Paris to Pixels

(c) kamau ware 2009

DoF recently had a chance to sit down with photographer Greg Scaffidi. He has some of his recent work published in Soma Magazine. The interview was conducted by Moon Kim.


DoF: At what moment did you realize you had to be a photographer?

 

GS: I was in the dark room and was watching a print that I had captured in my trip to Mexico develop. As I watched the print become a portrait of the Mexican boy, I knew in that moment that photography was going to be my career.


DoF: What was your first camera?

GS: 110 Instantmatic.


DoF: What adjacent art form inspires you and helps you be a better photographer?

GS: Film, which is basically moving photos and at times a stronger medium. I get inspired by documentaries – particularly war documentaries since they expose the raw mentality of the most fucked up situations and bring you to the most basic level of emotions. Another favorite is Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse, a documentary about the making of the film Apocalypse Now and narrated by Eleanor Coppola.


DoF: What are your thoughts about digital photography?

GS: For the longest time, I fought against going digital and proudly held onto film. But technology and cost finally led me to make the transition. These days, you can almost get the same feel and tone with digital as you would with film. I’m still much more confident with film but I can take more photos with digital, which helps relax the subject. Digital photography has helped me to remain on my toes. With technology always evolving, I am constantly learning.


DoF: With camera phones being so widely available, photography has become much more democratized. How do you feel about that?

GS: I think it’s a wonderful thing and don’t feel at all threatened. As I like to say, it’s not the camera… it’s the photographer. A camera is just one piece of the pie.


DoF: Who are some pivotal photographers that inspired you to learn more about the art form?

GS: Roy de Carva is one. He was a master of black and white photos. There are so many sharp details in his blacks. Bruce Davidson is another one. His use of light and shadow is just amazing. Danny Lyon  and Michel Compte.

DoF: Besides these talented artists and photographers, do you have any other moments that schooled you in photography?

Living and working in Paris. I was studying abroad in Paris one semester in college. Almost immediately, I realized I had to stay here and dropped out of school. My real education in photography started when I dropped out. In fact, my professor encouraged me and told me, “Beg, borrow or steal but stay in Paris.” I was in Paris for two years and worked for a number of fashion magazines like W Europe.

Moving to New York was another event that really helped me break out into photography. I came to New York May 1999 after selling everything I owned in Los Angeles. New York still entices me to shoot, especially the Lower Ease Side neighborhood and the tenement building 91 Orchard Street where I live. There I am constantly surrounded by diversity and immigrant experiences.

And traveling continues to help me grow as a photographer. First sighting in a new place is sensory overload for me. Whenever I’m in a new place or a new country, it’s like I have a new pair of eyes. There’s a good photograph everywhere – you just have to find it.

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