Interview with Shelbie Dimond

Interview with Shelbie Dimond

Shelbie Dimond is a film photographer currently based-in San Francisco, California. She is an advocate of film. And below is the interview of Shooting Film with Shelbie Dimond about her film photography.

I'm 20 years old. I live in a cabin in the woods with my husband. We have two cats and two bunnies, I love mafia movies, sushi, instant film, polly pockets and roller skating. I begin roller derby training in a week!

How did you get started and interested in film photography?
My father gave me his old Canon AE-1, which he used for astro photography. When I was little, he'd take long exposures of me with comets, the northern lights and meteor showers. I started taking self portraits out of boredom during the winter months, and it just grew from there.

Do you remember what was your first film camera, and what cameras do you use now?
The AE-1 was my first, along with a polaroid camera. I still use the AE-1, land cameras, SX-70 and as of yesterday, Instax Mini 8.

Do you work as an amateur or professional photographer, and have you completed training or have you learned by yourself?
I work professionally, and I spent about a year and a half in college studying photography. I am mostly self taught, but I am going back to school next year to study more. I'd like to practice studio work and get back in the dark room.

Talk to us about your background in photography? And what gives you inspiration?
It all started with me posing really still with crazy things going on in the sky, my dad taking those long exposures. I don't do self portraits much these days, not sure why I stopped. I'm inspired by almost anything- at the right time and place and light. I like to create surreal worlds with my photography, as well as documentation of my life.

Last question, what place does photography have in your everyday life?
I'd say photography holds a very dear place in my everyday life- most of my friends are people that I've met through photography. I use photography to remember places, people, and emotions. Photography is my main creative outlet and how I express myself.