My name is Adrian Sandiford I live in West Haven , Connecticut . I started photography back in 2017 after my kidney transplant while I was recovering. I had an old Nikon entry level consumer camera . I had set out to take pictures of graffiti but Connecticut was cleaning up, so very limited opportunity for graffiti sites. A friend invited me to a photography meet where there were models and photographers from all walks of life. There is where I got my first taste of portraits and the rest is history.
When was my first picture taken?
To be honest my first picture that I had taken was not as a photographer, I was in the Navy and wanted to capture as much as I could because I knew I would never be in a position to capture these images again. And I was using a Canon 35mm rebel camera. At the time most of my images were just about capturing my experience, traveling abroad while serving in the US Navy.
How do you put the person, place, or thing in front of the camera onto film, chip, or paper the way you want it to?
For my subject I try to look at them from as many angles as I can keeping in mind my purpose and background, Lighting and all of the other things that you consider as a photographer. I love to print my images on canvas, Metal, and Acrylic. I believe those make for impactful and beautiful images.
What photographers have influenced you, and how have they influenced the way you approach your subject?
There is no one photographer in general that influences me but I do love those photographers who have impactful images the ones that stop you in your tracks and have just have you steering and admiring that image from the lighting to the posing , the model like, all aspects of the photo seems to click with everything that gets you excited as a photographer. Chris Knight, and Adrian McDonald (aka) lexonart on Instagram. Chris Knight’s conceptual approach to shooting is something that I love. To create a concept using a moodboard that details everything from color to placement , time of day like all of those things are taken in to create stunning images. Lexonart images are just breathtaking. The way he takes his time to craft these beautiful images is something that I really appreciate and try to add to my style of shooting.
What exactly do you want to say with your photos, and how do you make your photos do that?
What I try to say with my images is that anyone can look their best self and I believe it’s up to me to do that. I love it when someone says I can’t believe that’s me. That statement brings me more joy that most people would believe. I want when someone sees any of my images be it a landscape or portrait I want them to be stopped in their tracks and admire an image that they have in some way connected to. I think that as creative as a photographer that’s all you can hope for. Someone saw an image of yours and connected with it. That’s special.
What photographic gears do you use to stay focused on what you do best when shooting?
I use my light meter in the camera and I have an external light meter as well for off camera flash. Lighting is very important to me as it creates a mood and a certain feel for the image so I would say that is the tool I use to stay focused.
Any technology/software/hardware?
I use a Sony A7R3 as my main camera. I have just three prime lenses all from Sigma. 85mm 1.4, & 24mm 1.4 I have an iMac 2017 with photoshop and Lightroom as my main software for photography. For my backup I use three G Drives Thunderbolt hard drives in addition to off site backup for all of my photoshoots.
What motivates you to continue taking pictures? Is it political, intellectual or emotional?
What motivates me to keep taking pictures is the ability to create meaningful images using light and the way that I see it. For me it would be emotional simply because you have to have a connection between you, the camera and the model or subject. Then to capture an image that so many people can connect with is special and more than anything that is what keeps me going. Being able to connect with people is an important thing and to do it through photography is a very special thing for me.
