My, how time flies! I can’t believe it’s been almost 2 months since my last blog post! I’ve been working on this next post for about that long, but work, school, and a trip half way around the world (this trip was for work, but I did take some film photos that I’ll share in a future post) has kept me pretty busy. Still, I had really hoped to get this next post out long before now.
If you remember, I had started a new project where I interview photographers I know. I ask them to answer 30 questions about themselves and their photography, and I ask them to share some of their work. I’ve really enjoyed the first couple of interviews and I’m hoping you find their answers and their photography as interesting as I do.
The next photographer I want to introduce you to is Matt Melcher.
I’ve never met Matt in person, but I’ve been working with him on the Frugal Film Project for all of 2019. Matt, along with the other members of the project, participates almost daily in a group Facebook chat with me and other members of the group. Over the past year, we’ve all become great online friends. Like the others, he’s a wealth of photographic knowledge that I feel privileged to know.
Q: What is your name and where do you live?
A: Matt Melcher, Central Iowa
Q: How can people contact you?
A: On Instagram, I’m @box_of_cameras and @mattmelcher – one for the podcast and another is personal. Also, mattmelcher on Flickr, @boxofcameras on twitter, and I’m on facebook too.
Q: If we’ve met, how do we know each other?
A: We are both part of The Frugal Film Project.
Q: What is your earliest memory of taking a photograph?
A: I’m not sure this counts, but when we were kids my dad would give us his old cameras to use as toys. I have very distinct memories of playing with a Kodak Brownie Hawkeye Flash, a Kodak X15 Instamatic, and an old Kodak 8mm movie camera that you had to wind to make it work. Dad was a Kodak man. Of course, he didn’t put any film in them.
Q: Of the cameras you currently own, what is your favorite (you may choose one of each format if applicable?
A: I don’t really look at things that way, but I certainly enjoy my Minolta SRT202, and X700’s. I like shooting my Yashicamat 124G and Holga’s equally. I am currently enamored with my ONDU pinholes too. But I’ve got loads of cameras I really enjoy when I pick them up and use them.
Q: Is there a camera you’ve always lusted after and hope to acquire someday? What makes you desire this camera?
A: Again, I don’t really look at it that way – I don’t lust after any camera (btw – my mom always says ‘you can’t love a thing’). That being said, I would like to shoot any fancy camera that is generally sought after, just to see what the fuss is all about (your Leica’s and Hasselblad’s come to mind). I recently saw a young lady shooting a Graflex and that intrigued me. But I’m not on a mission to find a certain camera.
Q: Is there a camera you no longer have that you miss?
A: Not really. The ones I’ve sold I did so because I didn’t like shooting them. I DO wish my Minolta XD11 worked right. I should send it off to get repaired.
Q: What type of photographs do you most enjoy taking (portraits, landscapes, street, etc) and why?
A: I shoot mostly photographs of objects and landscapes – things around me. Oh, and my dog. Lots of photos of my dog. And the tree in the park behind my house. I also love to take photos of buildings, plants, sculptures and artwork. Basically, the things I look at everyday that interest me enough to press the shutter release button. Why? – I wish I knew. I have shot some portraits, but I find I don’t really enjoy photographing people. It’s very much out of my comfort zone. Same with street. I’ll do it on occasion, but I’d rather have a conversation with someone than shoot a photograph of them.
Q: While most of us shoot both digital and film, I believe we all have a tendency to prefer one over the other. What do you prefer and why?
A: I’m a film guy that doesn’t own a digital camera (other than my phone). That being said, I have nothing against digital at all and have almost purchased a digital camera on many occasions. I do love shooting on my phone and using apps to alter the photos. That’s fun. As for why I shoot film? It’s the process and expectation that I enjoy. I love shooting and not knowing what the final image is until I develop it. I may have an idea in mind, but I don’t know if it worked until later. I don’t need to see the image immediately, nor do I want to shoot dozens of similar images to get ‘the right one’. And I absolutely love developing film – seeing it when you open the tank – I get a charge every time.
Q: How often/much do you shoot photographs (rolls per week, month, etc)?
A: I take a photograph on film every single day – usually several (not counting phone shots). Last year I shot an average of two rolls a week. This year I’m on the same pace as I passed 50 rolls on the Fourth of July.
Q: Do you prefer to photograph with other people, or would you rather shoot alone? Please explain.
A: The vast majority of time I spend shooting I am by myself. Usually because I want to take as much or as little time on something as I want. I do like it when I cross paths with other photographers and we can chat and maybe shoot together for a bit, but I prefer to shoot alone.
Q: What is your favorite black and white film right now and why?
A: I keep circling back to HP5+. It can get grainy and blocky, and that’s what I like about film. Special shout out to Tri-X. I’m also currently enamored with Kodak 2238 and Fuji 4791 separation films. They’re a little fussier, but I’ve been shooting a ton of it this summer with great results.
Q: What is your favorite color film right now and why?
A: I love expired color film. I’m currently shooting my very large supply of Kodak Vision 2 500T film. I’ve also shot a ton of Fuji color film this year. I prefer the expired Kodak for the muted color palate.
Q: Complete the following sentence: “I am a photographer because…”. What do YOU get from photography?
A: I’ve avoided calling myself a photographer for years. It just doesn’t seem to fit. I’ve always referred to myself as a Film Photography Enthusiast…but yeah…I’m a photographer. What do I get out of it? Let me put it this way, it’s like there’s a giant visual puzzle where you where you are challenged to use a mechanical device to create a visual answer to the puzzle. No words or explanation can be involved – only an image. Sort of like a visual algebra challenge where you have to solve for x, but there are an infinite number of possible correct answers, only you can determine if the answer is correct, and your correct answer may be incorrect by any one else’s standards. You create the visual answer to the puzzle. And I like the noise the shutter makes when I press the button. And film advance – that sounds cool too.
Q: Best experience while taking photographs?
A: I always get a grin when someone acknowledges my film camera. That’s fun. Best experience was probably shooting the redwoods in California and getting lost in the woods with my wife. I just kept snapping photos because the light was perfect. We laughed because we knew we would hit civilization eventually. We actually found a familiar looking tree and wandered out right next to the truck. Also, shooting the Golden Gate Bridge. All these folks with nice digital rigs and tripods and staking out spots, shooting dozens of photos, chimping, and acting like real photographers. I walked into the middle of them with my Yashicamat 124G, snapped a photo, wound my film and kept of walking. It was like someone set off a firecracker. They all stopped and stared, and I just took another photo. They turned out great btw.
Q: Most emotional experience while taking photographs?
A: I think it was shooting the Great Eclipse in 2017. Being kind of a science and space geek, I was really excited about it. The path of totality was about 200 miles away and my wife and I got up early and drove to Missouri to see it. Unfortunately, it was rainy and cloudy the entire drive and we couldn’t see any blue sky, let alone the sun. We spied a break in the clouds and drove in that direction until right before it started. I literally backed into a corn field, set up my tripod and cameras, and got ready to shoot. Suddenly the clouds parted and we had clear blue sky for the duration. I was totally geeking out at the whole thing – 10-year-old Matt came out and was almost overwhelmed by the experience. Plus, I got a great ‘Diamond Ring’ photo out of the deal!
Q: Worst experience while taking photographs.
A: Taking my nephew’s High School Senior portraits and my off-camera flash stopped working. These had to be perfect, and I was blowing it. Fortunately, I found some muted shade and an interesting tree and got a few good shots.
Q: Tell me about something related to photography you want to learn.
A: I think I’d like to learn darkroom printing. I’m not really set up for it, but I’d like to give it a go someday. That and maybe some large format work.
Q: Tell me about something NOT related to photography you want to learn.
A: I’m a homebrewer and I’d like to learn to make better beer. I’m pretty good, but I keep coming up short in the competitions I enter.
Q: What does your family/loved ones think/feel about your photography?
A: My wife tolerates it – in a good and encouraging way. She likes taking photos on her phone, but has no real interest in cameras.
Q: What is the last photography related book you’ve acquired?
A: I don’t purchase many photography books, but one that came with a camera I bought is titled The Nature Photographer’s Complete Guide to Professional Field Techniques. Whoever owned it had read it front to back, highlighted passages, made notes in the margins, and dog-eared dozens of pages. I hope they got some good results after reading that book.
Q: Name one of your favorite accounts on Instagram and explain what draws you to this photographer.
A: Eric Swanger @conspiracy.of.cartographers because he shows that using film and old cameras generally produces the most intriguing photographs. I also really like Amy Blessing @iowamy – she’s really been posting some fantastic stuff. Shout out to @deniseg316 too – great photos from her as well.
Q: Have you ever sold or have thought about selling any of your photographs? Would you do it again? Any advice for others thinking of selling their photographs?
A: Never sold any, but I would if I got the chance. But I’ve never really looked into it. Maybe someday.
Q: Are there any photography related projects you’re working on that you’d like to tell us about?
A: My photography projects usually start as one thing and then become something completely different. I’ll eventually do something with the ‘My Tree’ photographs. I’ve got this loose concept involving public sculptures. Also working on a rural decay thing that involves structures and places inhabited by my ancestors.
Q: Are there any non-photographic related projects you’re working on that you’d like to tell us about?
A: Sometimes life is your project. Right now, most of my free time is revolving around caring for my mother as she ages and battles dementia. It’s hard and can be consuming of all your time and energy. We are planning a remodel of a couple of rooms in our basement but I don’t see that happening for a few months.
Q: Where is your favorite location to shoot (specific place or type of place)?
A: I really like shooting while I’m out riding my bike. I come across some interesting things and perspectives while out for a ride. I also love shooting while out driving the gravel roads in central and southern Iowa. In reality though, a large portion of my photos are taken in my backyard.
Q: Is there a specific object you’ve found yourself photographing over and over again? If so, why?
A: There’s a few. First – My Tree. It’s a large Box Elder tree in the park directly behind my house, right next to the picnic shelter. I have taken hundreds of photos of that tree. It started out that whenever I would get a new camera or film, I would test it by taking photos of the tree from my deck, yard, or park. Then I put them all together in an album and had an ah-ha moment. These photos, using dozens of different cameras and film emulsions, taken in all different seasons, times, weather and light stand on their own entity – not just test shots. If I can wrap my head around how to present them and how to combine them with some decent words, I’ll eventually turn them into a zine or book. I’ve also been shooting the dolphin statue in front of the local swimming pool mostly when I’m out walking my dog. It’s the only piece of public art in my town and that’s sad.
Q: Favorite thing about the photographic community?
A: The enthusiasm and collaboration, especially by the younger people. With a few exceptions the FILM photography is a supportive group. The digital crowd, not so much.
Q: What do you think the photographic community is missing?
A: Its practitioners seem to be mostly male, so I’d like to see more women being actively involved. They’re out there, but I’d like to see more.
Q: Biggest photography related pet peeve?
A: So-called experts. Sure, criticism is fair, but there’s more than one way to skin a cat – and take a photograph. Can we let people pursue their own path without telling them they’re doing it wrong?
Q: What do you hope your photographic legacy will be?
A: Legacy? Oh, I doubt there will be any legacy. When I’m gone I’m pretty sure all my cameras will be sold or thrown away, as well as most of my photo’s. I would hope that I have one photograph that is still being looked at in a hundred years. I think that will suffice.
Q: Who is the one person (living or dead) that you’d like to photograph and why? Describe the type of portrait you’d shoot, and the message you’d want this portrait to communicate about this person.
A: Like I said, I’m not really a portrait shooter. So, I’ll just say I would like to take a portrait of my dad when he was a young man – well before my mom or us kids came into the picture. Really just to see what he was like back then. I heard stories, but he denied them all. After that, I’d say Elvis.
Matt is a very talented and knowledgeable photographer….and a bit of a goofball. I asked Matt for a self portrait that I could use for the interview, and he sent the above photo. I chose to include it anyway because I think it shows just how fun Matt is. I always look forward to Matt’s photos for the Frugal Film Photography project and really enjoy listening to his podcast.
Head on over @box_of_cameras or @mattmelcher on Instagram and show Matt some love. And give his podcast a listen!