Rachel Carrier

You have been at photography for quite some time now. When exactly did you start taking it seriously and what was the camera you first started out on?
I think I've always taken photography seriously - from the moment I was given my first camera when I was 15 I was taking photos all the time, going through several rolls of film each week. I had a lot of friends in bands when I first started out and I think I made my first portfolio of live band photography about a year after I started taking pictures. My first camera was an inexpensive point and shoot.

A lot of purists think that real photographers only shoot film.Your work spans everything from classic Polaroid cameras to a state of the art DSLR. What helps you decide which format you will use to capture a particular image?
I often save my Nikon D70 for when I'm on an assignment for a paper, magazine or website, but even then I'll often bring one or two other film or Polaroid cameras along with me just so I can get a different perspective on my subject. For personal art shots I will use my Canon AE-1 along with one or two of my toy cameras. I almost always bring along more than one camera.

Who are some of your favorite photographers?
I really love the way Philip-Lorca diCorcia's images often look like screen shots from a movie. His use of dramatic lighting and sometimes unknowing subjects is fascinating to me and always creates a visually stunning image. I really love documentary photography too - socially important images that are executed well. One of my favorite photo sites right now is www.shorpy.com - so many well composed black and white photos are posted there each day often from the first half of the last century.

Is there an image throughout history that resonates with you, and why?
Actually, I can't say that my mind goes to one particular photo. I've been influenced by so many photographs, by famous photographers and even friends. There are so many different styles and formats to choose from that to narrow it down to just one would be too limiting for myself, especially since I personally can't seem to just focus on a particular medium or subject.

Your images capture both amazing human subjects and beautiful landscapes. Does one appeal to you more than the other?
Its always more of a challenge to take a portrait photo as opposed to a landscape and I think I generally enjoy taking them much more. Most people don't like having their photos taken so I'll often depend on some of my more understanding friends to pose for me. The ultimate challenge is getting a good photograph of a stranger - I'm often too shy to ask so I'll sneak photos. It typically makes for a better photograph when your subject is at ease anyhow.

Psychologists contend a person's outward appearance can be a reflection of their inward persona. Do you think you dress to the part of a photographer? Or do you merely where it on your sleeve?
I've never been one to carry around a lot of equipment or fancy camera bags so I'm not sure if I'd look like a "real" photographer to someone passing by. I suppose that means I do just wear this passion of mine on my left sleeve.

A lot of great filmmakers cite their love for the still image as their inspiration for most of their work. Contrarily, what are your top five most visually stunning movies?
I actually have found that the movies I tend to enjoy most have such superb cinematography that, frame by frame, they're basically composed of beautiful individual photographs. I really have a soft spot for the look of 60s French films like Band of Outsiders, Breathless, and Stolen Kisses. Visually stunning movies like Run Lola Run, Amelie, City of God are really appealing to me mostly because of their use of rich, vibrant colors. I also love the visual simplicity of films like Royal Tenenbaums and Ghost World.

Do you always carry your camera(s) with in case you get inspired, or is photography for you more of a planned event?
I don't typically carry them around on a day to day basis but if I'm going somewhere where I know I'll have the time and opportunity to shoot photos I'll bring them along. I feel like I take my best photos when I'm travelling because I'm seeing new things and I suppose I enjoy documenting my life.

What is next for you?
Its been truly difficult for me to find employment as a writer and photographer in the current economic times. I'm trying to stay active by submitting my work to various magazines and publications and of course Cozy. Also being involved in a community of photographers on Flickr has kept me interested and inspired by fresh creative ideas. I'm always looking for new vintage cameras to experiment with - my most recent acquisition was a Polaroid 103 which uses peel-apart 690 film and I've been having an incredibly difficult time mastering it.

Where can we see some of your work?
I post almost all of my photos on Flickr - www.flickr.com/rachelcarrier »