Katie Gail
Photographer

Royce (7:05:36 PM): Katie... when you are done with dinner give me a shout.
Royce (7:40:19 PM): doink!
Katie (7:44:24 PM): it's almost done cooking.
Katie (7:44:29 PM): then I need to eat it!
Royce (7:44:30 PM): ahhh
Royce (7:44:33 PM): ok
Katie (7:44:37 PM): eating is fast for me.
Royce (7:44:38 PM): what is for dinner?
Katie (7:45:10 PM): a whole chicken, mashed potatoes, wild & white rice with green beans in this sauce, salad.
Royce (7:45:29 PM): sounds good.
Katie (7:45:30 PM): in 30 min. I’ll be more available :D
Royce (7:45:44 PM): ok
Katie (7:45:45 PM): ja, I make my mashed potatoes from scratch! Yum
Royce (7:46:23 PM): the best.
Katie (7:46:43 PM): I’m actually a fairly good cook.
Royce (7:46:52 PM): I believe you...
Royce (7:47:08 PM): I mean why wouldn't you be?
Katie (7:47:20 PM): I dunno.
Royce (7:47:47 PM): I like to cook too.
Royce (7:47:58 PM): I am not too bad myself.
Royce (7:48:08 PM): if I am in the mood.
Katie (7:48:10 PM): what is your specialty dish?
Royce (7:48:19 PM): hehe
Royce (7:48:21 PM): um
Katie (7:48:43 PM): mine is lemon chicken.
Katie (7:48:56 PM): ok need to mash the potatoes now.
Royce (7:50:36 PM): I do a pretty mean grilled salmon...

===========================

Yes the most part of this interview was done in real-time via AIM. While I waited for Katie to eat, I took the opportunity to go take a look at some of her photographs again at katiegailcom.

Read on and you will be able to see her love of the city of New York through her photographs and get get some verbal confermation from her words.

So, let's join in the conversation, already in progress...

Katie (8:28:39 PM): ready Freddy?
Royce (8:28:49 PM): yep, lets do it.
Katie (8:29:05 PM): hold up .. Did you see my new series? Deception? Just curious. Well. I’m just really happy with it. b/c I normally don't do stuff like that.
Royce (8:29:20 PM): Yes I wanted to talk to you about that. It is a lot different from your other photos.
Royce (8:33:41 PM): Obviously, some very dramatic imagery.
Royce (8:33:56 PM): Did you enjoy fabricating that scene?
Katie (8:34:00 PM): Very much so. It was an idea that I had for some time now. Took about two hours in total to do. I had a great time setting up the camera, the lighting, and lens work.
Royce (8:34:11 PM): Where did it come from? A bad experience in your past?
Katie (8:34:38 PM): I believe it came from a dream; it's kinda hard to describe my thought process.
Royce (8:34:43 PM): so it came from a dream rather than your own thoughts of revenge?
Royce (8:35:02 PM): The first in the series is very film noir.
Royce (8:35:37 PM): The others are in macro which really changes the intimacy and the perspective.
Katie (8:36:43 PM): Exactly. I love noir, even in colour. The macro type shots for me were to show the intensity of the nature of the woman's mind.
Royce (8:37:53 PM): It works in that sense.
Katie (8:38:06 PM): Something you must understand is that, I'm not really a word person, but rather an image person. So for me to express a plot/story, I see a scene or collage.
Royce (8:38:20 PM): That is great.
Royce (8:38:21 PM): lol
Katie (8:38:27 PM): It's like being in a dream all the time.
Royce (8:38:41 PM): This whole word thing is something I have had to work on too.
Royce (8:39:24 PM): Are there other themes you have in your head dieing to get out now?


Deception I



Deception II, III, IV

 Royce (8:39:38 PM): Is this going to start a new direction for you?
Katie (8:39:41 PM): Yes.
Katie (8:39:56 PM): More of a wider range of direction from me.
Royce (8:39:58 PM): Is it going to be a surprise?
Katie (8:40:09 PM): But of course!
Royce (8:40:14 PM): It is certainly different.
Royce (8:40:21 PM): So we will have to wait to see?
Katie (8:40:56 PM): Indeed. All art is a surprise, even to the artist. I wanted to practice indoor/portrait photography and to have something in mind does help a lot.
Royce (8:41:29 PM): Have you done much indoor portrait work?
Katie (8:41:45 PM): Very little, and I wasn't happy with most of them.
Royce (8:42:01 PM): I am assuming you are not speaking of any thing close to traditional studio portraiture
Katie (8:42:28 PM): Nope.
Royce (8:42:58 PM): That is interesting since I have been heading a little bit that way in my painting.
Royce (8:43:08 PM): A place I never thought I would go.
Katie (8:43:35 PM): That's great, explore, explore, explore.
Royce (8:43:30 PM): But, lets talk about themes in your work.
Katie (8:43:41 PM): Okay.
Royce (8:43:56 PM): I am looking at your series of sleeping people. (Sleeping Beauty series)
Royce (8:44:27 PM): What a great somewhat voyeuristic sort of a series.
Royce (8:44:59 PM): What did you expect to get from this series?
Katie (8:45:09 PM): Ah yes, very easy for me to do on that particular day. It was very hot in NYC, and Union Square is a spot where most people hang out and enjoy the summer days.
Katie (8:45:58 PM): I had that as a goal of mine at first. To try to gather as many people taking a nap in public. To show whom ever views the series just how relaxed some people are in the city.
Royce (8:46:44 PM): In most of those photos you let the viewer be far enough away as to not feel like we are invading the person’s space, which I think is important to show the relaxation.
Royce (8:47:03 PM): Were you pleased with the results?
Katie (8:47:24 PM): Yes. I like personal space. And I respect with others. I'm very pleased.
Royce (8:47:26 PM): Is it some thing that you think you would continue to work on
Katie (8:47:43 PM): Always.


Sleeping Beauties

Busy Corners

 Royce (8:48:28 PM): One very strong reoccurring image is the streets of NYC.
Royce (8:48:42 PM): You obviously have a great love for the city.
Katie (8:49:13 PM): NYC will always have my heart. Street shots are something that I enjoy taking.
Royce (8:49:31 PM): You do them very well I might add.
Katie (8:49:43 PM): Thank you!
Royce (8:50:55 PM): There are a couple of films that come to mind when I see many of those street scenes
Katie (8:51:10 PM): Interesting, which ones?
Royce (8:53:15 PM): The Pawnbroker
Royce (8:53:23 PM): Starring Rod Steiger.
Royce (8:53:27 PM): Have you seen it?
Katie (8:53:40 PM): I'm afraid not, but I'll check it out.
Royce (8:53:46 PM): You must. It has been a while since I have seen it but, when I saw your photos, I thought of it.
Royce (8:54:38 PM): And the opening shots in West Side Story
Katie (8:54:53 PM): Wonderful! That is something I enjoy hearing from people. That my photography provides memories.
Katie (8:55:30 PM): I've seen West Side Story.
Katie (8:55:41 PM): I have one for you to check out, Shadows by John Cassavetes.
Royce (8:56:10 PM): When you shoot your street photos is there anything that you particularly keep your eye open for?
Katie (8:56:48 PM): Sometimes. Normally I do not. I like keeping a fresh, open mind to anything that may come around.
Royce (8:57:29 PM): I wanted to comment on the photo titled DKNY.
Royce (8:58:39 PM): It is amazing... It almost seems like you must have had everyone that set as an extra; and given the instruction, "DO NOT LOOK AT THE DKNY SIGN!!!"
Royce (8:58:47 PM): Because no one is looking at it,
Royce (8:58:57 PM): and there are a lot of people in that shot.
Royce (8:59:17 PM): But then, it is NYC and people have places to go.
Katie (8:59:22 PM): That's awesome, I honestly never thought of it that way.
Royce (8:59:28 PM): Cool, well I studied that one for a while.
Royce (8:59:53 PM): It is wonderful shot for that reason.

Royce (9:00:23 PM): The fact that the city is always moving has to play in to your photos.
Katie (9:00:54 PM): NYC is so in your face with marketing, I think that pretty much gives a good example. It's so saturated that locals do not pay direct attention.
Royce (9:01:02 PM): Do you take many photos from one spot, or do you wait for the perfect moment and take one?
Katie (9:01:33 PM): I'm click happy. You just never know what exactly you'll grab in your frame.
Royce (9:02:05 PM): Do you work alone? or do you have someone watch your back?
Katie (9:03:38 PM): I haven't yet gone out shooting with another photographer; it's something I really want to do. But I do a lot of my work with someone with me. Usually they're walking ahead then notice I've stopped to take some pictures.
Royce(9:03:51 PM): I had a friend that took photos similarly to your in Detroit and she had to start taking a big guy with her because she got ripped off a couple of times.
Katie (9:04:19 PM): Yicks. I always keep all my equipment close to me.
Royce (9:04:43 PM): Lets talk equipment real quick.
Royce (9:05:00 PM): You use a traditional 35mm Minolta,
Royce (9:05:23 PM): are there any other cameras that you use from time to time?
Royce (9:05:55 PM): I noticed at least one photo taken with a 110 camera.
Katie (9:06:43 PM): Just Minolta, three of them actually. Maxxum 400si, Maxxum 70 and the 110 pocket camera. Now, I have just obtained a Holga! And when my Polaroid is working I use that too.
Royce (9:07:16 PM): Very cool, have you started shooting with the Holga yet?
Katie (9:07:43 PM): Yes I have. Still waiting to finish my first roll.
Royce (9:07:59 PM): I will be interested to see how they turn out
Royce (9:08:13 PM): What about color and b&w?
Royce (9:08:29 PM): Do you use them according to your moods?
Katie (9:09:15 PM): I prefer black and white, because to me, it shows more through my eye. So straight forward.
Royce (9:09:28 PM): Do you convert color to b&w in the computer?
Katie (9:09:38 PM): Only a few times I have done that, and I do state when I do.
Royce (9:10:04 PM): You are very good about documenting what you use.
Royce (9:10:11 PM): That is a good thing, some of us think it is interesting anyway.
Katie (9:10:45 PM): I believe when you use anything with manual setting, take as many notes as possible. Down to even what filter you use if you use one.
Royce (9:11:29 PM): That is good to know for yourself too I would think.
Katie (9:12:03 PM): Of course, it's a great learning tool for yourself and for other photographers who would benefit.
Royce (9:12:15 PM): Most of your work is daylight... What do you think of nighttime photography?
Katie (9:12:21 PM): I love it. I want to do more.

Broadway Meets Union

Royce (9:14:11 PM): People are also an important part of your work.
Katie (9:14:45 PM): I think people are essential to photography; it's one way for viewers to relate.
Royce (9:14:52 PM): The one image that stands out in my mind is the old guy playing the flute out side the fence at the WTC site.
Katie (9:15:46 PM): Ah yes, I never knew that would be such a hit.
Royce (9:16:13 PM): yes I see that it has gotten quite a response
Royce (9:16:30 PM): Do you usually make contact with your subjects either before or after you take their picture?
Katie (9:16:56 PM): Sometimes, they notice me adjusting my position/camera. Sometimes, they see a little uneasy and when I see that. I tend to let them be.
Royce (9:17:26 PM): People are funny that way aren't they?
Katie (9:17:50 PM): Yes they are. It's like they can't believe you want to take a picture of them.
Royce (9:18:03 PM): Tell me a little about the photo Brooklyn Tops.
Katie (9:18:51 PM): Brooklyn Tops was during a 4th of July party and the scenery and skyline was just so beautiful to me.
Royce (9:19:12 PM): It truly captures the flavor of the city....
Royce (9:19:26 PM): you can feel the heat of the day and smell it all.
Katie (9:19:40 PM): Exactly a very warm, pleasant night it was.
Royce (9:19:42 PM): It is one of my favorites, BTW.
Katie (9:19:48 PM): Thank you very much
Royce (9:20:38 PM): Let me mention a couple more that have caught my eye every time I look through your photos.
Royce (9:20:41 PM): Soho
Royce (9:20:50 PM): Cobblestone Way
Katie (9:21:22 PM): Soho is such an extremely beautiful area of NYC. Cobblestone Way is so old Philadelphia. To add a note to Cobblestone, my mother ordered a print and had it professionally framed and sent to a family in Paris that hosted my brother for the fall semester and the framers enjoyed it so much, they hung it on their wall until my mother came and picked it up. I was very happy to hear that.


Whistle Me a Story

Brooklyn Tops



Soho

Cobblestone Way

Royce (9:21:27 PM): Grand Central, The Hall. It is amazing to have no people in the shot, when did you take it?
Katie (9:24:15 PM): Grand Central Way was taken late summer. I just happened to be there at the right time.

 

(This concluded the IM portion of the interview. The remaining bits were handled via good old fashion e-mail.)

Grand Central - The Hall

Sudden

How happy were you when you saw first saw how Sudden worked out?
I was very excited and happy. I was so very lucky to have capture the
bird landing in.


What place does randomness play in your work?
Caught by Surprise is a good example.


Is randomness a result of the environment you are shooting in?
It does have something to do with it. I like being random and seeing what you get.


Or is it a necessity?
It's when I get click happy and is a surprise in it's self to see what I get.


Or is it not randomness, but adaptability?
It's being comfortable in your surroundings.

Caught By Surprise

Catch A Cab

A Peek Through My Lens

A Peek Through My Lens is another photo that appears to be directed. I am curious to know what every one is looking at that is just out side the frame of the picture there on the right.
This is my newest favourite. It's what I love about NY. And it's basically what I see. A picture that really makes your mind tick is a good photo in my book.


When did you start taking photos?
About 10 years ago.

Out of all the elements that you employ to make your compositions, what one is the most important to you personally?
People.

Are there any photographers, past or present that you look up to?
Yes. Bernice Abbott, Diane Arbus, Willy Ronis, Garry Winogrand

Having grown up in Chicago myself, I know something about the rhythm of a city. How real is that for you? And how much of the time are you aware of it? Or is it something that when you get in that mode, it is just a part of you?
I’m always aware where I am at. The city, feels my heart with warmth (easier on those spring days). I feel to some level, the I’m apart of the city. A looker within sharing with the world.

Overlooking Harlem



Katie
by Jason Danischewski

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out more of Katie's Photography on her

DeviantArt Page

or

Katie's Web Site
KatieGail.com

 

 

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