It’s time for another installment of my project where I ask photographers to answer 30 questions about themselves and their photography, and to share some of their work. My next guest is a very active member of the Negative Positives Photography Podcast Facebook group and of the film photography community. He’s been a guest on the Negative Positives Film Photography podcast, and has even made a few appearances as a “Cocoa Captain” (that’s an inside joke you won’t get if you don’t listen to the podcast). In addition to that, he and a couple of this friends have their own film photography podcast: The Grainy Dayz Podcast (with a “Z”).
Folks, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to Dustin Cogsdell.
I’ve never met Dustin in person, but I’ve been lucky enough to work with him on the Frugal Film Project in 2019. This project is a group of international photographers who use cameras costing less than $50 to prove that great film photography can be had on a budget.
Pull up a chair and get to know Dustin.
Q: What is your name and where do you live?
A: I’m Dustin Cogsdell and I live in Villa Rica, Georgia, U.S.A.
Q: How can people contact you?
A: I’m on Instagram as @fortheloveofgrain and I can also be reached at www.grainydayzpodcast.com.
Q: If we’ve met, how do we know each other?
A: We met through the Frugal Film Project!
Q: What is your earliest memory of taking a photography?
A: I remember shooting a 110 camera as a child. I don't remember exactly what I was shooting though. Aside from that, shooting my friends skateboarding as an early teen.
Q: Of the cameras you currently own, what is your favorite (you may choose one of each format if applicable?
A: This is the dreaded question for a film photographer, right? it's tough for me because there are two that I gravitate towards, both Square format. Between the Hasselblad 500 c/m and the Yashicamat 124g, I would have to say the Yashicamat124g. I know the story of it and where it came from and I seem to get more keepers per roll from that camera than any other.
Q: Is there a camera you’ve always lusted after and hope to acquire someday? What makes you desire this camera?
A: I had to really think about this question, but when I realized which one it was, it was a duh moment for me… The Hasselblad Xpan. I am a huge fan of panorama cameras and the Xpan is unlike any other panorama camera, it has a more cinematic look.
Q: Is there a camera you no longer have that you miss?
A: At times I miss my Mamiya RB67. I struggled with using the camera. It was bulky and fiddly, but I was always blown away by my negatives.
Q: What type of photographs do you most enjoy taking (portraits, landscapes, street, etc) and why?
A: I could answer this, but I would have a different answer by the time we finish the interview. It really depends on my mood, and what I’m out to accomplish.
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: Cameras are tools. That's like asking someone who sketches if they prefer paper or their iPads, right? It really depends on what I’m wanting to accomplish. Lately, I have moved from shooting film for everything, I prefer the digital cameras when hanging out with friends or going to the bar. Film has become my “serious work” platform for the most part.
Q: How often/much do you shoot photographs (rolls per week, month, etc)?
A: In 2019, I think it was 68 rolls shot. Of those, 12 rolls were for the frugal film project, so that averages out to about a roll a week. So far this year, I have been shooting more large format 4x5, so it’s a lot less frames shot.
Q: Do you prefer to photograph with other people, or would you rather shoot alone? Please explain.
A: I like them both. They both have their merits. It’s fun to have the camaraderie of shooting with friends. You get to hang out, talk, and cut up. I tend to only do “work” when I'm alone though. I like to put in my earbuds, zone out to the music, and focus on what I’m shooting.
Q: What is your favorite black and white film right now and why?
A: Ilford Hp5+. It’s my favorite right now because its available in all of the formats I shoot, and I want to try to have consistency in my black and white shooting.
Q: What is your favorite color film right now and why?
A: Kodak Pro Image 100! It’s cheap and it kind of reminds me of a cross between Ektar and Portra 160.
Q: Complete the following sentence: “I am a photographer because…”. What do YOU get from photography?
A: …it lets me express myself through a creative medium. Photography can be very personal, and also very much not. When you share your work, whether it be a snapshot or something that you have spent years working on, as soon as you release it to the public, it's not yours anymore.
Q: Best experience while taking photographs?
A: I tend to be a bit introverted with strangers, so i'm not always looking to talk to people when I’m out shooting, but EVERY TIME i got out with my TLR, people want to chat and I think it has really opened me up a bit to talk with more people. All that said, I met an older lady once who was so nice. She started talking to me about using a TLR when she was in her yearbook club as a teen and I sat and talked with her for close to an hour. It was great.
Q: Most emotional experience while taking photographs?
A: Same answer as above.
Q: Worst experience while taking photographs.
A: I have been pretty lucky. I have never really had a bad experience. If I had to choose, I would say dropping a lens while shooting. That was a bummer.
Q: Tell me about something related to photography you want to learn.
A: WET PLATE PHOTOGRAPHY!!!! It’s something I am actively working towards learning in 2020.
Q: Tell me about something NOT related to photography you want to learn.
A: Leather working. I love leather goods and I think it's so cool what people can do with it.
Q: What does your family/loved ones think/feel about your photography?
A: They are supportive. My wife says my main hobby is a collector of hobbies, but somehow photography has stuck around while others have fallen away.
Q: What is the last photography related book you’ve acquired?
A: Early Color by Saul Leiter. it's a fantastic book of his early works in color.
Q: Name one of your favorite accounts on Instagram and explain what draws you to this photographer.
A: I'm going to cheat and name two. My favorite photographer is Justin Rosenberg. He is so creative and his photos are distinctly his. I say I’m going to cheat and name two because he has two accounts, his first is @jsrphotos, which is his work with models and portraiture. His second account is more landscape work and a lot of awesome work with fog. That account is @not_currently.
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: I have never sold my work!
Q: Are there any photography related projects you’re working on that you’d like to tell us about?
A: The Grainy Dayz Podcast! It’s an ongoing project for me. Weekly, I meet up with a couple friends and sometimes a guest and chat about photography.
Q: Are there any non-photographic related projects you’re working on that you’d like to tell us about?
A: I don't really have any non photographic projects going on at the moment.
Q: Where is your favorite location to shoot (specific place or type of place)?
A: Waffle House! I have been taking a lot of photos of and at Waffle House lately.
Q: Is there a specific object you’ve found yourself photographing over and over again? If so, why?
A: My Dog Ansel. He is a white German Shepherd and he is my number one model. I love dogs, and there is usually at least one frame of him on every roll of film.
Q: Favorite thing about the photographic community?
A: The people are so willing to share their knowledge! if you don't know how to do something, just ask and someone will step up to help you!
Q: What do you think the photographic community is missing?
A: The open mindedness to the ever changing state of manufacturers. it seems like every announcement is apocalyptic or the second coming.
Q: Biggest photography related pet peeve?
A: This could be said about most any hobby, but Gatekeepers. There are still people out there who believe that if you don't do it a certain way then you shouldn't bother.
Q: What do you hope your photographic legacy will be?
A: I don't even know how to begin to answer this. Mostly just a nice guy who was willing to chat with and help others, and share my knowledge as much as possible.
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: My Grandmother. She passed away last year and was sick for many years before. I would like to go back and do a portrait session with her before she got sick.
Dustin is an extremely talented photographer and is a blast to chat with. He’s well known throughout the the film photography community, especially in the film photography podcast circles.
Head on over @fortheloveofgrain on Instagram and show Dustin some love.