Featured Artist:
Jennifer Ditona

(the following feature and interview was conducted by k@t and -Gabe- of MC7C. You like it, don't copy and paste it, direct link to this blog and give us props for our hard work. Don't be a uber commander of losers!)

Are you from Virginia or did you relocate here? Where did you grow up?

I am happily a Richmond native. I can't think of any other place I would rather of grown up. Richmond is so much a part of me that I find myself missing the wonderful bar-b-que sandwiches from Bills, the beers from Penny Lane Pub, the photography escapades along the James River and the laughter you hear from walking around Cary Town. I have traveled all over the country and I even lived in New York for awhile but it always seems to be Richmond that I go home to.

Do you have a particularly favorite (photo/ painting) you have created and why is it your favorite?

Any photograph that has someone I love in it would be a favorite. At some point we will all loose our memories. I have watched this with my grandparents recently and the one thing that always pulls them back is a photograph. So with this in mind, I take pictures of everything in my life and everyone who touches my heart. That way when I am wise and wrinkled I can look at my photographs, sit back and daydream about the life I lived and have proof for other generations that I existed and left my mark on the world.

What about photography captivated your interest?

Being able to tell a story with a single picture. I also find great joy in being part of the reaction and emotion that is invoked from photography.

What advice would you give to a person interested in becoming a professional photographer?

Be able to separate your personal self from a photo critique. Learn as much as you can, which would mean to surround yourself with those who motivate you and are willing to help you to succeed. And most importantly…Never loose who you are, Never sell your soul in order to make it big, Never step on the ones who knew you in the beginning and remember that Karma keeps her eyes on all of us.

Tell us about your experiences getting started as a professional photographer.

It is still very strange for me to call myself a Professional Photographer. I don't see myself that way. There is an on going conversation amongst my photography friends that we are not sure if a person becomes a pro when they make their first dollar or when they get published in one of the bigger syndications.

You have two sons. Have they taught you anything about being a better photographer? What have they shown you?

My children have taught me patience and to see things from all different levels of life. They are the reason I have gotten to where I am. They have shown me dedication, determination and that no matter what we go through in our lives, we make the decision everyday to get out of bed, smile at the sun and be thankful that life truly keeps going.

Do you prefer working with digital or film cameras? Why?

I still have all of my old film cameras and enjoy using them on my own time. I am even teaching my 5 year old how to compose and shoot with film but I use my digital cameras everyday and truly have nick named them "my lovers"! I don't go anywhere without one of my digitals and in most cases you will find one of them in my (big) purse at any given time. But on the flip side of that, I do honestly feel that any person who is wanting to be a professional photographer needs to learn all they can about film photography, learn about how a dark room works and in my opinion, the best way to know if you have the patience for photography is through trial and error with film. Plus any photographer worth getting to know should be able to explain to you how the dark room smells, It's Wonderful!

Can you tell us about your technical process.(camera type/ photo editing programs)

I am picked on because I am a Bi Photographer! What I am photographing will determine what camera I am using. I own a Nikon D70 with a 18-70mm lens, a 70-200mm 2.8 lens and a tele-extender that makes my 200mm double to 400mm. I use this camera mainly for sports and always when I am photography motorcycle racing. My other lover is a Canon 5D and the color that is produced with that camera and my 24-105mm f4 lens just amazes me. I use this one for my photojournalism and most of my portraits. My next purchase will be the new Nikon D3. It combines everything I love about my two cameras and then adds even more wonderful features. I have dreams about this next lover!!

Can you tell us about your creative process. How do you come up with ideas for photo shoots and shots?

Honestly, I don't sleep very well. I come up with most of my ideas late at night when my brain is running wild. I get inspiration from photographers I admire like Annie Lebowitz. I am also lucky enough to be able to learn from and work along side people who encourage me which in turn inspires me.

What are predominating concerns as an artist, and how do you express them?

The biggest concern I have with being an artist is telling the truth. Each series I begin has a reason, a purpose and a story. I find that there are too many photographers these days who are only in the business for the glamour or the title of "photographer". There are so many people who feel that if they can take a decent picture with a digital camera then suddenly they need a gallery opening. I believe it takes a lot more then that. It takes passion, personality, drive, motivation, inspiration, self respect, respect for others and a truthful, tell it like it is story! Life is not always sugar coated and photo chopped. Sometimes in order to see who we really are, we need to see the grit and be reminded that each of us has gone through something major in our lives and in most cases that is what connects us to each other. Don't be afraid to tell that story and to be driven by it!

What do you want to photograph that you've not yet shot?

Oh, wow this is a loaded question. There are so many people I want to photograph, stories I want to tell and places I want to travel to so I can explore them with my camera. My life is going to be long so ask me again when I am 87, riding on a train in New York City and we shall see what my response is at that point.

I am loving the photo story I am working on right now. It is about my friend KC and she is a Dominion Derby Girl. That life is crazy and colorful and full of energy. I am becoming very motivated by her and it is wonderful. I am also working on two other photo stories which are both of personal interest so they are also inspiring me in different parts of my life and career. I feel that I can honestly say that each person I have worked with has brought something wonderful into my world. I learn something from every shoot that I go on. There is a favorite quote of mine from Annie Leibovitz that is perfect for this question "A thing that you see in my pictures is that I was not afraid to fall in love with these people". I completely understand where she is coming from and believe this is why I carefully choose who I work with and who I also call my friends.

Tell us about your t-shirt project. What made you create it? Who comes up with what is on their shirts? Do you plan on exhibiting the photos soon?

My tee shirt series is close to my heart and is on going. The idea came to me when I realized that I surround myself with lovely people who all have thoughts and opinions that they have made a huge part of their existence. Each person I have photographed is a good friend of mine and has inspired me in my life and photography. When I ask them to pose for me I explain that they can write anything they are passionate about on their shirts and I strongly encourage them to think about it for a while and come up with something powerful. I would love to exhibit them at some point and would really love to make a book out of all of them once I have a big enough collection. I have received so much positive feed back from each picture and it is interesting to me to see who reacts to which shirt and why.

What about a really boring project that you did just to pay the rent?

I can't think of one that I did to just pay the rent BUT I did just photograph the Circus when they were in town and it really bothered me. I had to photograph an event for a photojournalism assignment and picked the Circus. I had no idea that I was going to get home that night, start editing my pictures and become heart broken with the way the animals were treated. Instead of concentrating on my assignment and editing I began to enlarge my pictures and noticed all of the marks of abuse on the elephants, I am a huge elephant lover! It has really gotten to me. I turned them in for my class assignment but was not proud of them in any way.

What are your present works about? How would you describe your work?

Currently, I am working on the three photo stories that I mentioned above, a lot of photojournalism since my ultimate goal is to someday become a photo editor, my tee shirt series, a dream like urban life series and another one I am very excited about that includes two of my favorite local artist which happen to also be lovely friends of mine. It is called "Three Chicks Doing Each other". I know how it sounds but trust me it is not sexual in any way. It is honest and it is based on three female artist only working, creating and being inspired by each other. Once it is complete it will be something that I am incredibly proud of , not only because of the amount of hard work that is going into it but also because of the two amazing women I am honored to be working with. It is something we have talked about for two years now. Its good to see it finally happening.

What other interests do you have? (besides photography)

My children of course. Everything they do amazes and interest me. I also love to read and I love to get lost in a book store, it has become a bit of an addiction. I enjoy sitting in a city and people watching. I travel from March through October photographing motorcycle racing and this has turned into also enjoying watching it at home on my TV or computer when I can't be at a track. There is nothing like it to me and I get a rush from it. I like to travel but I also love the feeling of always arriving back home. I like to explore new places, walk through street markets, try out new restaraunts and when I have the time, I really enjoy hiking. My favorite thing to do as of late is honestly to just sit with good friends, eat yummy food, drink good drinks and talk. I don't think people do this enough and it is how I get through most of my stressful times.

What artists have influenced you, and how?

I have been blessed that at the school I attend we have one of the top wedding photographers in Virginia (Sam Hughes), a Fulbright Award winner from the University of Missouri and freelance photographer for the Virginian Pilot (Laura Pohl) and the Newspaper Photographer of the Year International and Virginian Pilot photojournalist among multiple other things (Stephen M Katz) as our photography professors. I have been lucky enough to learn from each of them and I am truly blessed to call all of them my friends. All three of these photographers have shown me something unique and I try to apply all of these things to my work. Its kind of like having three little devils on my shoulder reminding me to look for different things and to get closer to my subjects. I am truly grateful to each of them and hope it shows in my work.

What do you think of the current trend of tattooed, alternative nearly (or fully) naked models such as Suicide Girls or various other alternate sites? Do you think it has a negative or positive effect on photography?

I feel that any subject that is photographed for the sole purpose of shock value is just not interesting to me. Don't get me wrong, I love to see artistically shot pictures of anyone with beautiful, meaningful ink and I enjoy photography men and women who have dedicated their bodies to telling their stories, I myself have a few tats and each has a story. I just get real annoyed when something that is so meaningful to so many becomes a fade and trendy, it loses it's appeal.

Artists or bands we need to check out?

Yes, my friend Sara is amazing at everything she puts her hands on so definitely check her out http://www.myspace.com/existentialfruitloop

Wendy W Maness Photography is a dear friend and beautiful photographer http://www.myspace.com/wendywmaness

Briana Cece is an Interior Designer and hair stylist http://www.myspace.com/bfrancesdesign

Holly is a glass blower among other adventures http://www.myspace.com/wonkapyro

Andre Jacobs Photography is an up and coming wedding photographer http://www.myspace.com/jacobs241

Norma at Niro Photography is a talented fashion photog. http://www.myspace.com/niro_photography

What's the most played song on your iPod (or an equivalent music playing device) in the past week?

Honestly, I have been listening to the soundtrack to Across the Universe non stop since I saw the movie over Christmas. I am a huge Beatles fan and it is definitely something to listen to when you are trying to chill and get inspired. Also it is what I have been listening to through out this interview!

What came first, the art or the misery? Explain.

For me, the camera came first. It's what I know. It's what I go to when I am happy. It's what I go to when I am miserable. When the camera is in front of me it becomes like a protective wall. I don't feel that anyone or anything can touch me (a brused foot and a derby girl will beg to differ with me). Somehow when I am behind my lens and faced with my art I become focused just on what I am seeing in my mind and making it appear as a form in front of me. All of the sleepless hours of dreaming about my pictures and then being able to produce them makes all of the "misery" so completely worth it.