Patrick
Callbeck by Matt
Dixon, Autumn '09
All
Photos by Patrick Callbeck (except above)
1.
Could you start off by introducing yourself and telling us how
you first got into photography?.
Hi, my name is Patrick Callbeck, I'm a fourth year business/philosophy
student at UPEI. I got into photography in my senior year of high
school when i decided I was going to take the intro to photography
course that they offered. I realized just how much fun it was,
so I went to cashconverters and bought my first camera so I could
take pictures on my own time.
2. Is there
a particular moment that stands out to you that inspired you to
pursue photography? And what was that first camera you bought
at cash converters?
The first camera I bought was a Pentax K1000. It was a wildly
popular SLR back in the 70s. The one I found had a 35mm screw-on
lens and the most amazing depth of field I have ever seen. As
for my first moment of inspiration. It must have been the moment
after I had developed the first roll of film that I had ever shot.
I was still at the point where I didn't quite know how to use
my camera, but I remember the excitement of me and my friends
as we opened that sleeve to look at all the pictures.
3.
You recently had a photography show at Cafe Ampersand in downtown
Charlottetown. What made you decide to do the show and how did
it all come together?
Last year my friend Megan and I attempted to throw together a
show about balloons, but it never came to fruition. So this year
I decided I would dedicate a couple months of my life to putting
together a set of photos that I was really proud of. I came up
with the idea of doing the triptychs (set of three images) while
I was backpacking in Europe this spring. We went to a museum in
Florence that was full of Renaissance paintings that were set
up the same way. They would have three canvases that combined
together to make one work of art. I knew that I wanted the pictures
to be of my friends, so I figured that would be a good way to
make the photos more accessible and exciting for people that didn't
know the subjects. It also allowed me to explore something that
I had never seen done in portrait photography and it got me to
think outside of a single frame and 4x6 aspect of today's digital
cameras.
4. It's no secret
that Ampersand has been a beacon of light for bands and artists
of all sorts for the past while. What attracted you to Ampersand
as a space to host your show?
Ampersand is such a welcoming place and they are always looking
for art to occupy the walls upstairs, so it was the first and
only place I went to when I had the idea for the show.
Click to
Enlarge the Photos...
5.
What kind of impression do you hope to leave upon other’s
who see your photographs?
mm, tough question. We all have different emotional responses
to different art; whether it's when we hear a song, watch a movie,
or look at a picture, so I'm not expecting everyone to have the
same reaction or feeling when they see my photos. That being said,
with the Three of a Kind series I would love to have impressed
upon people the importance of friendship, and taking the time
to admire all of different qualities each of your friends have.
That was why I included the little write ups underneath each photo
at Ampersand.
6. Which one
item of equipment would you say is the most important to you?
Sentimentally, I would have to say my Pentax K1000, just because
it was my first camera. Technically, I would have to say my flashes.
Without them, I would have a much harder time controlling the
light and style of my pictures. For Three of a Kind there was
only one picture that didn't involve a wireless off-camera flash
(the beach photo).
7. How do you
decide on locations & subjects?
For band photos, the subject is fairly obvious, but for my own
I tend to just go with my friends. They are beautiful people,
and they don't cost a penny hah. Locations are a little more difficult
since Charlottetown is such a small place, and since not every
photos is worthy of a nice countryside location. I generally try
to find a visually appealing place that has some sort of connection
to the subject. Like the photos I took of the Barnkats. I had
them stand in a field of sunflowers. Visually it looks great,
but it also goes well with the band's music and the personality
of the band members.
For Three of
a Kind there were a couple locations that were chosen simply for
aesthetics, but most of them were actually chosen because they
were significant to the person, or to our friendship. Laura in
the ballet studio, Jeff with John A Mcdonald, or Meghan by the
pond where I took one of my first photos ever, which was of her.
8. I'm putting
you on the spot now; which is your favourite photo from the Three
of A Kind series?
Haha, I've been thinking about this, and it in no way does it
mean I like her better than anyone else, but the photo of Ellen
is visually my favourite. Hate to blow my own horn, but I love
how the center frame could stand out as a beautiful studio shot
by itself. I also have a hard on for well done symmetry in photos,
so I really like how that one turned out.
9. What future
plans do you have with photography? Would you like to make a career
of it?
I'm going to see where the wind takes me. My dream would be to
go to a fine arts school and actually study photography, but I've
got another year left of business at UPEI, so I'm not going anywhere
until that is finished.
10. Any final
words?
Just a big thank you to everyone who went to see my show or has
encouraged me to keep taking pictures. Also, its a fun hobby that
anyone can pick up. Do it.
Also, many thanks
to you Matt! I'm excited to see how the interview looks on your
site.
 P
CALLBECK IS AN EMERGING PEI PHOTOGRAPHER, CHECK OUT HIS WORK
WE SURE DO A LOT OF INTERVIEWS, GO
AHEAD & TAKE A LOOK
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