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\n<\/a>With a stunning catalog of moody and atmospheric black and white photography, Tennessee-based photographer Nicholas Bell’s passion to capture a moment in time rarely ceases.\u00a0Zatista’s contributing writer Nancy Cost talks to Bell about inspirations, hurdles, and favorite recent photographs.<\/span><\/p>\n
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<\/a>The Journey by Nicholas Bell on Zatista<\/p><\/div>\n
How long have you been a photographer?<\/strong> What are three favorite photographs recently shot?<\/strong> How do you keep yourself motivated and your photography fresh?<\/strong> As far as keeping things fresh, for me this just comes from wanting to grow creatively. There are definitely times of frustration when things feel stagnant, but usually all it takes is me getting in the right place at the right time again and the inspiration comes right back.<\/p>\n What\u2019s the best part about being a photographer?<\/strong> Silence by Nicholas Bell on Zatista<\/p><\/div>\n What type of cameras do you shoot with?<\/strong> What\u2019s the hardest part of your job?<\/strong> What types of environments inspire you to make photographs?<\/strong> Some of my favorite times for photography are when conditions outside are anything but sunny. I like to photograph in fog, rain, and falling snow \u2013 these conditions can create some beautifully dynamic moods, and qualities of light.<\/p>\n How much do you digitally alter your images before making prints?<\/strong> The adjustments I make specifically for printing usually deal with luminosity levels so that the print looks as close as possible to what is represented on the computer.<\/p>\n Lakeshore Trees by Nicholas Bell on Zatista<\/p><\/div>\n Do you have favorite places you like to go and shoot?<\/strong> Who\u2019s the first photographer that comes to your mind and why?<\/strong> What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don\u2019t yet have?<\/strong> Where do you see your work in 5 years?<\/strong>
\nI\u2019ve been photographing with a purpose for about twelve years, over twenty counting the hobby years.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThe Journey\u201d, \u201cSilence\u201d and \u201cLakeshore Trees\u201d<\/p>\n
\nMotivation comes fairly easy because I\u2019m never satisfied for very long and I have an incredible passion for photography. I also have a huge catalog of images in my mind that I\u2019m always searching for so it feels like a never ending treasure hunt. Many times I have to force myself to slow down on my photography so I can do the other necessary things in life.<\/p>\n
\nOne of my photographs (\u201cThe Journey\u201d) was inspired by a personal loss. A few weeks ago I visited a gallery where the image was being exhibited, and found that it had sold. The gallery owner explained to me that the person who bought it cried when he saw it, saying that it reminded him of the loss of his father. Knowing that my work has touched someone on an emotional level is the best thing about being a photographer.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nDigital SLR<\/p>\n
\nSelf-promotion. I tend to be a fairly quiet and reserved person so I\u2019m never entirely comfortable walking into a gallery and talking about myself and my work. I do it, and I do it often, but it doesn\u2019t feel very humble and there is always considerable anxiety involved.<\/p>\n
\nI like to convey a strong sense of mood in my photos so I\u2019m always looking for atmospheric environments. Scenes that inspire me range from the very tranquil to mysterious, as long as a scene has a dramatic element or conveys a particular mood, I\u2019m usually attracted to it.<\/p>\n
\nI always make some adjustments, it really just depends how much adjusting they need. I usually adjust the contrast or do some dodging and burning if I feel it will convey a stronger mood in the image. I almost always do some amount of sharpening as well.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nOne of my favorite places is Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It\u2019s a historic settlement site located in a valley and is one of the most inspiring places I\u2019ve been. It gets a lot of fog and has a mysterious and rugged beauty that changes dramatically with the seasons. There are fence lined country roads, cabins and churches from the 1800\u2019s, and horses in the fields.\u00a0My absolute favorite time to photograph there is after a heavy snow. The trees that line the narrow roads get heavy with snow and hang low creating a real ‘winter wonderland’ feeling. I truly feel privileged to live only an hour away from such a beautiful place.<\/p>\n
\nMichael Kenna. I saw his work for the first time in the mid 80s and remember feeling an instant connection to it. Something about his images felt very personal to me, almost as if I am there. His work makes an instant and lasting impact on me and it inspired me to explore the art of photography.<\/p>\n
\nThe only piece of equipment I feel like I\u2019m missing is a four wheel drive. My favorite time for photography is in the winter and I miss many opportunities for great images simply because I can\u2019t get there. Living just outside the Smoky Mountains, it is very hilly and it gets hard to get around, even after a light snow. The roads in the mountains are often only open to four wheel drives, so this is something I really look forward to getting.<\/p>\n
\nI hope my work is still evolving and that I\u2019m still growing creatively. I don\u2019t really have specific expectations as far as venues or exhibits. I measure my success as a photographer on the quality of my work and how well I\u2019m able to express myself through my images. So far, I\u2019ve found that if I work hard and with enough passion, good things happen and opportunities open up.<\/p>\n