June 14, 2004 - This week, we interview Sam Javanrouh from Daily Dose of Imagery:

Please tell us a little about yourself:
Born in Tehran/Iran in 1973. Moved to Canada in 1999 and lived in Toronto ever since. I’m currently working in an animation and special effects company.

First time grabbing a camera?
I was about 6, when my father let me hold his 35mm Minolta SLR camera and shoot a few photos.

Why does photography interest you?
I’m obsessed with images and visuals, and photography is one of the most powerful visual mediums. I’ve been always fascinated with the idea of capturing a moment and freezing time.

Other hobbies other than photography? Do they mix with it?
My first passion is movies and animation, and mostly visual aspects of them. I follow the work of my favorite cinematographers like a sports fan! Second is comic strips and graphic novels (bandes dessiné) or as I like to call it; the 8th art. My favorite artists are too many to mention here but I learned quite a lot about composition and framing from them. And last but not least is the mixture of the first two: Computer Games! I’m an avid gamer and I believe the visuals in games are going to overpower the movies very soon. All these hobbies mix very closely with photography. I learned so much from all these mediums for taking better photos.

Your most memorable photographic experience?
Taking a double exposure of my friend talking to himself in a pitch dark room. I used B shutter speed and 2 flash bursts while approximately guessing the correct positions with a flashlight. I was in high school and used a Canon AE-1 35mm camera. Seeing the result was quite satisfying.

Most negative photographic experience?
I went to a trip and took a lot of great shots (at least I think I did!) and when I got back, all the film rolls were destroyed by the lab due to technical difficulties! Another reason for switching to digital!

What is your shooting style? How and what do you prefer to shoot? What is the underlying theme in your work?
I shoot mostly spontaneously and hardly plan ahead for what I’m going to shoot next, I take my camera everywhere and usually have a macro and a circular polarizer filter and also a mini reflector in case I came across something worth shooting that needed a little extra help. I shoot mostly with available light. I don’t take a lot of portraits and people photos and am more interested in textures, patterns and details.

Why do you prefer that shooting style? Those things you shoot? Why not anything else?
It’s just what I enjoy most. The subjects that interest me change overtime. I try to change my point of view periodically which helps me explore new possibilities.

Film or digital?
Digital for the most part but I still use film, mostly for my lomo cameras.

Why did you start a photoblog?
It was a self assignment, to challenge myself for creating one quality image each day. I never thought it would continue for long, but I’m glad it did.

What have been the biggest joys in running a photoblog?
Looking at a big archive of images that is growing every passing day which couldn’t have been made any other way. And also having many visitors is always very satisfying.

The biggest strains in running a photoblog?
Due to the nature of my photoblog, I have to update everyday and as you can imagine, it’s not always fun. Sometimes I come home from work very late at night and I still have to do my homework.

Has photography and photoblogging changed your life?
Yes. In a good way, trying to see something new everyday has been very rewarding. And in a not so good way, sometimes I need some breaks and I’m sure my family does feel the same. I spend more time behind the computer after starting the photoblog which is not so good.

Your inspirations? Both in photography and photoblogs?
My inspirations are endless and are growing everyday. I buy way too many magazines and books and each inspire me in a way. My inspiration is mainly the works of the cinematographers I love. Among them are Néstor Almendros, Darius Khondji, Robby Müller, Vittorio Storaro, Lance Acord, Sven Nykvist, Michael Chapman, Gordon Willis, Gregg Toland… For online resources, you can find a lot of links to the works I like in my photoblog’s links page.

The best photograph you've ever seen?
There are way too many to pick one. Of the photos that can make a difference, I can think of, “Murder of a Vietcong by Saigon Police Chief” by Eddie Adams which has been in my head since I was kid.

What can make photoblogs better?
Better photos, not more photos.

Are you involved in anything else photography-wise other than your photoblog?
I have some personal photo essays and I do participate in sites like Photo Friday once in a while.

As always, we thank you for both this interview, and for your wonderful photoblog...