This week’s Member Moment features work by Alan Pelz-Sharpe, whose photography centers on a growing body of images taken in Atlantic City. Scroll down to see his pictures and to read the interview!
PL: What got you interested in photography?
APS: When I was little (around 8 or 9) I went on a school trip to the zoo, my elder brother lent me his camera for the day. When the film was processed my family were really annoyed as I had no pictures of my classmates or animals in the zoo, instead I had pictures of treetops and clouds at various angles (likely out of focus). Then at the age of 12 I won first prize in a local landscape competition and that was me set for life. Worth noting there were only three entries and mine was the only one that was technically a landscape photograph.
PL: What type of camera do you shoot with?
PL: When taking pictures, what are some objects or elements or feelings within a scene that inspire you to take a photo?
APS: Might sound, and probably is a bit weird, but I have long been influenced by the concept of psychogeography - in other words how your environment influences the way you feel. So I simply walk (most recently around Atlantic City) and when I feel something different I will hang around there till a picture emerges.
PL: Of the pictures you submitted, can you share an interesting story about one?
APS: I was walking up and down the AC Boardwalk one day and found a position on one of the beach walkaways, I knew it was a good angle and that on the boardwalk if you wait long enough something is going to happen. However I didn't wait long at all, moments later this guy just stood their and started marching in place. Its my favorite image from the series, as it was planned/unplanned and to me at least, I think captures the 'edginess' of the boardwalk experience.
PL: What do you enjoy most about digital/film photography and what is challenging about it?
PL: Do you have any goals or ideas of how you want to grow this collection of photographs?
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