Darkrooms Uncovered - Donn Dobkin
A peek into a photographer's mental creative darkroom
What does your creative ritual look like? Do you have specific habits or conditions that spark your creativity?
The biggest habit is the “10 Ideas” habit. Each day I try to think of 10 things to do, or improve, or make. The concept was introduced to me by James Altucher’s _Skip the Line_ book. The idea is just to build creative muscles, not necessarily to create 10 perfect ideas or solve problems. But whenever there is a new challenge in front of me, I try to come up with 10 or more ways to shoot the next subject, or 10 shots that would help fill out my book, etc.
When you're feeling creatively blocked, what's your go-to method for breaking through?
That routine helps enormously for that. I also like to look at artwork and photography from other people for ideas. Perhaps I'll riff off something that another great artist did, or else it will spark a completely different idea.
Describe a moment when your creative perspective shifted dramatically. What triggered it?
I feel that things have evolved rather than shifting in a huge, seismic event. A couple of bigger shifts have occurred though. I decided I wanted to be great at making portraits, and that led me down all kinds of paths. And then lately I decided I wanted to make a book that's a commercial success. Both of these led me to learn all kinds of new things, creatively and otherwise.
What recurring themes or elements do you find yourself naturally drawn to capture?
If it's a subject, human or other animal, I love to feel an intimate connection. While I have pieces that others love, or that I love, which don't fit that description, I'm continually drawn to connections. And then powerful graphic lines (including curves) is another. Again, not all my work shows that, but I'm absolutely drawn to strong graphical elements.
What non-photographic influences (books, music, films, etc.) most impact your work?
Hmm. All those things! Books that paint a picture with words do that, as one example. I'm making a book about the wildlife in my neighborhood. And I'm writing about how it feels, what I notice, etc. A friend, in response, connected me to the Pulitzer-winning book _Pilgrim at Tinker Creek_ by Annie Dillard. It's a revelation (so far). Tapping into emotions leads me to make better things, and different things. Says a "typical guy" who has spent many years staying surface-level with emotions!
What photograph of yours feels most personally revealing, and why?
Geez. Choosing any image for the title of "most this" or "least that" always feels impossible. Last time we talked I went with wildlife, so I'll return to people. This image of Blanca couldn't be much simpler. She was not comfortable being photographed, but I promised her I would only ask for a couple of minutes, and she played along. I did a different shot first which was sort of playful to help her relax. Eventually I got what I feel is revealing, sort of "essential Blanca". When she's out of her shell or when a person needs support, she's incredibly compassionate, kind, and caring.
Find out more about Donn Dobkin
Website: https://www.dobkinphoto.com
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