INTERVIEW #50: MATTHEW TAMMARO

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Matthew Tammaro, b. 1987 from Toronto, Canada

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First of all, the most standard question in the book: how did you get into photography?

I was always involved in art so photography was just a natural thing to try. I was definitely drawn into it but decided to focus on drawing and painting in university. After hating it, I enrolled in another school and did my BFA in photography. 

 

 

 

Tell us a little about where you live. How does your town/city/country affect your photography?

I live in Toronto, Canada. It's a good city in the sense that it's very multi-cultural and liberal and cosmopolitan and all that, but it lacks something. I don't know exactly what it is, maybe momentum, or maybe I've squeezed out all the inspiration that I can from it. So it's time to move. 

The countryside outside of Toronto definitely feels much more inspirational. 

 

 

 

 

What did you have for breakfast this morning?

An egg salad sandwich from Tim Hortons.  

 

 

 

 

Did you study, or are you studying, photography? If not, how did you learn?

I went to Ryerson University for photography.

 

What are five things you can’t live without?

A few important people, traveling in some way or another, swimming in the outdoors, good food, and the countryside. 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you believe that with the rise of digital photography the phrase “everyone can be a photographer” is true?

Sure, why not?

 

 

 

 

 

Describe your average day.

Wake up early, try to be productive, three square meals and if it's a good day: read, spend some more time in bed, drive somewhere, photograph, wine or whiskey, time in the sun, have a good conversation. 

 

 

 

 

 

What was the last movie you saw in the theatre?

Melancholia 

 

 

 

 

 

If every photograph should contain one key element, what would it be in your opinion?

Honesty and truth

 

 

 

 

If you could go anywhere in the world to take photographs where would you go?

Anywhere around water

 

 

 

 

 

What is your fondest childhood memory?

Driving around America with my mom when I was 8.

Who, or what, is your biggest influence?

I don't know if I have one specific influence.  It's more like I will go back to some images or songs or places a lot.  But really the influences change often.  Right now I've been looking at a lot of Juergen Teller and Matisse, and really loved The Farmer's Daughter by Harrison.

 

 

 

 

What are your other hobbies besides photography?

I love cooking and traveling.  I'm also almost fluent in French and am working at getting there.

 

 

 

 

 

Do you think that the Internet is a legitimate place to showcase your work?

Ya definitely.  I mean it's so great because your audience is much more broad and the internet as a platform is probably more creative.  Actually, I think that the internet is probably the most legitimate place to showcase work.  The only things are the lack of tangibility, size, and maybe a physical proximity of community.  But it's not like you can touch a print in a gallery anyway, and there are a lot of easily accessible zines if the physical print is your sort of thing.  So the internet just doesn't give you size and seeing real people.  

Do you always have preconceived concepts of what you want to shoot?

Sometimes I do.  I don't know if those are my best images though.  To preconceive something is definitely a different mode of shooting for me.  I think what I like to pre-visualize is the setting and mood and colours of a photograph.

 

 

 

 

What are your plans for the winter?

I have two series that I'm working on, amongst some fashion and portrait editorials.  And I'm planning on moving by the Spring time--so saving for that. 

 

 

 

 

What advice would you give to your fellow up-and-coming photographers?

Might sound cliché, but go with your instinct and just do it a lot.  And make sure it is rewarding in some way or another.

 

 

 

 

 

Our last interviewee, Marina Richter, wants to know: Do you feel supported by your non-artist friends and family?

I have a few dearest friends, and none of them are involved in the arts.  They are supportive of me, but I think the idea of art is unfortunately intimidating to a lot of people, and so they aren't too actively involved with my art.

 

 

 

 

 

Last but not least, what would you like to ask the next interviewee?

What fuels your ideas, photographs, and decisions?

 

 

 

 

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Thanks for sharing with us, Matthew!

 

To see more of Matthew's work:

http://www.matthewtammaro.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthewtammaro

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