Interview Barrett Emke
This idea that a photograph can be as visceral as any sort of memory is very fascinating to me.
Name: Barrett Emke
Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri, but currently Lawrence, Kansas
Style of photography: I’m not sure yet!
Type of camera(s): Minolta Maxxum 7000, Pentax Spotmatic, Pentax K1000, Yashica T4, Canon G10, etc.
Website: http://barrettemke.chompwomp.com
What gives you inspiration?
So many very different things. Looking, music, people, places, things, ideas. The other day I was reading an article for a class that made a connection between photography and metaphysics, in that the eye sees something and, along with the brain and the various senses, interprets and contextualizes vision into a unique experience. This idea that a photograph can be as visceral as any sort of memory is very fascinating to me.
What are your influences?
Again, so many. In terms of photographers, Robert Frank, William Eggleston, Stephen Shore, Eugene Atget, Nan Goldin, Diane Arbus, Cartier-Bresson… David Benjamin Sherry has been a huge influence since I discovered his work a couple of years ago. Lately, the films of Werner Herzog, especially Nosferatu.
Why did you choose these photos?
It was challenging for me to put together just a few photographs that work well together. I feel that these photos have a natural dialogue between them.
What does photography mean to you?
“When people look at my pictures I want them to feel the way they do when they want to read a line of a poem twice.” - Robert Frank
Photos:
Copyright reserved by Barrett Emke
February 17th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Barrett,
These are amazing photos and you have articulated yourself extremely well in describing your inspiration. I am very proud of what you are accomplishing!
Love,
Aunt Julie
February 19th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Hi Barrett-
Loved your words and photographs, and like the words of a poem, I wanted to experience your photographs more than once - and I did. I really like your work. You’ve got a fan in me.
xo,
Aunt Amy