David is a photographer from Silver Spring Maryland, his talent is multi-faceted, and his work speaks for its self. I have found very few photographers who could match his talent and passion for the art. I asked him a few questions about his view on artistic vision. I hope you enjoy reading his response.

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Where does Vision come from?

Not an easy question to answer. Not for me anyway. All I can do is relate my experience, limited as it may be.

If we think of vision as an equation I believe it is composed of process and perspective. Perspective plus process equals your vision or style. While some may nit pick that vision and style are two different things I think they are so closely connected that for the purposes of this post I’ll consider them the same.

Perspective comes from the sum of your experiences. It comes from the combination of ideas, the swirling melange of images and feelings bouncing and colliding inside your imagination. The stream you sat beside as a child, the painting in the gallery you saw while living in Europe as an exchange student, the feeling of sun hitting your face one early morning as you hiked a mountain with your lover. Whatever your experiences, they help form your perspective.

The more I try to understand my own perspective, the more I understand about myself. I realize I am a hopeless romantic who looks for the best in things. I am always looking for a way to appreciate the subject for who they are and who they could be.

Process is about the tools, materials and processes you use to make your ideas come to reality. They play just as significant a role in defining your style. I choose to shoot with certain equipment, I choose certain lighting situations, I choose to shoot RAW and I have a pretty specific way that I post process my images. I relate to my subjects in a specific way and I tend to prefer certain types of locations.

In my process I tend to prefer prime lenses (when possible), I love bokeh so I often use my 105mm or the 70-200mm. I’d rather backup and shoot a full length from far with a telephoto than get close with a wide-angle. I love the variables of natural light but still look for the light that will emphasize my subject in a soft way. I like confident models who have depth behind their eyes. I like melancholy expressions and poses. I prefer to preserve as much data as possible in an image but if it comes to it I’ll happily blow out the entire background if I can get the exposure perfect on the eyes.

That’s a bit about my process and perspective. Those are parts of what forms my vision.

Do have preconceived notions about what your pictures will look like?

Let me say that I know what to expect. I balance my “plan” with a journalist approach of looking for moments and angles that may not be obvious.

At what point during the session are you satisfied with what you have?

That depends a lot on what or who I am shooting for. If I am shooting a portrait I looking for the calm, comfortable expression that portrays the image the client needs. With an editorial I am looking for solid images in a variety of poses, locations and perspectives.

How much free reign do you allow the subject?

It depends on the subject. If I am taking a portrait of an inexperienced subject I will make my instructions quite simple and clear. Stand here, turn this way, smile…if I am working with an experienced model on the other hand I want them to do their thing. Show me what you’ve got. No matter the subject I want them to be themselves.

Do you create the image or does it create you?

I honestly think it’s a bit of both. I take photos like an explorer, seeking and looking and looking harder. On the other hand, my images tend to look like my images so apparently my style or aesthetic imposes itself on my imagery. It is a growth process as well, I am not the same photographer I was a few years ago and I don’t intend to be the same several years from now. Its a journey.