Dave Parker - Photographer

Birch Leaf on Mossy Log

Dave Parker

David Parker
Stillwater, MN
Email: daveaparker@yahoo.com
www.davidaparker.com
MNartist.org profile
Facebook page

Tell me about your work? What are you currently working on? How is this different from past projects?

I have been using photographic equipment for over 20 years. I made the move to a digital SLR about 5 years ago, but still shoot film. I sold off all of my film equipment to fund my first DSLR, and have slowly been buying the film equipment I wished I could have owned when I originally shot film.

I like to shoot historic places like buildings and bridges. This doesn't mean I don't like a good sunrise or sunset either; there is just so much amazing stuff to photograph around the state.

I am currently working on just getting out and shooting again. The snowy, cold winter has made it tough to actually get out and photograph anything. I have been shooting locations across Martin County, which is located on the Iowa border in Minnesota. There are some great scenes in rural Minnesota that you won't find around the Twin Cities. I am also working on possibly going out to Yellowstone National Park, or Arches National Park to photograph; those are two trips that still haven't worked themselves out yet, but are locations I definitely need to go shoot. And Montana - another place to shoot, especially around Billings.

Foggy Lift Bridge

"What is Art?" is certainly too big of a question to ask here, but what do you hope your audience takes away from your art? What statement do you hope to make?
Everyone will give you a different answer. For me, art is an image, a photograph, a painting, whatever it is, that appeals to you. My opinion of art may not match up with someone elses' opinion; that's what is great about art. It is all in the eye of the viewer.

What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
Shoot, shoot, and shoot more. Every time you go somewhere, the scene is different, and will never be the same as you see it at the moment you are there. Capture it while you can.

Tell me about your work space and your creative process?
My work space can be anywhere. I capture nature scenes, sunrises, sunsets, bridges, buildings. Whatever appeals to me. Many times I have to visit the location several times, as when I get back home and review the photos, I realize there were different angles or places I could have shot the scene from.


Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?

Chad Truss (http://trussphotography.com/)
JP Aubineau (http://aubineaustudios.com/)
Mandy Dwyer (http://glimpsesofsoul.com/)
Paul Robertson (http://www.ptrob.com/)

If I were to follow you around to see art in Minnesota, which places would we go? What would we see?
Pretty much anywhere. There are some amazingly talented artists all over the state; Duluth, Rochester, Mankato. All you need to do is find the local coffee shop, or even a hospital, and you can find local artists who display their work at the places.

Sunrise on White Bear Lake

Where do you go online for good art resources, whether to find a new artist, or to see what is going on in the art world locally and otherwise?

MNartists.org
Camera Talk: (http://www.cameratalk.org/forum/)
TCPG: (http://www.meetup.com/tcphotogroup/)

Do you have any exhibits to promote in the near future (2011)?
I currently have 28 photos at the Hudson Hospital for part of the Healing Arts Program. They will come down mid-Apri 2011l. I also have 10 photos on display at Kowalskis' Market in Stillwater. I will be installing at St. Johns Hospital in Maplewood for the month of June, and in September, I will be showing my work at the 8400 Building in Bloomington.

Willow River Falls