The following is part of a series of interviews launched for Abstract and Surreal photography week in Project Educate 2008.

=toledophotographer is an artist who thinks outside the box and is constantly trying to challenge himself, and the payoff shows in his art.

Basics and Background

Name and location?
My Name is Larry Orsborn and I am from Toledo, OH.

How long have you been practicing photography?
I have always been pretty good with the camera. I painted for some period of time so I already had an eye for composition. I started taking photography seriously about four years ago when I got my first digital SLR.

Do you have any formal training in the arts?
I took a few beginner art classes in college. Mostly, I learned how to use my cameras from books. I went to the library and checked out about 15 photography books and read them all.

What cameras are your personal must-haves on a shoot?
I can shoot with just about any camera. I currently use a Canon DSLR and a variety of lenses. I use a digital camera because the screen makes light painting much easier and eliminates any guessing as to how my pictures are turning out.

How did you come to embrace the genres you prefer to work in?
As most of you know, I shoot all sorts of pictures. I photograph landscapes, cityscapes, buildings, portraits, and strange compositions. Mostly however, I shoot surreal compositions. I can’t say I prefer to shoot surreal compositions as a genre, it just sort of works out that way. I am inspired by visions and dreams. My mind itself is very surreal. I can see things in a Salvador Dali painting that most people will never see. Reality is the same way for me. I see things that others do not. What is surreal to you is not necessarily surreal to me. To capture these things is a challenge. I never turn down a good challenge.

Surrealism

Do you have a favorite Surrealist? If so, who and why?
I do not have a favorite surrealist. There are several whose work I enjoy, mostly here on deviantART. I do not draw inspiration from other surrealists, I draw inspiration from the spirit and the energy that makes up all things.

What does Surrealism mean to you in photography?
Surrealism in photography, to me, is an escape from the confines of well placed light in its natural setting. It is a way of expressing my ideas and dreams. Surrealism allows me to express things that can not be expressed any other way. It also allows me to create things that would normally only be seen by the mind but not the eye. It sort of allows me to bring my visions to light.

Do you find influence from other mediums, like Surrealist painting?
I enjoy surreal paintings and surreal music very much. As I mentioned before, I am influenced by things outside of sight and sound.

What kind of in-camera manipulations do you perform to achieve Surreal effects and impact?
I never like to manipulate my pictures. I do have to edit colors and sometimes remove digital noise and whatnot. On occasion I will fix a blemish or edit out things that I decided did not suite the picture. Other than that I am a purist and like to keep my images as true as possible. The surreal effects I achieve are mostly done using long exposure techniques.

What suggestions would you give other photographers about harnessing light to create a desired mood in their imagery?
Light is everything when it comes to any photography. I suggest using light sparingly and be sure it is well placed.

Words of wisdom

What advice do you have for beginning photographers?
Do what you feel and let nothing stand in your way. No matter what, keep at it.
Expression is a very powerful tool. Use it wisely and often!

What advice would you give to professional photographers in a rut?
Never give up. Believe in yourself and nothing can stop you from being and doing whatever you want!

What advice would you, at present, give yourself 5 years ago if you could reach back in time?
Don’t get discouraged. I used to often find myself not knowing where I want to go as an artist. Now I am older and wiser, I know that the universe is made of brilliance and beauty. I will never run out of ways to express myself.

What do you hope people find in your art? Or, what do you hope they definitely don't find in it?
I hope people find feeling in my art. I hope they see it and experience an emotion or a thought. There is no element in my art that I don’t want people to see. If there was I would obviously not post it on the internet.

Ego

Who is your favorite deviantART photographer and why?
I cannot name just ONE or even just one hundred of my favorite photographers. There are so many amazing and talented photographers here on deviantART. If you want to see my favorite deviantART photographers, simply look at my “Favs” and check out my Friends. They are all amazing!

What is your favorite image of your own, so far? Why?
That is like asking someone who their favorite child is. I just can’t choose one favorite. If I had to choose though, I guess my favorite would be “Fiber Optic Figure” because that picture was a real turning point for me as an artist. That picture brought me to terms with the fact that I have no artistic limits. I can create and compose anything! I realized that I could turn dreams into imagery.


What is your preferred subject (people, objects, places, etc) and why do you like to shoot that subject, whatever the style?
My preferred subject is different depending on what I am trying to achieve. Right now I have been working with people in an attempt to express astral projection. This, like all other things I do, is a phase. I have some new stuff I am working on for this summer that is completely different from what I am doing currently.

Favorite ice cream flavor?
My favorite ice cream flavor is expression. How is that for surreal?

If you could be any other person, who would it be and why?
I would rather be no-one else then myself. I love my family and friends (that means you deviantART community). I love my art. I could not be more happy with who I am. I think one of the most important elements of art, and of life, is being yourself.

Anything else you'd like to say?
I would like to thank my friends and the entire deviantART community for the love and support they have given me over the years. I would also like to thank ^opioid for interviewing me. I hope my fellow deviants found this interview interesting. Thanks for reading about me. Peace



#Abstractography is the dAmn headquarters for Abstract and Surreal week. Be sure to drop by this week to meet the artists interviewed in this series, myself, and many other abstract and surreal photographers here on deviantART!