A Feel For Surreal Interview With Alluring Artista Alicia Crispell!
Q: What is the type of photography you do?
A: These processes are called alternative photography processes. Alternative processes are often called historical or non-silver processes. Most of these processes were invented over 100 years ago and were used by early photographers.
I learned how to apply these alternative processes to my work at Montana State University through my professor Christina Z. Anderson.
Q: How did you decide to do this style of photography over a more modern approach?
A: I completed several works by first coming up with a theme and then applying the process in which I thought would complement the subject matter best.
Q: Did you have any particular role models in the field of photography or major inspiration?
A: I had a mentor when I first developed an interest for photography; David Richardson was my high school photography teacher who helped nurture my talent in capturing the world around me in a different way.
Christina Z. Anderson was also an amazing inspiration and motivation in creating these pieces. Anderson always provided a hands on learning experience with critical attention to detail so I could come as close as possible to exceptional results.
Q: Do you work with any other mediums?
A: Digital is the main medium I use as you can easily create digital negatives from a digital file to then in turn create these alternative processes. I do however have an abundance of experience with different types of films including but not limited to 4×5, 35mm and 120 films.
Q: What has been the hardest part about pursuing this art form?
A: Creating the perfect curve in Photoshop to print the perfect negative is the hardest part in these processes. The curve is what creates the depth and gives the negative highlights, shadows and all the tones in-between.
Q: Where would you like to take your skills of art as far as the future is concerned?
A: I would like to incorporate these processes into my portrait photography business to create one of kind pieces of art for my clients.
Q: Your picture with the bicycle is very surreal for me. It is both warm like a past memory, but at the same time out of place. How did the bicycle get into those rocks I ask myself. What’s the story behind the piece in particular?
A: This image was taken during my study abroad in Europe. The photograph was taken off of a bridge in Italy. It’s almost as if someone threw it off the bridge into the rocks. I am not certain of the true story.
Q: Do you have any funny stories that have come from trying to set up the perfect picture or from the development phase?
A: My husband was helping me with my senior thesis project which was photographing women wrapped in tool in old broken down barns. This project was to emulate the Metamorphosis of a Butterfly. I wanted to be one of the models in my own project, so my husband (boyfriend at the time) and I found an old barn on private property. We went to the door of the nearest by house to ask permission to use the barn. No one answered the door so I went with some advice that a professor of mine gave me: “ask for forgiveness not permission.” We proceeded to make our way to the barn and start the shoot. I was naked wrapped in tool, twirling around, flapping my arms like a butterfly while my husband was clicking the shutter when we heard something/someone coming our way rapidly. I quickly got dressed and we walked out of the barn to find a man with a shot gun in hand. Maybe this isn’t funny but it was afterward. We explained to the man what we were doing and he kindly obliged while gripping his double barrel weapon! YIKES!
Q: Any solid tips for anyone wishing to create a more abstract photo?
A: When I have an idea, even if it doesn’t seem like a solid one, I write it down in a notebook. I will look back at these notes at a later date and combine these different ideas to make one complete idea for a project.
Q: Thank you so much for your time, it has been a lovely adventure. Before you go, would you let us ponder you one more question. What is the funniest thing a tree has ever told to another tree?
A: Don’t leaf me…
Check Out Alicia’s Professional page at:
http://www.aliciacrispellphotography.com
And she also has some work published in
The Experimental Workbook (A Manual of Analog Black & White Darkroom Practice) written by Christina Z. Anderson.
thank you again Alicia!
Feel For Surreal 
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