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Spraygraphic Interview with Photographer Adam Amengual
By Spraygraphic | July 25, 2008
Spraygraphic Interview with Adam Amengual
SG: Please tell us about yourself?
AA: My name is Adam Amengual. I was born in Queens, NY but was raised on the North Shore of Massachusettes. I got my BFA from Massachusetts College of Art and have been assisting/shooting in NYC for the last five years. If I had to classify my work, I would have to say that I am portrait photographer, but I have been shooting some landscapes lately.
SG: Where do you currently live and work?
AA: I currently live in NYC but I am spending my free time up in MA/NH working on a personal project.
SG: What mediums do you work with?
AA: I shoot mostly digital now. All my editorial work is digital, but the personal project is being shot with color film and it will be scanned and output digitally.
SG: What kind of equipment do you use?
AA: I shoot with a Canon 5D and a Hasselblad . All fixed lenses, they are sharper and faster. I’m really against zoom lenses. Some flash equipment when necessary.
SG: Describe your working process when creating a new work.
AA: I sometimes journal a bit about the project or assignment, try to plan ahead a bit. But to be honest, you never know exactly how things are going to go down. I’ve got a pretty set way of shooting now that I just adjust to fit the situation. Working with an editorial assignment, you just got to make the best picture you can. When taking personal pictures I see something and snap it, there’s a lot less pressure.
SG: What kind of things do you do when you get blocked or find it hard to create something?
AA: I journal. Writing down what is going on in your head or the lack of what is going on in your head is a huge help to get the ideas flowing.
SG: Where are you currently finding your inspiration?
AA: I find most of my inspiration from just everyday life. Keeping my eyes open for light and places that could be used again in the future. I love movies and magazines, but I’m not that impressed with most of what I see. I really like looking at fine art photography, that’s usually where I’m blown away.
SG: What do you look for when you are picking models to work with? Is it a physical feature? Personality? Photogenic? etc…
AA: Its all that stuff, I have friends that I really like to photograph but a lot of the time I’m given an assignment so I don’t have a choice. I just have to roll with it and bring something out of the person.
SG: Do you bring your camera with you everywhere with you or do you leave it home when you go out on the town?
AA: I generally carry it all the time but that is fairly new. Only within the last two years, after attending the Eddie Adams Workshop , did I make a promise to myself that I would carry a camera all the time. I really enjoy photographing friends of mine so I never know when I could see a photograph in front of me. At the same time though, I’m not constantly shooting, I’ve lugged that extra weight a lot for the sake of just having it there.
SG: Where has your work been seen?
AA: My pictures have been seen in New York Magazine , Juxtapoz Magazine and Swindle Magazine . Also my webpage and my blog .
SG: Where will it be seen next?
AA: I’ve got a bunch of pictures in an upcoming issue of Juxtapoz. I believe it should be out in Sept.
SG: What is your dream art assignment?
AA: I’d love to get someone to pay for me to take an RV across the US, taking portraits, landscapes, whatever. My own Robert Frank’s The Americans.
SG: What is your favorite color?
AA: Blue
SG: Who is your favorite artist? And Why?
AA: That’s always a tough one for me. It’s changed so many times over the years. I would have to say photographer Lisa Kereszi . I think her images are great, but that’s not the main reason. I love the fact that she’s a triple threat. She shoots commercial assignments, shows work in galleries, and is a professor of photography at Yale . It’s a place where I’d love to see myself someday.
SG: What book/magazine are you reading this week?
AA: I’m currently reading Hurricane by James S. Hirsch . I’m not reading any mags right now, but I am hooked on a several blogs. My favorite being http://blog.photoshelter.com/
SG: Ever do a self portrait? Where is it now?
AA: Yeah, I’ve shot several over the years. Most recently, was about a two years ago for an advertising for my good friend Zach’s clothing company Tank Theory .
SG: Where is your favorite place to hang out?
AA: For chill time, the beach in the Fall or Spring when no one is there but my wife, my dog, and me. I have to give “The Cabin” a shout out. I’ve also had many good times out and about in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
SG: Any final words of advice?
AA: There is no one path. Good friend and mentor of mine Clay Patrick McBride once told me, “its about the journey not the race.” I can’t agree enough, but this is not an excuse to be lazy, you have to constantly be creating and thinking about your art. I’m not going to act like I don’t get lazy, I have my slow times too. You will see many people get ahead early in their careers, some will take decades to get recognition, its different for everyone. Just keep creating is the most important thing. I try to snap my camera everyday and I can tell you that 95% of those pictures no one will ever see and some are horrible, but I still learn something every time. Which brings me to something we’ve all heard before, but I think is 100% true is that you learn more from mistakes and criticism of your work than you do for your best pieces and people telling you how awesome you are. Although a bit of recognition is always a nice boost of energy. Thanks SPRAYGRAPHIC!
Images: 1. Self-Portrait, 2. Virgins, 3. Marty Mar, 4. Jordon, 5. Gabe, 6. Antonio, 7. Gabe
Topics: Artist Interviews, Photography |
