by Laure

Interview with Photographer Cary Fagan

There’s something in the water in Texas. There is such an influx of creativity in the photography genre. Cary Fagan, a TX based film photographer creates such a dreamy aura within his work. I asked him a few questions about the aesthetic of his work and what’s happening in the future…

INTRODUCE YOURSELF, AND WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE NUMBER AND WHY?

 Hi my name is Cary Fagan, and my favorite number is 8 because it’s an even number, it plays a special role in mathematics, and I was born on the 8^th of July and the number 8 was on every soccer jersey I ever played in.

WHEN DID YOU BEGIN SHOOTING?

 I began shooting 4 years ago after I realized that with photography I can create and tell stories without actually having to speak to people; recluse.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST THING/SUBJECT THAT YOU BEGAN TAKING PHOTOS OF?

 Photography for me all began as a punishment. Due to the consequences of my behavior in middle school I was responsible for waking up early, and heading to this park everyday for a week, with my father to take photographs. I had no idea what I was getting into, neither did I like the idea of it. The very first photo I took that started my passion was of an alligator, then trees, and then flowers. Nature is a huge influence on the photos I take.

WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE INSPIRATIONS?

 Tamara Litchestein

Megan Tipps

Bryant Eslava
Matthew Tammaro

Dennis Auburn

 These are the people I look up for inspiration; I know each of these talented photographers have had their fair share on shooting film. I have moments where I day dream about meeting them, then they give me a “101” on film photography because they believe in me and we just hang out with jazz music playing in the background.

WHAT ARE THE TOP 5 BANDS THAT YOU ARE LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

Thundercat

Toro Y Moi

Mac DeMarco

Summer Camp

King Krule

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE SHOOT TO DATE?

  I can’t categorize a favorite shoot just because with each shoot I’ve done I couldn’t fathom the excitement working with the people and environment. The chemistry was there.

WHY DO YOU SHOOT FILM?

 This is a question I am often asked by photographers and non-photographers alike. And the question is quite easy to answer, in theory.

I shoot film because I can. It really is that simple. It’s a lifestyle choice, just like being a vegetarian or a smoker. I have had the opportunity to shoot the very finest digital has to offer, and I still use digital cameras to take pictures of simple things. For my work I like to take time over my pictures. I like to take time shooting and take time working out what images I like afterwards. I don’t like to fiddle around with white balance, or file formats or focus peaking (whatever that is). From a commercial perspective there is nothing like digital, and the market demands it. But I don’t work as a commercial photographer. Hell, I don’t even work as an anything photographer any longer. This means I don’t have the pressure to supply images or anything like that. I am able to shoot what I want when I want.

One of the big things about film for me is the very fact that it is “outdates”. We are living in a society that documents every move we make. That covets our information on a scale not ever seen before, and we willingly give it. We go onto facebook and tell people what we are eating, and take a picture. I am not immune to this, I have done it too. But I don’t want my photography to become that. I don’t want my life to be consumed by that. I rely on the internet. I use facebook for my business, but I find the whole facebook culture to be rather unpleasant. I sometimes dream of having a little shop, which only has a phone (an old rotary dial type), a cat and a kettle and stepping out of the rat race. But that is unrealistic, I have to eat too. For me film is also that little bit of escape from this frenetic hyper life that we are all becoming addicted to. I don’t think film is for everyone. Someone called me a “Film Evangelist” the other day, but I don’t think that is correct. That would imply that I coerce and push people to like or follow something, with unwavering belief. I feel that I am far more of a “film champion”. I champion film and I talk about it, sell it, and share it. But I don’t force others to like it, that is their decision.

I am not going to sit here and tell you film is better. It’s up to you to work out what is better for you. But I am not going to tell you what your medium is. I think Its’ daft to attack a medium that someone else uses just because you don’t use it. We are not children. Take pictures of whatever you want, as long as it is what suits you. But don’t tell other people what they should be shooting with, that is not up to you, unless you are a hipster taking an instagram of your lunch, then we should all be allowed to slap some sense into you. I guess what I am trying to say is, shoot whatever you like. Just make sure you shoot.

What about you? Why do you shoot film, and if you don’t, why not?

Lauren: I shoot film simply because that’s how I started and it brings me back to the roots of photography as a whole. I seem to take my time more with film instead of wildly shoot as with digital. Digital seems to “plastic” for lack of a better word. I feel like it’s easier to manipulate the image a bit more with film from the camera to the processing as opposed to Photoshop that anyone can learn to do. 

WHAT WOULD YOUR IDEAL SHOOT BE?

A girl with freckles, wearing pastel colored dresses, surrounded by redwood trees, creating shadows from the sun, and jazz music playing in the background

A group of women in sheer dresses, we’re at the white sands desert in New Mexico.

While the sun is falling for the golden hour, and everyone is having fun.

Both things I’ve created in my head for a while now, just waiting for the right moment to capture those moments.

WHAT’S THE FUTURE HOLD FOR YOU?

 Well.. my goal this year is to publish my own photo book and sell copies worldwide. I also want the privilege to talk to people about my come up as an artist. That moment, I would cherish the most. 

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