Pamela Detlor

As artists I believe that we do not only gravitate to just one specific form of art. I believe as artists we gravitate to all creative endeavors. It’s in our nature to discover new creative paths and to follow them where ever they lead. A painter may also gravitate to music, or an actor may gravitate to sculpting. We explore and experiment, challenging ourselves not only with our creativity but also our skill. Artists dare to go where they’ve not gone before, to discover something new… not only in a new endeavor, but to discover more about themselves.

I frequent Twitter and in my time there I keep coming across some really amazing and talented people. The great thing is that these people are from all walks of life and from all over the world. Twitter seems to allow there to be no borders between people and I think that opens up the ability to relate to others in a way that we haven’t before. As a Twittizen of Twitter I’ve had a chance to get to know another Twittizen… the very talented photographer and artist Pamela Detlor. I had a chance to grab a few minutes with Pamela to find out how her journey into art happened.

Thank you so very much Pamela for giving me some time to share you and your art with the world!

KB: I spent some time on your website “The Thought Vox” and had the chance to wander through some of the great photographs you’ve taken of people, animals, and musical performers. You have a great eye when it comes to capturing them and “the moment”. When did you first get your hands on a camera?

PAMELA: I got my first camera when I was eleven-years-old. I always wanted one. From time to time my mother would let me take photos with hers. My first camera cost $19.95 it was a Kodak Instamatic and came with one flash strip. I still have that camera. I have been taking photos for 30 years and I still love it.

KB: Going through your website I came upon some of your drawing and paintings. I enjoyed seeing how your eye dealt with things in each medium. It’s always interesting to see how an artist will go from one to the other, especially in the visual arts. So tell me, which one actually came first, the drawing and painting or the camera?

PAMELA: Drawing and painting came first. When I was four-years-old I wanted a dog. We lived in an apartment and weren’t allowed dogs. So I painted a picture of a neighbor’s cocker Spaniel, on the back of a Sears’ winter boot box. It looked like the dog; my mother was shocked. She enrolled me in art classes when I turned five.

KB: My first drawing was of horses, I believe I was about five-years-old. I wanted a horse. Couldn’t have one, had a dog. So drew a horse! So I totally understand wanting a dog and that being the first thing you painted. Do you think the first one, drawings and painting, led you to photography? And how do you feel the one translated to the other?

PAMELA: I have always been a visual person. I believe I came into the world with a compulsion to be creative. I’m not sure if drawing lead to wanting to take photos. I think, probably, I was drawn to another form of capturing images. I’ve also been writing for as long as I can remember, as well as playing guitar. I can’t imagine a world where I couldn’t have creative outlets. Each inspires the other.

KB: Do you feel one has influenced the other more, and which?

PAMELA: Photos have influenced my art from the beginning. Even at five, I was reproducing things I saw in photos, more than creating from imagination. My favorite thing to draw and paint always was, and remains: people. Often I will see a photo someone else has taken, if the lighting, expression, and framing of the shot, is exceptional; or the emotion grabs me – I am inspired to sketch the image.

KB: Many photographers have started in film and then transitioned over to digital. I actually love my Canon T50 film camera and my lens, I miss not using it them. Yes, always tempted to bring them out, but have gone the way of digital. Did you start shooting with film and which do you prefer?

PAMELA: I started with film. In junior high we had a dark room. It was a great experience to take our own photos and work through all the steps of developing them. However, I’m very happy with digital. It is far less expensive and far more environmentally friendly than the processes/supplies involved in shooting with film.

KB: Usually when something changes so drastically, film to digital, and the move being all technology based, there are built in advantages and drawbacks. What do you feel are the trade offs, if there are any in your experience?

PAMELA: I suppose a trade off would be that 20 years ago one had to know what one was doing to be a photographer. These days anyone can be a “photographer.” I don’t think this is a bad thing. But I have heard others lament about it. Aside from that: digital quality has improved so much I don’t feel there is a trade off anymore.

KB: These days everyone takes photos and everyone owns Photoshop. Magazines are always air-brushing something in Photoshop. I think the real artistry of photography literally gets brushed away. Do you do any post Photoshop processing on your photos? Are you using any built in digital camera filters etc?

PAMELA: I don’t use camera filters much at all. I like to shoot raw and I rarely use a flash for anything. I like to capture natural light. Needless to say, there are a lot of throwaway shots – but when I get a few great shots it is worth shooting Natural. That being said – I do use Photoshop if a photo requires it. Sometimes a shot is great but needs to be brightened up a bit. So I will tweak the exposure here and there. When I’m shooting people, I use Photoshop to correct blemishes. Nobody wants a huge zit in the middle of his or her face.

KB: Every artist has their own paint box of sorts. Tools the artist feels comfortable with in creating their art. What are your preferred tools of choice when it comes to photography?

PAMELA: I’m a pretty sparse photographer. I like to rely on the light of the event/place. Sometimes I will use regular house lamps and dampen the bulb with wax paper. Most of the time it is just one camera, two lenses, & me: a regular 35-55mm & a 70-300mm zoom.

KB: Outside of all the photos we can admire on your website. Have you any plans for a coffee table book of your photos or even a gallery showing?

PAMELA: Several of my photos are featured in the recently published third book from bestselling, California based, artist/authors Linda Woods and Karen Dinino. http://visualchronicles.typepad.com/

There is a possibility of an exhibit to support “Meeting In The Ladies Room,” http://www.ladiesroombook.com/

But the details are still in the works. As of today I am doing a lot of painting and am working toward a gallery showing of pained works next year. Perhaps after that I may think about a photo exhibit.

KB: There are other creative folks out there, either those looking for inspiration or those looking to take their first step in being creative. If you had to share some words of advice with one of these people what words of wisdom would you impart on them?

PAMELA: My advice is to continue to create. Do it for the love of art and not to get rich. Very few artists/photographers are rolling in the doe. I find art (all types, especially music) that is created for cash, tends to lack passion and feels very contrived. You don’t have to suffer for your art – but keep it honest.

KB: This is a favorite question of mine… do you think that creativity is universal?

PAMELA: I absolutely believe that creativity is universal. Some of us are more hands on than others, but most of the world’s population is moved by creativity of one form or another. “Feeling” a song/painting/photograph is feeling creative energy. It’s all connected.

KB: Another favorite question and no I get no kick-backs from the Crayola Company… but I’m thinking I should! If you were a crayon, what color would you be?

PAMELA: I would be a green crayon (forest green) most of the time. The rest of the time I would be an orange one.

KB: We know you as photographer and artist, but you also have your own online magazine/blog. I believe this too is a form of art. Since I also do a lot of Internet work for a variety of people and companies, I handle branding and image management for them. I’m always interested in how online tools such as social networking, blogs etc change things for those who dare to use them. Do you feel that this form of expression has benefitted your endeavors?

PAMELA: The Thought Vox has opened up lots of opportunities to create. I’ve always been an avid pusher of music. I believe in supporting all types of artists and PAYING for their art. I have met many more musicians through musicians I’ve photographed and featured on my site. (I’ve also met artists through people I’ve photographed). Indie artists don’t have money. However, it’s nothing for me to go to a gig, photograph the band, and then do a piece on them. This leads them to new fans and a little revenue to keep plugging away at music. It also brings me new readers. Everybody wins.

KB: Well it’s time for the artist-to-artist interview question… your chance to ask me a question. Ask away!

PAMELA: What is your favorite form of artistic expression?

KB: Gosh, this one truly is difficult for me and I’m not just saying that for the heck of it. Quick background then I can answer this maybe. Of course like every other fine artist I started with painting and drawing, did sculpting. Had to explore more of my artistic side and started doing photography. Didn’t stop there because I had words in me, so then came the writer. Played a couple instruments and my love of music joined with the writer of words and I started writing songs. Then being an artist who is also a geek, technology took me into digital art. Yes you can paint and draw digitally… saves on paint and pencils.*L*

Now to answer your question. I love all these things and I can’t give up any of them. But my favorite form of artistic expression is really two things, I can’t choose just one. The two are SO much a part of me… so personal, it’s hard to always share them with the world. I’m slowly getting better at that. I make my statements about the world, my feelings and beliefs by drawing/painting and writing. These are literally what I pour my heart and soul into. Maybe it’s because I hold the pencil or brush in my hand and it’s physically part of me. I leave pieces of me on the canvas and paper. There are the mistakes in the paintings or drawings only I know are there, but that’s ok… because it’s part of me and some how they just work. And in those drawings and paintings are not just my voice on the world or myself but I leave other messages in them along the way that you have to look for… again, pieces of me. Sometimes it’s the crumb of food that wanders onto the page I was writing and it has engrained itself into the fibers of the paper. Not only is the paint, graphite, or crayon part of my artistic expression… but so is that crumb, that mistake etc.

There you have it, my favorite forms of artistic expression.

I’d like to give Pamela a big thank you for sitting down with me and letting us into her world. Below you can view some of Pamela’s creative works. But better yet, you really need to stop by www.thethoughtvox.com to see more of her photography and so much more!

From Pamela and myself I hope we captured another creative area for you to be inspired by. And I surely hope you got a glimpse through Pamela’s camera on how she sees the world.

Thank YOU for stopping in, it helps make a bit of my dream come true each time you do. Pull that camera out of the closet or where ever you have it and go capture some creative moments!

You can keep up with Pamela @ the following places!

◄ Back

Next ►

Picture 1 of 5