Interview Liz H. Kaufman
Photography means nostalgia.
Name: Liz H. Kaufman
Hometown: East Bay Area, California
Style of photography: I don’t want to pigeonhole myself, really. My work can be perceived as a plethora of different styles.
Type of camera(s): Mamiya 7, Mamiya RZ ProII, Rolleiflex TLR, Canon QL 35mm, Polaroid, Panasonic Lumix digital point and shoot.
Website:www.lizhkaufman.com
What gives you inspiration?
Definitely my surroundings. The environment that I’m in has everything to do with my particular style and source of motivation. I used to be incredibly weather dependent when it came to inspiration, but going to school for four years in upstate New York has forced me to reason with my logic. My work has changed. Whether it’s for better or for worse, the city of Rochester has encouraged me to photograph in a certain way that I don’t think I could have physically or emotionally reached if I was still living in the Bay Area.
I’m inspired by those that succeed and those that fail. And I am inspired by friends, acquaintances, and complete strangers. And it goes without saying that Neil Bloem has without a doubt been my 3-1/2-year-long muse.
What are your influences?
Richard Avedon. I’m sure that thousands of people can say the same. In the American West has been and will always be influential to me. For those of you reading this, whoever you are, I highly suggest you rent or buy Darkness and Light. And watch it twice. Other influences include: The Internet, Blake Cole, my father, Stephen Shore, Martin Parr, Robert Frank, Jolie Wernette-Horn, Dawoud Bey, Mike Brodie, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Wes Anderson, and Cornelius Bloem. Quite possibly in that order.
Why did you choose these photos?
I tried to choose one piece from each body of work, but I think portraits are my strong suit. I chose one image (the second image) from an ongoing androgyny project I’m working on. The rest are portraits I’ve taken recently or in the last year or so.
What does photography mean to you?
Nostalgia. I can only thank my parents for documenting my childhood or else I would have no idea what actually happened. And Aesthetic Judgement. I take pleasure in the details.
Photos:
Copyright reserved by Liz H. Kaufman
