Inspired Eye Issue 131
I was recently featured in The Inspired Eye Magazine Issue 131. Scroll past the images to read the full interview below.
IE: Please tell us something about you, your life and interests, etc. Put as much detail as you like and then we will start the questions.
BP: I’ve always had a fascination with subcultures, graffiti, and the streets. The desire to document everyday life through photography dates back to my great grandfather Lyman Whitlock who documented the Tulsa Race Riot in 1921. In 2010 I hopped my first freight train, started documenting traditional box car art, and co-founded the Folklore Brotherhood. Over the years my love for documenting everyday life has gotten me robbed, banned, battered, sued, and even arrested. In 2014 I won a Federal Civil Rights lawsuit against the Sebastian County Sheriffs Department over a photograph I took of an officer on duty. This led to a change in policies and procedures ensuring the protection of photographers rights under the First Amendment in Arkansas.
IE: What inspired you to become a photographer?
BP: I grew up around photography. When I was very young my mother worked at a 1 hour photo in the mall. I remember the smell of the developing chemicals and was fascinated by the whole process. The fact that you could capture a moment in time really seemed cool to me.
IE: What age are you and at what age did you start your journey as a photographer?
BP: I am currently 44 years old. My first camera was a 1984 Fisher Price Kodak 110 so I must have been around 4 or 5 when I started the journey.
IE: Would you mind sharing some of the things you feel helped you along the way with your photography, (lessons, workshops, books, etc)….and also some of the things that may have hindered you, that you overcame on this journey?
BP: A lot of trial and error. I just have fun taking photos. Once you start taking it too serious it can hinder you. It becomes too much about “the way” instead of “the process”.
IE: Do you feel photography enhances your life? If so, how?
BP: Defiantly. Photography has helped me notice the little things most people over look. I’m more present in the moment and to what is going on around me. I see beauty in lines, shadows, street art, and the struggle of everyday life.
IE: If we are speaking specifically of photographers, which ones of the past and present do you admire?
BP: Past photographers I admire are my great grandfather Lyman Whitlock who documented the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot and Walker Evans. As for the present, two I admire are Jace Kartye (@jacekartye on Instagram) and Denise Lyons (@roamingnola on Instagram).
IE: What purpose does photography serve for you?
BP: Photography helps me escape the rat race and be grateful for the life I have. It is a form of therapy as well as a creative outlet.
IE: Do you do photography for hire or as an art form?
BP: I have never nor will ever do it for hire. I feel like once I take money for photography it becomes a job and I’ll eventually grow to hate it. To me it is strictly a creative outlet and art form.
IE: What do you do for work and how does photography fit into that?
BP: I work in water treatment. Photography doesn’t fit into that at all, other than motivate me to show up everyday to get a paycheck so I can travel and shoot.
IE: What genre of photography are you most comfortable working in?
BP: Documentary photography and travel. Sometimes I like to ice down the YETI and hit the back roads of Arkansas with my girlfriend and take pictures of old barns, signs, etc.
IE: When you work, are you working on different series or just finding photos that fit the way you feel at the moment?
BP: I shoot in the moment. If a person, scene, or street art catches my eye I take the shot. The only on going series I have is monikers. A collection of traditional box car art drawn on the side of North American freight by men and women who ride the rails. I view it as a form of Americana that is slowly being erased by time and graffiti artist with no respect for tradition.
IE: Can you describe a few of the trigger mechanisms that make you want to stop and shoot?
BP: I document every day life, so if I see something that makes me smile or evokes strong feelings I try to get the shot. If I come across a person who has a lot of character or takes the time to talk to me on the street I ask to take their portrait.
IE: How strong of a connection do you have with your subject matter and can you describe that connection?
BP: There are a few people on the streets I’ve gotten to know over the years. Every time I run into them downtown I try to stop and talk, see how things are going and offer to buy them a meal or give them a quick $20. Helping the homeless is my way of paying tithes and spreading God’s love. It’s easy to just snap a photo or shoot a portrait. Taking the time to talk to someone and really listen to what they have to say gives me that true connection.
IE: What are your recurring themes? Why?
BP: Street Art. I have been very lucky to live in Fort Smith, Arkansas. My city has brought in famous street artists from around the world and allowed them to leave their mark on our town. I am only an hour away from Bentonville, Arkansas who has also embraced street artists and has many local and international artist’s work displayed downtown. Ben Eine, D’FACE, Keven Lyons, and local artist Jason Jones are among some of my favorite.
IE: What camera are you working with currently?
BP: Currently I am shooting with a Ricoh GR II and Nikon F3P.
IE: What is your favorite Focal Length or Field of View?
BP: 28mm or 50mm. The Ricoh has a 28mm f2.8 full frame equivalent and I have a Nikkor AI-S 50mm f1.8 pancake lens for the F3P.
IE: How do you see the relationship with your camera? Is it a friend, tool, or whatever?
BP: Definitely a tool, but in a way an extension of my eyes. A way for me to capture moments in time.
IE: Do you have a preference for Black & White or Color? Please explain why.
BP: I gravitate towards black and white but some shots are best viewed in living color.
IE: Are you self-taught, educated, or a little bit of both?
BP: Self taught and still learning. I don’t really know much about all the technical stuff. Up until a few years ago I thought a histogram was a surgery women had to get. I just shoot and sometimes get lucky.
IE: How do you feel about being photographed?
BP: I hate being photographed. I think somewhere around high school I got really camera shy and never grew out of it. Which is quite odd considering I take random strangers photos without their consent. This makes me a little hesitant to shoot at times.
IE: Do you like to work by yourself or to have someone with you? Please explain why.
BP: I take the majority of my shots while traveling, so I always have my better half with me. Luckily she lets me shoot.
IE: Do you listen to music while you are shooting? How do you feel the music enhances the visual experience?
BP: I never listen to music while I shoot. I want to be present in the moment and to what is going on around me. The sound of the street is my music. However, when working on my website, going through shots, or editing I always listen to music. Anything from Missy Elliot to Merl Haggard, just depends on my mood.
IE: Do you have a preference for images in an analog or a digital state? Why?
BP: In a perfect world we’d all shoot analog and have the negatives stored properly so that the images are never lost or accidentally deleted. But digital seems to be the easiest and cheapest way to shoot these days. I think I will always prefer the look and the experience of analog over digital, but shoot digital 80% of the time.
IE: How important is the post-processing of the pictures in your work?
BP: When I shoot film I send it to Third Man in Nashville to process. Whatever scans they send back I use. With the Ricoh I shoot RAW plus JPEG in black and white. I use DXO Pro Raw and Film Pack 7. I never learned how to use Photoshop or Lightroom. I just experiment until I think it looks good. I try not to over think post processing.
IE: Where in the world are you located?
BP: Fort Smith, Arkansas the Natural State.
IE: Where is your favorite place to work?
BP: New Orleans, Louisiana. The French quarter is always full of energy. The city has lots of characters and culture. With all the tourist walking around, people don’t think twice about someone with a camera.
IE: When you’re feeling somewhat slow or lost, how do you find your way back to find inspiration to get working again?
BP: Time. I look at photography as a life long journey. There have been times I went months even years without shooting, then get a wild hair to go out and document. I just go with the flow and take it easy. I don’t want to burn myself out.
IE: Do you exhibit your work in any form?
BP: Only on my website. At times I will have certain shots printed and framed to give to people or establishments I think will enjoy them.
IE: Do you collect other photographers’ work?
BP: I am still saving up to buy one of Eric Kim’s prints. Maybe in 20 years I’ll be able to afford one. All sarcasm aside, no. I do not collect other photographers work.
IE: How do you feel about the current state of photography?
BP: I really like the fact film is making a comeback. Pentax just came out with a new film camera and that is super cool. I wish it was full frame instead of half, but it’s a start. I would love to see Nikon do a point and shoot like the 35Ti and 28Ti from the 90’s. A new high quality 35mm point and shoot camera would be awesome, especially for street photography.
IE: How satisfied are you in your current state of photography and what would you like to improve upon?
BP: Overall I’m pretty satisfied. I would love to learn how to shoot manual one day with my Nikon F3P. Right now I shoot in auto, just set the ISO, and guess on the aperture. To really take the time to understand how light works and capture it on film would be cool. I would also love to learn how to process and develop my own film in a darkroom and make prints.
IE: What would you be doing now if you had not picked up the camera?
BP: I probably would have found my way into graffiti or street art. As a child I was very fond of cartoon art and would constantly be drawing and doodling on things. When I see good street art I feel compelled to photograph it because in time it will be vandalized or completely gone.
IE: What do you dislike about photography?
BP: TikTok and Instagram influencers. They’ve got it where you can’t even buy a Ricoh GR or X100. It’s not all about views and likes.
IE: Is there a question you want to answer that I haven’t asked?
BP: The perfect weekend for me would consist of a large cheese pizza, Jolt Cola, Uncle Fester’s Quest on the original Nintendo Entertainment System, followed by watching Beverly Hills Cop on VHS. Saturday morning cartoons with a huge Tupperware bowl of Fruity Pebbles, listening to cassette tapes in my walkman, and cat napping with my orange tabby La Roo.
IE: If you would like to make a closing statement, we’d love to hear what you have to say.
BP: Thank you for taking the time to interview me and showcase a few of my shots. If anyone is interested in reading some cool interviews with street artists and hoboes feel free to check out my blog.
IE: Where do you want us to link to? (Flickr, Instagram, etc)
BP: My website, www.digital-hobo.com