Format No Auto - Featured Photographer

Ashley Tanasiychuk shares his unique take on photography and how he earned his artist moniker, Format No Auto. 



IN FIFTY WORDS OR LESS, TELL US WHO YOU ARE.
My name is Ashley Tanasiychuk. I'm a creator and an explorer. I draw, shoot photos, write, and make pixels do nice things. Art and music are everything to me; music is my inspiration, art is my expression.


WHAT LANDED YOU IN THE PATH OF PHOTOGRAPHY?
I first learned how to shoot, develop, and process film in fine art college in Edmonton, where I was studying everything from drawing to painting to sculpture and performance. I bought a used Minolta at a pawn shop and took it everywhere with me. I loved shooting photos. I loved being able to capture how I see the world so i can share it with others. As a visual artist, every moment of every day, my eyes are noticing colour, shape, texture... photography gives me the opportunity to freeze what I see and share it with others. 


WHAT CHARACTERISTICS OF EAST VAN DRAW YOUR ATTENTION?
Coming from Edmonton, which is largely devoid of distinct neighbourhoods, Vancouver has a wonderful array of neighbourhoods with unique residents. The first Vancouver neighbourhood I ever lived in was Mount Pleasant, and East Van has been home ever since. I have always been attracted to East Van's "hippie" vibe: the laid back attitude, the creativity of expression, the inclusive (spiritual, sexual, cultural) attitude of the residents - these are all amazing qualities of East Van.


WHAT GOES THROUGH YOUR HEAD WHEN YOU'RE CAPTURING AN IMAGE? 
Nothing. Honestly, one of the benefits of photography for me is that it is meditation. My mind is clear, my mind (subconsciously?) interprets what my eyes are seeing, and my hands make the necessary adjustments on the camera to capture what I am seeing. 


WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH CALLING YOURSELF FORMAT NO AUTO?
Format No Auto is my artist moniker. Format No Auto was created as a resistance to our tendency to go into "auto format" mode; not just the auto formatting options in computer applications, but in anything that is done in a preplanned, predictable manner. Format No Auto is about resisting the prepaved pathways in life. Refuse to fall into auto format mode. Forge your own path, without fear.