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September 7, 2008 |
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Created and Maintained by: The Photoimaging Information Council |
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Articles |
 
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TakeGreatPictures.com (TGP): What made you want to concentrate your photographic efforts on Colorado? Robert Castellino (RC): It was close to home, and I love the state. Colorado is very diverse and everything is so breathtaking and immense. It can take a lifetime to photograph this beautiful place. I look for ways to make extraordinary photographs out of ordinary, often-seen settings-I tell a story about the West and the earth, which will hopefully inspire people to think, 'how beautiful, and how can I preserve it?' I try to get viewers to connect with their sense of place and the natural world around them.
 Mesa Arch - Winter Sun Rise - Canyonlands Utah © 2005 Robert Castellino
TGP: When do you prefer to shoot? RG: The first and last light is always important, but the drama of storm light is also great. At times, you can even work with sub-standard light. If something significant happens during an hour when you wouldn't normally shoot, you can sometimes work with light that occurs in the middle of the day, pre-dawn, post-sunset, etc. You may take a risk when working with this light, but you can sometimes push or pull film, or over- or underexpose pictures in a way that works for you.
 Marshall Wetlands Sunrise - Boulder Colorado © 2005 Robert Castellino
TGP: What makes your photography unique? RG: I think I subscribe to a notion that a simple subject that's depicted in the right color and light transcends life into something greater. There's a sense of awe in the ability to record something in a way that touches people. It's almost as if photography becomes a spiritual experience.
 Rainbow over Sneffels Range, Ridgeway Colorado © 2005 Robert Castellino
TGP: What's your approach to capturing images? RG: I think that the most important variable about pursuing a photograph is that you know your subject well. Visit it often and study its nuances that other people may overlook, whether it's industry, scenery or an event. A photo subject takes time and intricate study. Sometimes you may happen upon something, but this doesn't always present the greatest photo opportunity. You must look beyond the ordinary and see the extraordinary. I think that Nevada Weir, Sam Abell, and Ernst Haas embody this philosophy.
 Shadows and Aspens, Grand Mesa, Colorado © 2005 Robert Castellino
TGP: What projects are you currently working on? RG: Currently, I'm focused on the city of Boulder, a retrospective of the last 140 years. I have access to photo archives and the work of 7-8 photographers over this period of time. This historical information includes the Brownie camera, photo preservation in glass plates, black-and-white and color, and film to digital imaging. I'm writing a children's book for my son about a butterfly that migrates from Mexico to Canada, entitled Flutter. I'm also writing and photographing another book on Colorado, Rivers West, which deals with the importance of water in the western deserts. Additionally, I work for the University of Colorado in Boulder, and photograph and publish their alumni calendar, and document campus life across America. My publishing company encompasses diverse projects.
 Frozen Rosebud, Home Garden © 2005 Robert Castellino
TGP: Who are your clientele? RG: The Johns Mansville Co., Level 3, Oracle Corporation, The Smithsonian Institute, Denver International Airport, CH2M Hill, McData, University of Colorado, University of Oregon, UC Davis, UC Irvine, George Mason University, Morgan Stanley, Bank One, The National Forest Service, City of Denver, City of Boulder, Boulder magazine, and Men's Journal.
 The Pavillions at 16th and Champa - Denver, Colorado © 2005 Robert Castellino
TGP: What photo equipment are you using? RG: I've used a variety of Pentax cameras, ranging from 35mm to digital. I test and shoot the Pentax medium-format 67II and 645 models, as well as the digital *ist D. Pentax will be introducing a medium-format 645 digital camera soon. As for film, I use Fujichrome Velvia ISO 50, Professional NPH, NPZ, and Fujipress.
 Much Ado About Nothing, Colorado Shakespeare Festival - University of Colorado © 2005 Robert Castellino
TGP: What advice would you give those who want to get into professional photography? RG: Make sure you get out and take risks. Study your subject, work it thoroughly and exhaust every possibility-shoot it from different angles and at varying times of the day. Revisit it over and over again. It's also important to learn business skills. If you can manage a business, you have a good chance of becoming a successful artist, but if you aren't a businessperson, you'll be hard-pressed to become an artist.
 Women's Softball, University of Oregon vs Arizona State Game Day Eugene Oregon © 2005 Robert Castellino
TGP: What future projects do you have planned? RG: The books, Flutter and Colorado Anthem are on tap, and Colorado: Yesterday and Today will be published in September, 2006. I'm concluding the research and development on this project now.
 © 2005 Robert Castellino
TGP: Do you have any advice for fledgling photographers who are still learning their craft? RG: I think one of the most important things when moving from film to digital imaging is an understanding of the mechanics, such as aperture settings, shutter speeds, ISO and white balance. Too often, people confine themselves to automatic settings when shooting digitally. I urge people to learn the mechanics of a film SLR before using a digital camera. Then you can learn how to set up and compose a shot, and to have the patience it takes to create great photos. A chef makes lots of mistakes before making a great dish. Make it a daily practice to work on your art. After a while, what was difficult to master becomes easier, and you can start to frame an image, layer it and arrive at your own style. We're currently transitioning from film to digital, and I think digital is a great way to work.
 Brother and Sister, Little Washington, Virginia © 2005 Robert Castellino
>>Click here to read Robert Castellino's Bio & Background... >>Click here to visit Robert Castellino's website...
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