Janis Brass - Featured Photographer
Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 10:12PM 
An avid photographer since childhood, Janis Brass gives us some insight on her creative path and artistic aspirations.
IN FIFTY WORDS OR LESS, TELL US WHO YOU ARE.
I'm a woman who has always loved photography and meeting people. I started taking photos when I was about seven or eight years old and have continued throughout my life, however, I've never made my living from my camera.
IF YOU COULD SHOOT IN ANY LOCATION IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD IT BE?
India! I will get there one day; I love the colour, the people, the history, the culture, and can't wait to be snapping pictures! I find people endlessly fascinating, and I'm a curious person, so I love places where people live life in public and are not adverse to meeting strangers. I enjoy taking photos at public events such as the Vaisakhi parade and savour the spoken or silent communication between myself and a subject.
DO YOU HAVE A SOUNDTRACK THAT INSPIRES YOU WHILE YOUR SHOOTING OR EDITING IMAGES?
As much as music means to me, it doesn't play much of a role for me with photography. When I'm shooting on the street I like to engage people and have found headphones get in the way. Something slow and dreamy is good for editing, lately it's been the Cowboy Junkies.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TIME OF DAY TO SHOOT?
Oh, it's the golden hour with it's wonderful light and deep shadows. There is so much drama in such light, it reminds me of operatic lighting. It makes almost anything or place look more beautiful. I would like to shoot in dawn, but I'm not a morning person so that's out unless it's the middle of December!
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE?
Capturing unrehearsed moments. I like to wander the streets with my camera and capture scenes that appeal to me right then. I've found that when returning to re-shoot something I don't get the same feeling for the image. I like to strike up conversations with strangers and then ask them to pose for me, and by using the word pose, I mean that they are present and engaging with me and the camera. I do take some photos of people when they aren't aware of me doing so, but I prefer the person to be fully engaged in the process. I document my family and day to day life. My mom lives with me and I like to photograph her because what is personal to me is important enough to document. She is entertained when we meet someone who looks at my Flickr site and they tell her that they recognize her from the computer. I'm not very good at planning ahead and setting up a technical photo shoot. I like everything to be spontaneous.
Reader Comments (1)
Yay Cowboy Junkies! Great stuff & they're still making amazing music - been listening to their most recent albums (Renmin Park & Demons) a lot lately.
"Capturing unrehearsed moments" - I love this description of what you do!
Keep up the great work Janis!