and keeps me wanting to shoot), Jimmy Marble, Cass Bird (gay icon AND photographer: a win win) and Amy Lombard. 

Where do you look for inspiration outside of artists? 

Driving around for sure. Or just wandering around. People are fucking weird and I find it fascinating the way they interact and create their own homes and living spaces. Also Instagram is a big one. I love instagram. 

As a photographer, do you feel a divide in taking pictures of "work" versus personal joy? Or have those two realms merged together for you? 

For sure. It's something I've struggled with forever. I've always taken senior portraits and they've been so basic, so unlike any of my personal work, because my personal work has always mainly been landscape-ish photos. But lately I've been working on taking portraits for my personal work and trying to merge that style into the stuff I do for clients. 

I think that keeping it separate might be a good thing though? I'm not sure. I don't want to ruin how much I enjoy doing my personal projects by trying to profit off of them or make them feel too much like "work".

And what are your optimal photo-taking conditions?

Out and about, ideally in a new space. I have a hard time photographing things that feel too familiar to me. Being confined to a studio is really difficult for me, and feels too forced. I like to be in real life- ideally somewhere in the middle of nowhere. 

Analog or digital? And what's your favorite camera to shoot on? 

Analog, always! I've shot on the same Canon AE-1 program since I was 14. I love it. Although for work stuff, digital. 

Do you have a favorite photo you've taken? 

I basically hate every photo I've ever taken. The photos I love forever that I've taken aren't necessarily good images, but photos that are really meaningful to me. I've attached my favorite photo: it's my 4 sisters in my backyard. It was one of the first rolls of film I've ever taken and it just feels really special to me, they're my favorite people and best friends (tacky, I know). And they are just so tiny and cute. It's from 8 years ago. 

Be sure to check out more of Emma's work on her personal website, and support your favorite artists, no matter where they are at in their career. 

Revisiting "Elaborating on the Canon AE-1"

Earlier this month, I discussed how the Canon AE-1's Wikipedia page lacks much discourse on its legacy and popularity. In my July 2nd post "Elaborating on the Canon AE-1," I explained how I added information regarding how the Canon AE-1 is one of the most accessible film cameras for amateur photographers, and how this camera has allowed many to experiment with the art on a relatively low budget.

Unfortunately, when checking in on the Wikipedia edits, it appears that my comments were not approved, or were deleted by another user. Perhaps this is due to the lack of numerical data to back up my thoughts.

A Bit of Personal Work

After being asked to share some of my personal work, I decided to collect six photographs that were all taken within the same two months of each other. These two months marked travels between Kansas City, New York, London, and Paris, yet I return to the same photographic style throughout. I believe in capturing similar moments between these very different places we are able to uncover the human truth that we are more similar than we are different. 

All of the photographs below were captured on a Canon AE-1 with Ilford HP-5 film at 400 ISO. They were then developed in the dark room, and what you are looking at here are scans of prints, indicated by their slightly different coloring variations. 

468. New York, New York, April 2019

Don's Liquor. Kansas City, Missouri, April 2019

Salvation Army. Roeland Park, Kansas, April 2019

B&W Deli. New York, New York, March 2019

Will Call. Kansas City, Missouri, April 2019

Luxembourg Garden Theatre. Paris, France, March 2019

When taking photographs, I try to abide by Henry Wessel's process as I have talked about in a previous post: don't think before taking the photograph. In doing this, I believe I am able to capture pure moments in time, even if there is not any movement involved. In every shot,  I am capturing a different time of day, a different place, a different scenario where we interact differently depending on what our environment is. I believe it is important to let these places, despite their mundane nature, shine in their own ways. 

Elaborating on the Canon AE-1

The Canon AE-1 camera has become one of the most used film cameras of modern times, despite the fact that it is no longer in production by Canon. Thus, it only makes sense that this popularity should be documented on the camera's Wikipedia page. At the moment, the only explanation of the legacy of the camera is:

Apple sound designer Jim Reekes recorded the screen snapshot sound used on Macintosh computers and iPhones from the AE-1 he used as a high school student.^[3]

Despite the fun fact about the camera, it is important to document the rise in popularity of the camera and how it works for photographers in the 21st Century. So, I edited the Wikipedia to explain how the ease and functionality of the camera has allowed an entirely new generation of photographers to experiment with the camera at a relatively low price point.

Apple sound designer Jim Reekes recorded the screen snapshot sound used on Macintosh computers and iPhones from the AE-1 he used as a high school student.^[3]

Although you cannot purchase a new Canon AE-1, the camera has experienced a surge in popularity in recent times. This is largely to do with the notion that “vintage” has become more mainstream with an attached cool factor in younger crowds. In turn, the cameras are readily available on consignment websites such as eBay and Craigslist for between $100 and $200, on average, and are one of the most simple film cameras to learn how to use.

The Canon AE-1 allows new film-curious photographers an opportunity to test out film without committing large sums of money towards it, where you might find with other brands that continue to produce film cameras. A black and white roll of film with 36 exposures costs between $5 and $6, allowing modern day photographers the opportunity to learn how to craft an image free from most digital interference.

While digital cameras can be remarkably easier, and (at times) cheaper to use, it is important to document the significance the Canon AE-1 has in so many photographers' lives.