Analog Revival: February 2013

Tuck Chaylor:

It's the feeling i get when i see/hear it...
By Jacob Stordahl
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Side note from Analog Revival:
Be safe in the storm everyone! Enjoy a little reading while you're stuck inside.

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Some may look at Tuck's work and think, "That's too risque" or "It's too exposed", but there is a very artistic meaning behind his work. Although the presence of nude photographs is there, it is not the focus, nor the only type of work Tuck does (see our top ten below for examples). The meaning behind these shots, and his others as well, is to display beauty in its most natural state. Tuck's work is effortless and simple all tied together with a sense of elegance and beauty. The display of the female body in its natural state, is to show the beauty that we all inherit as human beings. Tuck chooses to display all things with a beautiful and natural display.

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We interviewed Tuck about his work and opinions about film, here are his reply's...

Q: What was your first film camera?

A:I'm sure I had quite a few different film cameras as a child, but the firstfilm camera i purchased for myself would be my Diana F+. It's a fun little camera.

Q:When did you start considering yourself a photographer?

A: I've only recently become comfortable andconfident in the work i produce. I wouldsay about 6 months prior to this interview.

Q:What do you think are the advantages of film?

A: To me there's something about film you can'tget from a digital camera. It's kind oflike comparing vinyl records to mp3s. They both are amazing in their own way, but there's something aboutanalog that I just moves me. It's thefeeling i get when i see/hear it. Plus ithink it takes a bit more skill to create unique and artistic photos on filmversus the digital stuff you can do in photoshop.

Q:Why do you choose to shoot mainly portraits?

A:I'm not really a very social person. Idon't do well in big crowds and I don't have a lot of friends, but I stillcrave that connection with people. Shooting portraits gives me a 2 to 3 hour window to connect one on onewith another person. I like that. I need that in my life.

Q:What is the reason and argument behind (what some might consider) risquéportraits?

A:haha. I live in a small town where there's a church on just about every streetcorner. A lot of people around here arereally negative when it comes to nudity. I've actually had someone call my work pornography. I'm just really inspired by the femaleform. I'm very much influenced bymemories. I remember once waking up nextto this girl and the sun was coming through the window and highlighting her exposedskin. The sun traced every curve in away that was so beautiful to me. I tryreally hard to capture that feeling in my photographs. I think seeing skin isvery important to getting that feeling. I don't think that nudity or sexuality is anything to be ashamed of.

Q:If you could only shoot with one of your film cameras for the rest of yourlife, which would you pick?

A:Hands down, My Olympus OM-10. My batterylife last forever, my negatives/photos will outlive me, and It takes the mosthonest photos. An amazing photographerby the name of Coach Moon (http://coachmoon.tumblr.com) influenced my decisionto purchase this camera and buy the manual adapter for it. Coach has inspired me more than any otherphotographer out there.

Q:Do you have a favorite brand of film?

A:Not really... haha I'm not too picky about what brand of film i shootwith. I love Impossible Project PX 600Silver Shade Black Frame, Fuji Instax mini & wide, Lomography's Lady Grey,and as far as 35mm film, I'm not too picky. I buy a lot of expired film (it's cheap and can be unpredictable sometimes)

Q:What are the pros and cons of film?

A:Pros: there's honesty in film, It's raw, and as i mentioned before thenegatives will be around after my life expires and that it has a different feelto it.

Cons: unless you're shooting instant, there's alittle bit of waiting time between taking the shot and seeing the shot andevery shot cost you a little money.

Q:How about the pros and cons of digital?

A:Pros: Instant gratification. It gives you the chance to see if your photos areexactly the way you want them. Endless possibilities in photoshop.

Cons:I'm not sure if there are any real cons to digital. I guess the one thing i don't like aboutdigital is the fact that damn near anyone can pick up a digital camera, put itin auto, and take a good photo without knowing anything about their camera.

Q:Are there any tips you would like to give to anyone starting in photography?

A:I think that if you're wanting to get into photography then you should learnabout your camera, learn about proper lighting, and good composition and afteryou learn all the "rules" to photography take and throw that shitaway and just shoot. Have fun withit. Just don't be afraid to makemistakes. Take photos that make youhappy.

"here'sto all the artists who know their work is just a drop in the ocean, but do itanyway" P.O.S.

Iwould like to add that I'm not a purist by any means. I love film and I love digital. I shoot a lotof digital and instant film simply because I like instant gratification.

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Also, here is a list of his film equipment he uses...