Welcome to the second edition of the "Community Wants to Know" series of interviews. The questions were gathered in forum threads and polls where I asked you what would you like to know and who would you like to get to know better.

This will be continued for an indefinite period of time - it will depend solely on you, the community, because this is for you, from you!

Your community, Your Choice, always!

Interviewed Artistic Nude deviant #2:

`scottjamesprebble's work is very well recognized at deviantART.com. Ever since I began to take my interest for Artistic Nudes to a deeper level that the browsing of his gallery gained a hot-spot in my daily needs. When we see works like "bad girls do bad things", "I can reach the top", "the day the rain came", "the daily news", "60 second gratification", "I can hear the ocean" and "be careful with your promises" we can just faint in awe - for the way scott makes his nudes, escaping from what we ordinarily see in museums yet achieving the same level of ART quality (enough to gain him presence in the very same museums, if you ask me); for how witty his works are, with double-meanings and references to everyday life and culture of the masses and last but not least, for how ironic he makes them in its inherent beauty!

Of course, scott's work aren't just Artistic Nudes, he also has excellent pieces of general photography and even uses other mediums to convey his inspirational deeds... yes, because to see a work from scott is like being blessed - and apart from that he isn't like some other brilliant photographer's whose fame has grown up into their egos! Not at all, scott has remained humble and enthusiastic and it is my pleasure to present and recommend him and his work!

The Interview Unveiled

`scottjamesprebble, do you remember art being a big part of your childhood?

I do have a terrible memory, so only certain events in my life get locked away, that’s one of the reasons I took up photography in the first place, to capture things so I wouldn’t lose them forever, but I do remember always loving art. When the other kids would be off playing sport I would be busy taking photos, or drawing, and helping my dad create hand crafted furniture, or my mum with her pottery. It’s always been a part of my life, and is now an obsession.


Who was your inspiration as you played with your finger paints?

I think as you grow up, you create because you want too, or need too, not because you are inspired by others to do better or whatever. It’s not until later when you are trying to perfect your style that you start to notice others works and to be inspired by them. I have always tried to keep a step back from the art world as such so I can create almost in a bubble so I don’t copy anyone’s ideas, it’s become harder and harder to block it out these days but the principle is still the same.


Were you supported by others to create?

I think everyone who is pursuing art as an adult had someone in there past that encouraged them, without that spur on few of us would go on to create anything, because art is more than just the skill to do it, it’s having the courage to reach inside and express it for the world to see.


What medium did you use as a child?

I was lucky enough to move into a new primary school in grade 3 that was fully equipped with a photographic darkroom, so I had the opportunity to get involved in creating images early in my life, but I was also involved in painting, sculpture writing.


What is Art to you?

It’s a simple question to ask, but will require in a different answer from each person. The simple answer for me is Art is everything to me, it’s the first thing I do in the morning (Besides kiss my lover of course) and it’s the last thing I do at night (Beside kiss…oh, you get the idea…… ). It’s what keeps me alive and keeps my mind active. Art is everything to me.






What are your aspirations regarding your art?

Everyone has an idea of where they want to go with there art, I’m a simple guy and just appreciate when people like what I create, if that takes me places then all the better for it. I love meeting and working with new people, so as long as that continues throughout my life I will be a happy man. I also want to have a major exhibition of my work, because it’s been a while since I’ve had any up on a wall and I miss that kind of exposure. I also have plans for a book on my work with Instant Polaroid film and I also want to do a book based around faded celebrities.


What is your favorite medium?

At the moment I can’t get past photography, I do sometimes take a break and hit the brushes with painting or the plaster with sculpture, but I always come back to my cameras.


If you could, you would?

Have world domination….. That’s not asking too much is it?


*giggles from the interviewer* How did you find dA?

I found it through someone I was having a chat to about my art about 4 years ago, I joined up and haven’t look back.


Did you use other outlets for your art?

I have images up on places like MySpace and Red Bubble, but dA seems to be the main outlet for the internet side of my art.


Why dA?

To me, it’s a user friendly site that has a great community feel, I have met some amazing artists on here that keep bringing me back.


What would you like to see here at dA?

*Sits on Santa’s Lap*

I think it’s a pretty good site in terms of running. I do think they are a tad short sighted in terms of marketability; I would like to see a collection of published books available to the public with the best images of dA sharing the profits to the artists. Also having an awards thing each year would be good, something to look forward too, like the academy awards for dA, you know the best images of the year in each category with prizes that are worth while. It’s simple things like that that would increase the fun factor and spur people on to create more images.


What is your favorite part of dA?

The community spirit and the people that inspire me and comment on my work everyday.


Do you tell offline friends about dA?

Nahhhhhhhh…why would I do that! Just kidding, I have bought many people to dA for the first time to get involved and show there art for the first time.


If you could tell the world about dA what would you say?

You get what you put into it…Simple as that.


Who are your favourite Artists?

Spencer Tunick + Herve Lewis + Helmut Newton + Gregory Crewdson + Michael Helms





How do you choose your models? What is your criteria? Why would you turn someone down, for example? and Where do you find them?

Models for me are a very particular thing. I know when we all start out we use friends and family, and then usually move onto professional model for the ease of it. I kinda went back to the using friends thing, basically because I didn’t want my images to look the same as other people. Being that I live in Australia, and especially in country Victoria, professional models are rare, and where there are some they have been seen and used by everyone, so I made a conscious effort many years ago to photograph real women for my work. It is a lot harder in terms of finding models, but the results far outweigh the effort put in. I think it gives my work something different, because you are usually seeing people that have not worked as models before, so the bodies, attitudes and poses are all generally new, and you just never know what you are going to get. I love the unknown nature to it, it’s what draws me in again and again. Of course it does have its pitfalls. Real people, with real jobs, often have real problems and insecurities with there body shapes, so overcoming those ingrained problems can sometimes be a tricky thing. But as a whole I see most people walk away from working with me a better and more confident person in terms of there shape and outlook, it’s that that I value the most about my work. I very rarely turn someone away if they have a genuine interest in the artform, because I do believe I can work with most people as long as they have the right attitude and can get into the role of model for a day.


What inspired you to pursue this particular genre (Artistic Nude) in the first place?

Fine art nude came to me as a bit of flash really. I had been concentrating on shooting images of the old buildings around my area, but always thought they were missing something. Then one day I was out shooting with a friend, asked her if she wanted to be part of the scene, she dropped her clothes and it all just fit into place, the contrast was what I needed, a new focal point, you know. It opened my eyes up, and I have never looked back.


What is the biggest challenge you've had to face as a nude photographer?

Everything you do as a fine art nude photographer is a challenge. Aside from the plain difficult technical side of photography, you have problems with finding new and interesting locations all the time. Even within that there is difficulties, because you need the right place that will be visually stunning, but out of the way enough so as to not attract attention, you need the right time of day for lighting purposes, you need the right model for the place, doing the right thing, the right film, then you need the creative mind to bring all those elements together to create something not only beautiful, but meaningful too, so it’s not just another nude on a rock, a nice shape in a landscape, you need a story, and emotion, of where this person is where they are, and open questions in the viewers mind, it’s complicated, believe me.


What is your favorite lighting setup? Why?

I certainly prefer natural light where I can, it’s something I have always used and will continue to use, but of late I have been experimenting with using simple flash heads to highlight certain parts of an image to give it more impact. It’s a natural progression for me to learn more about what can make my art better.






What do you answer to those intolerant people complaining about your art being only pornography? What would you tell them to open their eyes?

You know, some people won’t ever change there mind about fine art nudes, and that’s okay because we are all entitled to our own opinion. I create art for myself, if someone else likes it, that just a bonus. When people that don’t get it, or think it’s pornographic it’s upsetting but like water off a ducks back I move on and do it for the people that can see past the T&A.


What do you do to make a model feel comfortable being nude in front of the camera? Do you ever have music playing to get the mood right? Could you share some ways to relax when behind the camera or giving directions to a model?

Sedatives help….lol…..Joking…. There are few things I can say to change someone’s mind that has been engrained in there for a lifetime. What I try and do is to make everything as comfortable and as safe as possible, both in my persona and in the environment. I have this theory that everyone would pose naked for someone, because in the back of our minds we all want to be seen in that way, and captured as a beautiful creature for prosperity, it’s just finding the right person to do it. I try and create the right elements to allow it to happen. It works most of the time…….

Directions from me vary, sometimes I’m very active with ideas for what I want, other times I let the model move around and we work ideas as we go, it depends on my mood, the models mood and the situation, you know.







Could you share your 10 best tips with the community?

1. Know your tools back to front, if you can’t capture a scene you have set up your dean in the water before you start.

2. Be creative. Open up a part of your mind that was previously not open. Think outside the square. Draw on past pain or fun or situations to create something new and original.

3. Allow the person in front of the camera to open there mind too, two minds are always better than one, don’t they say.

4. Light. Lighting is everything within an image. Concentrate on where it falls and what shadows it creates. Highlight things of interest, think dramatically.

5. Go backwards. Try putting your digital camera down for a moment and buy some film, it still has it’s place in the hand of today’s photographer. Anyone who can get a good shot using film has my instant respect.

6. Locations. Go out a look. Open your eyes up when you are traveling somewhere, locations are everywhere you just need to look. A true artist sees things others walk past everyday and can use it in there art.

7. Don’t be afraid to get stupid, some of the most stupid situations I have been in in my life have lead to some of the best images of my life. Draw from your own experiences to create.

8. Wear pants.

9. Know your limits. Photography, and I mean good photography, to me, is all about the eye, if you don’t have it, you won’t ever have it. I only know a handful of people with the true eye for photography, so work out if you have it. Ask a friend.

10. Take your camera with you everywhere you go. If you feel naked without a camera, you are on the right track. And never close your eyes for potential models. So open up your eyes, and always be ready, that’s the best tip anyone can get. Seriously.



Thank you very much for your time, good humor, kindness and for sharing your art with us!


. You can read more about Scott in a quick interview made by =andanar interviewing scott


~

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