Interview With Eric Truax Beauty And Fashion Photographer
March 22, 2009
Enjoy this professional, informative and personal artist interview with Albany, New York based Eric Truax fashion, beauty and product photographer.
The easiest way I could sum up this Q&A is that Eric’s answers are as crisp, clear and focused as his photos!
He also gave the best answer so to this question: Who or what would you love to shoot that you haven’t already? Answer: Mars! I found that answer incredibly open minded and creative!
Q: Do you like to talk about yourself or your pictures? If yes, about what aspects of photography? If no, why?
A: Sure! I love to talk about the technical, artistic, and emotional aspects of my photography. I like to discuss all of the elements that go in to creating a great photograph including lighting, composition, and decisive moment. Posing, makeup and hair, styling, as well as expression and interaction from the subject are all important elements in much of the work that I do. Timing is critical. It means the difference between capturing that fleeting look in the eye, that toss of the hair, the moment of truth…technical aspects remain equally important but are secondary to the spirit of the image, the essence of the subject. You either have or you don’t…
Q: How would you describe your attention span?
A: Focused. I can spend hours, even days editing and correcting a single image. Yet, when shooting, I am extremely quick with the reflexes to capture that fleeting moment. An essential quality for any successful photographer…
Q: When did you decide to become a photographer?
A: During a high school photography course.
Q: What does photography mean to you?
A: It means capturing a moment in time. A moment that otherwise may never be recalled again. It means light and shadow. What is seen and not seen…revealed and hidden.
Q: Can you recall the first photo you took that made you go WOW!?
A: Yes, a sunset over the Helderberg mountains of upstate NY.
Q: Do you have any formal training regarding photography?
A: I learned much of what I know and do from reading and from watching and working with established professionals. I have also taken courses and workshops to improve my skills as a photographer. But much of what I do, I have learned on my own through experience and experimentation.
Q: How technical is your photography?
A: The most technical aspects of my photography are the lighting of the shot and the post production and retouching work.
Q: How do you feel about cropping?
A: I believe it is an important part of the photographic process. I believe a photographer should have a clear vision within his/her mind prior to the capture of any image, but cropping can be a very powerful and useful tool that can strengthen and enhance the impact of a photograph.
Q: Where is your favorite place to live and work as a photographer in the World and why?
A: My favorite place to live is where I now live- New York. I love to shoot anywhere there is beautiful light and beautiful subjects. But above the towers of New York and the beaches of Long Island, I would have to say my favorite place to shoot is in the beautiful desert and canyons of the American Southwest for it’s beautiful landscapes and warm natural colors and light.
Q: Define the word “beauty”!
A: Beauty is in the eye alone… beauty is soft, beauty is strong, beauty is smooth, beauty is fresh, beauty is youth, beauty is age, beauty is color, beauty is light, beauty is breath, beauty is love, beauty is life…
Q: What is your most favorite and least favorite word in photography or life? How do they make you feel?
A: I would have to say my least favorite word in photography is photogenic. Hate the term. Some people say they are not photogenic. I say they have not yet found the right photographer to take their photograph.
My least favorite word in life? Can’t. Anything can be done. You just have to decide you want to do it. My most favorite words? Beautiful…do…be…love…live.
Q: How does your personality change when you look through the camera?
A: I become quite focused, determined when behind the camera. I work the shot changing little nuances until things are just right. But I always treat people with respect throughout my shoots. Very important. I always do my best to maintain a level of excitement and enthusiasm throughout my shoots. Gotta have fun…
Q: How do you feel about missed shots which cannot be recreated?
A: I go back and do it. Make it happen. But for those timeless shots that you may feel are lost, it can be frustrating.
Q: Ever concerned about failure?
A: Every day…but it’s not an option.
Q: Who are your influences?
A: Helmut Newton, Patrick Demarchelier, Richard Avedon, Herb Ritts, Ansel Adams, Salvador Dali, Markus Klinko. I look through magazines and books for inspiration on lighting and photographic styles as well as watching movies and film for inspiration for lighting. I visit galleries and museums. Take trips, go for walks. Stay in tune with nature- the basic essence of our humanity.
Q: Describe a day in your personal or professional life.
A: Coffee. Email. News. Shower. More coffee. Water. Food. Work. Break. Eat. Laugh. $ex. Sleep.
Q: What are the biggest personal or professional challenges you face on a daily basis?
A: Learning to please myself is the hardest thing if life. I struggle with perfectionism and learning when good is good enough.
Q: What has been the single biggest obstacle against growing as a photographer in whole?
A: Only the limitations I choose to put on myself. Otherwise, there really are no limits…
Q: What are your favorite subjects to photograph?
A: Beautiful people, beautiful things, in beautiful places.
Q: Do you ever have photographer’s block and if yes how do you deal with it?
A: Yes, I do feel as though I experience photographer’s block on occasion. That usually means it’s time to pick up my guitar and find release. It’s refreshing to work in more than one media. Music is an outlet of emotion for me, an outpouring of the soul. Photography is the opposite, a capturing of what I see and my taking in of the world around me. Absorbing the life.
Q: What types of assignments are you attracted most?
A: Anything that’s a challenge and pays well. I’m most attracted to fashion and beauty editorials and advertising. still life and landscapes help me focus and refocus. I love the small little details of close-up work as well.
Q: Describe what black and white photography means to you?
A: Black and White is a wonderful world… sometimes color talks too much…and yet doesn’t say enough…
Q: Do you think of yourself as an artist and what do you think of the word artist?
A: An artist is someone who creates and expresses him/herself through that creation. It’s vision, it’s heart, it’s soul, it’s meaning, it’s life.
Q: How do you describe your photographic style?
A: My style is simple and realistic with a touch of abstraction and mystery.
Q: Who or what would you love to shoot that you haven’t already?
A: Monica Bellucci, Fiji, White sands, Mars
Q: How do you feel about digital manipulation and to what extent do you utilize it?
A: Digital manipulation is simply another tool in the photographic process. I use it sparingly. What matters is the finished image.
To connect with Eric visit his: photography website – MySpace profile – Facebook page – Model Mayhem portfolio.
Participating in my photographer interview series is open to members and non-members of my FREE Fashion Industry Directory by way of this photographer self interview Q&A form.
Self interview questions are also available for other fashion industry professionals, visit my Makeup Artist Interview and Hair Stylist Interview pages and use the contact form to submit the answers.
