christine duncan

{CHRISTINE DUNCAN ANSWERS OUR QUESTIONS}

What medium(s) do you work in?
I am a Fine Art Photographer. My work mainly centers around nature, landscapes, and I also love to focus on the surrounding Hamilton, Ontario architecture. I am currently hired by the City of Hamilton to document our public parks and gardens photographically through the seasons as well. You can find me at www.c-duncans-photography.com and on flickr.

What question do you wish would be asked in an interview and how would you answer it? "How important are mentors in your chosen art?" Firstly, mentors are very different from influences, so I'd say they are much more important to me as a photographer. I once read a quote that said, "A mentor changes how you see yourself as an artist, an influence is something that changes how you see your art". I had two teachers very early on in my pursuit of photography that changed how I photographed or "saw" my subjects. One was a photographer himself who pushed me to be bold and get the exact shots I wanted regardless of where I was, and to stay in the darkroom till I had the exposure I needed... and the other was an art teacher who took my concept of art & design, and turned them on their heads. Because of them both, art no longer fits in a tidy box for me, and I hope it's reflected in alot of what I do.

Why art and why in Hamilton?
Photography for me is "instant" art. I would paint all the various things I see that make me stop in my tracks... but I've discovered I'm not THAT good with a brush! Instead, I have an instant to capture things I may never see the same way again and I love that challenge. And Hamilton because it's really what I know best, and am inspired the most by everyday. Don't get me wrong, I've travelled, but locations that are new require you to reveal all the "layers" to be found within a very short amount of time. Here at home, I'm so familiar with the way the light looks throughout the city, the history conveyed, the designs to be found, the nature to discover. Geez, I sound like an ad... but I love Hamilton.
(HaMA would like to stop and comment here that when the artist says she is not good with a brush HaMA disagrees)

Who or what inspires you?
Not to be cliche, but other photographers... pro's and amatures alike. I'm a huge fan of Freeman Patterson's work AND his dedication to nature conservancy... his images remind me to play and dream, not to take every subject so seriously that I can't see the wonder and whimsy within nature. On the other extreme, I was very much affected by the work of a fellow photographer recently, who photographs just about anything from the confines of her home right now while she recovers from an intense illness. Things the rest of us might think are mundane, she makes into delightful close ups and scenes. I guess I'm mostly affected by others who know how to see past the typical, and can display for us the magical... no matter where they are.

Any wisdom to share about living as a photographer?
Connecting first and foremost with all the different people in your community is vital. Every new connection you make leads to new opportunity. Talk and talk and talk some more about what you do, pursue and love as an artist or photographer. And that's not just good business sense, as you gain more exposure, but you begin to expand as a photographer, you find new valuable mentors, and you learn things about your city and environment that help you make better images with substance and truth. That to me is the most important. Because along the way, you discover who YOU are too.

Christine Duncan was born and raised in Hamilton Ontario, Canada, and began photography and art almost 16 years ago, but put it on hold while she focused on raising her two beautiful kids, and supporting her wonderful husband. Four years ago she gave digital photography a try and fell in love with it! During that time she also continued painting in oils, something she continues to express herself through today as well. Her favorite styles are landscape, floral, and architectural.
Some of the more noteworthy highlights in Christine's career have recently included: the cover photo for the inspirational book "Come Rest With Me" by Bryan Coupland available on amazon.com; a photo selected for the Schmap.com guide called "An Ideal Farm"; a celebrated first place win in BetterPhoto.com's prestigious monthly contest open worldwide for the photo titled "Dynamic Dundurn View", a second place win for the image "The Opposites" and numerous finalist images for the same contest over the past years. She is also currently the parks photographer for the City of Hamilton.

christine duncan
published with permission of the artist.