Today we’d like to introduce you to Ron Pickering.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Photography has been the only career passion I have had but as many do, I decided to pursue financial gain over what I was truly meant to do as my life work. I started hearing speaker after speaker on shows like Super Soul Sunday say that a person cannot work at 100% if they are not doing what they truly love. I realized that I was not being fair to myself or my employers so after 30 years in the software industry, I started pursing my photography passion at Grand Rapids Community College. I received a merit scholarship to College for Creative Studies starting Fall 2018 for commercial (food) and fine art photography.
I feel photography is relevant as ever, whether the power of the documentary to influence positive social change to fine art photography influencing moods and attitudes. Photography can be a very powerful tool and creative outlet which I feel a responsibility to pass on to the younger generations. Sharing knowledge, experiences and ideas is best way to break barriers. By this positive engagement with others, I feel I can help break a bit of the negativity in the world.
Please tell us about your art.
My work is a study of the world around me in the medium of Dancing Photographic Effects creating uniquely colorful works of art. What you see in the finished art work is what was in my camera. I was taught this base technique on an Ansel Adams workshop in Yosemite. Once the leader of the workshop showed me this method, I knew exactly where to go with my fine art photography. I use movement, camera settings and the colors/shapes as they present themselves to me. Through a lot of experimenting, I can look at a scene and pre-visualize what it might look like in a finished image. I am continually working and perfecting these expressions of my world.
My goal is to get people to a) think deeper about the world around them, b) stop and go beyond the surface beauty and c) brighten the day of the viewer by getting them to slow down for minute to enjoy life.
What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
I believe that the conditions for artists is very challenging but also exciting with all the ways to get people to an artist’s work. With the Internet, digital and interesting times we artists have no shortage of themes and issues to tackle. Mostly I believe artists, now more than ever, are needed to combat hate, injustice and selfishness. I believe Chicago along with cities like Detroit (where I go to College for Creative Studies) can keep setting up event around art, purchase art for public display and make afford spaces for artist to create work.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My work is available for purchase at www.ronpickeringphotography.artstorefronts.com. You can follow me on Instagram at www.instagram.com/rpickphoto/.
For commercial work, please visit ronpickeringphotography.com.
Contact Info:
- Address: PO Box 2642
Douglas Michigan 49406 - Website: ronpickeringphotography.com
- Phone: 2483101069
- Email: ron@ronpickeringphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rpickphoto/
Image Credit:
Ron Pickering Photography
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