Sue Blosser
Here is the second of the Meet Our Members posts. We’d like to introduce Sue Blosser, photographer extraordinaire. Sue is one of our quieter members, but she is very expressive with her photographic talent.
Sue continues to inspire us with her detailed view of the natural world. She is an amazing photographer who pushes the limits of “looking into” what we all take for granted. We hope you enjoy Sue’s interview and work.
Meet Sue Blosser:
How do you describe yourself as a photographer?
My philosophy as a photographer is to try and record slices of life that might otherwise be overlooked. I look for tiny details, interesting shapes or perhaps an angle of view that others don’t see.
Poppy by Sue Blosser
Is there any time of the day that you find you are the most creative?
Originally I was going to say not really. But after a few days of careful observation, I discovered that I have become creatively useless in the evenings. Since retiring, I now do practically all my best work in the daylight hours.
What is your favorite camera?
My very first camera was a Pentax SLR camera that tragically ended up in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of St. Malo in France. Ever since then I have used Nikon cameras. I started with an entry level Nikkormat film camera. Now I shoot mostly with a digital Nikon D7000. I like to shoot with a macro lens to expose shapes and details that are often overlooked. Occasionally I venture into cell phone photography, but I prefer the digital SLR.
What is your favorite subject matter?
You can look through practically all of my photos and not see a single person. I rarely take photos that have people in them. I prefer to shoot any other form of nature. Lately, I have been shooting a lot of flowers – mostly wildflowers. I’m fascinated with their myriad of shapes and their beauty that often goes unnoticed.
Fall Foliage Reflection by Sue Blosser
How did you find your “artist within”?
When I first started coming to M&M meetings I didn’t really consider myself an artist. I considered an artist to be someone who could take a blank canvas and turn it into a work of beauty and wonderment. I merely recorded things that were already here. Through this group I have come to realize that there are many forms of art. I’m in the process of finding my “artist within”. Every time someone says wow when they see one of my photographs I get a little bit closer to becoming an artist.
Do you have a favorite technique that you use a lot in your work?
Lately I have been shooting a lot of flowers using a light box and a 108mm macro lens. This set up lets me control the lighting and the background to emphasize the flowers unique shape or markings.
What can you promise your audience that will inspire them when they view your work? What message do you want to convey to the viewer through your work?
I’m going to answer these questions together. I hope that anybody who views my work comes away with a new appreciation of the wonders that that can be found everywhere in nature. Be it the small wildflower, fall leaves reflecting in water or a fungus growing on a tree – it’s all there waiting to be appreciated and savored by all.
Peruvian Lily by Sue Blosser
How did you get into photography?
I was introduced to photography 40 years ago while I was a biology student at Millersville State College (now Millersville University). I borrowed a grad student’s Yashica camera to use on a field trip to the Florida Keys. It only took 14 days plus a few rolls of Kodak Ectochrome film to start a lifelong fascination with photography. Unfortunately photography took a back burner while I raised my family. Then came 2006 and I purchased my first digital camera. All my self-imposed restrictions were gone and I could shoot all the photos I wanted. Joanne Finkle and Thom Kulp saw some of my photos and encouraged me to take Christine Goldbeck’s photography class at the Harrisburg Art Association. Christine opened the door for me by reinforcing the basics of photography and encouraged me to take my photography to the next level.
Do you have a common theme that runs through your work?
Most of my photos are of bits of nature that are commonly seen. I just try to photograph them in a way that makes you stop and take notice of them.
Lichen by Sue Blosser
What are your favorite things about your work?
My favorite thing about my work is when I go through the photos I took during the day and one of them elicits a “yes” out of me. It is the photo that totally captures what I was trying to show or the one that is unexpected but has come together in a marvelous way that makes it all worthwhile.
What are your goals for the future of your work?
My photos are a work in progress. Every day is an adventure with a new technique or a special subject to explore. My goal is to improve my photos both technically and artistically. I can’t wait to see where it takes me.
You can view more of Sue’s photography by clicking here. Sue is an active member of M & M Mixed Media Art Group and exhibits her work at group shows and exhibits.
The members of Mixed Media Art Group would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
Mixed Media Art Group 