This week’s Member Moment features work by Film Club Victoria Wilcox, whose captures vibrant portraitures — in both color and emotion. Scroll down to see her pictures and to read the interview!
PL: What got you interested in photography?
VW: Interestingly enough, growing up I found that I had very few baby photos of myself. Many people have baby books or photo albums of their childhood, and I only could find a few photos of myself. This fostered sentimental value of mine to capture moments in time; to be a documentarian.
PL: What type of camera do you shoot with?
VW: I shoot with a Sony A7iii. It's the camera I learned in my internship, and during one winter break I pulled enough money to buy one from a pawn shop for a once in a lifetime deal.
PL: When taking pictures, what are some objects or elements or feelings within a scene that inspire you to take a photo?
VW: Being in the moment means so much to me. When I'm capturing events, the minute someone turns to the camera and gives a pose, I kinda want to put the camera down. I obviously still take the photo of them (haha), but I find that it's the moment where the attendees are immersed in the music or talking to their friends, I capture the true essence of them.
I also LOVE color. We are people; we are humans. We aren't just flesh and bone. I feel as though color embodies the essence of our liveliness, so I am not scared of some saturation.
PL: Of the pictures you submitted, can you share an interesting story about one?
VW: This (photo below) is one of my favorite photos from the Philly Jazz Scene. Jazz musicians love low light, almost to the point of darkness. I shot this wondering if I would be able to save any details in Lightroom. However, when I shot this I was focused on the moment, and I believe that is what made this picture so beautiful. Shout out to Nazir Ebo on the drums!!!
PL: What do you enjoy most about film photography and what is challenging about it?
VW: This is commonly said, but film forces you to be documentarian, and in my opinion to be a documentarian is to be a true artisan of photography. Digital is accessible. Many may say that's why it's bad and doesn't make you a true photographer if you can't work on film. But that is simply the words of a gatekeeper. Digital is the reason we have some of the greatest photographers to this day.
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