artist resident – Nicholas Korkos – opens up about his photography.
” I don’t hold back. My one goal is to communicate truth, the subject’s and my own.”
Working on exposing the side less seen, Nick Korkos’ inspiration lies within everyday occurrences and details … the moon, streetlights, dancers gliding across the stage, a woman walking with her dog … even a man staring into the lens.
Trying to dig deeper than just surface value, Nick communicates that what they all have in common is that there is more to them than is being shown.
As a member of the Dickerman Prints Artist-in-Residence program, Nick developed his Dance in Motion series, which explores the intimate and abstract world of dance studios across North America.
Be sure to stop by the gallery before October 28 to see Nick’s work in person.
DICKERman Prints Gallery: CAN YOU TELL US ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE STORIES FROM YOUR LIFE AS A PHOTOGRAPHER?
NICK KORKOS: “One night at the Esalen Institute, I went outside to photograph the incredible moon. I increased the shutter speed on the camera, and as I went to take the photo, the camera slipped out of my hand.
The slip created a blur, and from that accident a whole series was born. Another side of my brain opened up and I thought, “This is my golden ticket!” Although that may have been a bit of a stretch, to a certain extent it was true; I started to see how a camera can be manipulated and how interesting it is to created the unrecognizable.”
From Moon Series
dpg: WAS PHOTOGRAPHY SOMETHING YOU WERE ALWAYS INTERESTED IN?
NK: “Always! As a kid I would buy disposable cameras like they were packs of gum. There’s something about documenting moments, recording the look on someone’s face or the colors in the sky, and then to always be able to look back and remember, that feels really powerful. ”
From Aszure Barton & Artists
DPG: Out of your three categories on your website (lifestyle, performance, and abstract) which would you say is your favorite, if you have one?
NK: “I don’t think I have one. Performance is thrilling and keeps you on your feet because it’s collaborative and about showcasing every aspect – the characters/performers, costume, lighting, and set design and the intention of the piece. I love the pressure.
My abstract photos are the most freeing and personal, but portraiture is perhaps what sparks me most. There isn’t anything more truthful than someone’s face. Words are able to be twisted but the physical is hard to misinterpret.”
From Portraits
DPG: Can you speak a little bit about your photographic relationship with your subjects? We’re interested in learning more about how photographers use different methods or techniques to get the images they want.
NK: “I try not to ask people to change. Someone’s eyes or lips or jaw can tell us everything we ever needed to know. This of course ties in to keep your subject comfortable and light, even if it’s a heavier time.
I find it helpful to talk subjects through their feelings. Not asking someone to change for a photograph is the same as not asking someone to change for any other reason. It’s a hard concept to grasp but once you do, trusts abounds. ”
From Portraits