Member Moment: Jess Boyle

JB: In high school I took a B+W film photography class for fun, and was lucky to get some darkroom experience! Then after a 10 year gap (college, life, other artsy hobbies..), I bought my current camera secondhand on a whim, since I’ve always loved tapping into creative outlets and finding different modes of expression. Photography specifically intrigued me as a way to archive & make tangible the moments I experience - and also as a way to be fully present with the world around me. The pursuit of capturing the moment exactly as I feel it is maybe an impossible task, but the photo taking process is still incredibly fun, and I will always drop anything I’m doing to review the scans when I get the email that they’re ready!

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?

 

JB: AWE! Moments that take my breath away & feel larger than life itself - often this is in the great big outdoors, but developing this creative outlet has also made me find and appreciate these big feelings of wonder in tiny details in my own city neighborhood, in hidden corners of every day life. It’s like a practice of noticing and presence with my surroundings, and that spurs the inspiration. I like natural framings, interesting angles and textures, and when the subject seems to have an energy or life of it’s own.

PL: Of the pictures you submitted, can you share an interesting story about one? 

 

JB: The double exposure photos happened completely by accident while in Chilean Patagonia in December - but I am so intrigued and surprised by the results, especially with how the double exposure somehow does a better job of capturing the surreal beauty of this trip than my regularly shot film!

PL: What do you enjoy most about digital/film photography and what is challenging about it? 

 

JB: I like my film photos as a kind of visual journal for what I was drawn to capture on a trip, walk, or specific point in time. Even if not actively taking a photo, having my camera on me is a signal to slow down and notice. That said, one of my challenges is learning when to be patient vs. speedy with the SHUTTER CLICK. Often I have the extra seconds to frame up the photo, but I can get impulsive and end up either not getting the photo I wanted or needing to take a few photos instead of just one.

PL: Do you have any goals or ideas of how you want to grow this collection of photographs?

 

JB: I’d like to photograph human subjects more! It seems like a challenging endeavor to try and capture our range of emotion, movement, character, energy, etc in one still frame. I also want to experiment more with double exposure and get some more darkroom experience! Generally, just PRACTICE and chase inspiration and learn!

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