We love seeing the world through the eyes of others at Tweek. Sometimes that means we’re scanning your negatives, restoring your photos or printing them. For photographer, Kyle Myles, that often means helping him during the printing process. More recently we were helping him print a number of panoramic photos for a show in his hometown of Washington D.C. Often times we get to look into his life with his friends and his family when we print his work. We love printing Kyle’s work. Even more, we love sharing it on the blog today. So, here ya go. Learn more about Kyle Myles.
TI: When did you first pick up a camera and what was your motivation?
KM: I first picked up a camera around 2012 to document my friends that I was skateboarding with.
TI: Has your motivation changed from then to now? How so?
KM: I’m still documenting skateboarding but now I photograph everything else, and everyone else I know, as well.
TI: Has you gear changed from then to now? What did you start out shooting with? How old are you/did you start out pre-digital age?
KM: My first camera was a Sony Nex-5 and i’ve used a wide variety of cameras, both film and digital, ever since. I’m 27 now so I started well after digital came about.
TI: Tweek printed some panoramas for you that were pretty awesome…what were you shooting those with?
KM: Thank you! Those were shot with a Hasselblad XPan that a friend loaned to me.
TI: Do you do those very often or just when the scene is right?
KM: I would certainly shoot more panoramics if only I could afford an XPan. The wide open western landscape definitely lends itself to a aspect ratio like that.
TI: Favorite subject? Do you have to say your family?
KM: Family and friends for sure. I’ve realized lately that the majority of my work is centered around the people closest to me. I’m not particularly interested in documenting strangers, though I enjoy and admire the work of many photographers who do.
TI: Speaking of family…your niece and nephew must just see a camera as an extension of your face by now. How have their interactions with you and your camera changed over the years? Or have they? Do they put on a show for the camera at all or just act naturally all the time?
KM: They’ve seen me with a camera ever since I picked one up so I think they must see it as an extension of me by now. They’re the only people that I know who (most of the time) don’t put on a show when they see the camera. We’ll see how that dynamic changes as they grow but for the time being they’re generally in their own worlds and don’t pay my camera any mind.
TI: People or places/things? Do you prefer one over the other?
KM: I definitely prefer photographing the people in my life but sometimes a scene/landscape can hold just as much emotion or connection for me. I can’t explain what I might see in a scene that brings me to photograph it and I never know until I have gotten home whether it has translated or not.
TI: Black and white all the way? A few of your panos are in color…is that it?
KM: The majority of my work is definitely in black and white but i’ve been pushing myself lately to try and make more work in color. It’s been a challenge to say the least.
TI: Why are you such a fan of B&W?
KM: When I started shooting with film and developing it myself, I got into black and white for how easy/cheap it was process. After shooting that way for some time it became natural to see and photograph things with that in mind. I look at just as much color work as I do black and white but for me my preference for my own photography is still overwhelmingly black and white.
TI: Future of photography equipment…what do you see?
KM: I think DSLR’s are definitely on the decline as camera manufacturers are investing more into mirrorless technology and many users are looking for the best performance in the smallest package. That’s part of what makes the Sony A7(r,s), Fuji X and Leica M series so popular. As great a tool that the cell phone camera is, and I use mine just as frequently as any camera I own, I think there will always be a market for dedicated still and video cameras. I try not to think too much about equipment. The most important thing is to find a tool that works best for you and the way you work.
TI: I’m a big fan of clean, negative space and you do that really well. Did you start out seeing this way or did you just end up here?
KM: That’s something that has developed in my work over time. I find cluttered photographs too distracting and I try to give the key elements their own space to breathe
TI: Any shows coming up for you? Give us the details and tell us what we could see if we are able to go.
KM: I currently have an exhibition of panoramic images, made in California and Nevada, up at Hanks Cocktail Bar in Washington, DC. It runs through October 31st.
TI: What brought you to Tweek? How long have you worked with Tweek, and what keeps you coming back for each project?
KM: I was initially approached by my friend Emily Brewer to try out Tweek’s latest online platform about a year or so ago. I enjoy working with you all for the one on one experience (Tony is just a text or email away for any of my obsessive questions), the value for my money and the end result which has never disappointed me.
TI: Would you recommend Tweek to other photographers?
KM: Definitely, and I have on quite a few occasions.
TI: Current inspiration:
KM: The stack of books on my coffee table (Larry Towell is at the top of the pile) and whatever good work my friends make on a daily basis.
TI: Current musical obsession:
KM: Future Islands is the most recent played artist on my Spotify.
TI: Favorite meal of the day:
KM: Dinner, because its the one meal I never forget to eat.
TI: Coffee or Chocolate:
KM: Don’t do that to me…