It will be a regular feature from now on.
Today's artist is Melinda Moore, a fine art photographer from South Florida.
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself?
I was born in New Jersey but came to Florida when I was one yrs old and
stayed until 18yr.
After receiving a BS in Nursing from Fl State I lived in New England working
as a ICCU Nurse.
In 1985 I moved to Spain where I lived for 17yrs, having a property
management company on the Costal Del Sol. I feel blessed that I was able to
travel to so many places while I lived in Europe.
In 2001 I returned to Fl and re-united with my high school sweetie Bill and
we were married in 2003.
I have one daughter Danielle who is 30yrs, she was married this year and is
living abroad. I feel I am here in Florida in a very relaxed and content
situation which allows me to focus on my passion Photography. Now I am
being given the gifts of "health, freedom and time" to develop my Art.
2. Where is home?
Where the Heart is, but presently living in Palm Bch Gardens.
3. Do you have a favorite place in this huge world of ours?
When I am in the water swimming and
riding a horse in Andalucia Spain smelling all the aromatic herbs in the
Campo.
4. Did you go to school to study photography?
No only workshops.I wanted to do a degree when I was in my 20's but life
had other plans.
5. How long have you been a photographer?
Since I was 18.
6. How would you describe your photography style?
Intuitive, varied and hopefully artistically interesting. I enjoy blending
photos and frequently use textures to create a painterly style. I treat each
image as it speaks to me, if it asks to be left alone as it came out of the
camera then it comes to you unadorned, if it says dress me up in textures,
then I get out photo shop and get to work. I also dream up works of art
using different images in montage style.
7. Is there a place on the web where folks can see your work & purchase
prints?
http://www.photoartbymelinda.com/
At present I do not offer work directly via the online site because I want
to inspect the prints before delivery. Each image looks best on certain
paper so I also like to control how it is printed. You can email me and we
can discuss any image you see on my website and I will happily ship you a
print. I am printing with M&M Studios with archival ink and papers and also
sell via their gallery so you can also contact them directly to inquire.
Other places you can currently see my work exhibited:
2010 Fla Atlantic Pine Jog Environmental Exhibit, Lake Worth , Fl (current
till May 8th)
2010 Art in Public Spaces, Juried exhibition,(mixed media) Liquid Assets,
Pam Beach International Airport, WPB. Fl. (current till March 25th )
2010 Art in Public Spaces, Juried Exhibition,(mixed media) Boynton Beach Fl,
Library (current till April 9th )
2010 Art in Public Places, Juried Exhibition,(mixed media)
GardensArtProgram,City Hall. Palm Beach Gardens Fl (current till April 8th)
2010, Old Florida , Juried Exhibition, Southeast Gallery of Photographic
Art, Vero Beach, Fl (current-ending today)
8. Do you have a blog?
http://photoartbymelinda.blogspot.com/
9. What type of cameras do you shoot with?
Digital
Canon Rebel SXI
Point and shoot Canon Powershot for out the car window and street when the
big one is intrusive.
10. How important is Photoshop in your final images?
Very!
I use photoshop like the darkroom to do everything from dodge and burn,
sharpen,
Correct exposure or white balance, but often step it up a notch by using
layers, blending modes and
This is the main tool I use to create my special effects.
11. Are you a MAC or PC lover?
PC because my husband is a programmer but would love a MAC.
12. How do you feel about cropping an image?
It can make a good shot into a great shot, done poorly it can ruin it. I try
to get close to what I want when I am looking through the lens. Then again
when I start doing montage to create an original visual piece I crop, chop
and dice.
13. What inspires your images?
I'd have to say my imagination. I can look at a bird or a squash and start
dreaming about how I can create an exciting image. Then the most important
ingredient is light to add life and drama. When the light is right I am
hopping crazy to shoot pictures. This can happen when I am driving down the
road or in a dark house with the right window light. I often shoot light
separately and blend it into my images.
The other is subject. Seeing an interesting person, place or thing can be
inspirational. Catching that decisive moment of light and subject is the
most important quest.
I think the basis of my composition is inspired by all the Fine Art I saw
during my lifetime when I visited many museums and galleries.
I also find other peoples art and photography so inspirational.
I have spent hours and years looking at photographs. I love to look at
photographs of all styles.
There are many new and emerging artist who inspire me every day on Flickr.
14. Do you have a favorite photographer?
I have many loves.
This week it is a street photographer named Elliott Erwitt. He is brilliant
and his exhibit is currently at the Palm Beach Photographic Center . I have
also been studying Henri Cartier Bresson. Both are genius at capturing
decisive moments of light and subject.
Thank you for sharing with us Melinda!
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