Please introduce yourself
Hi, I’m Chip Forelli
How did you get interested in photography?
While in college a friend of mine took photography. I visited him at the darkroom and was entranced. The marriage of art and science works for me (that’s why have a degree in architecture), and photography combined them in just the right way. I decided to take photography as an elective and that class ended up being the only one I arrived at early and left late – that told me something.

Do you have an artistic/photographic background?
No artists in my near family history. I drew locomotives and dinosaurs as a kid, studied architecture in college and married an incredible fine artist who works in oils and pastels.

Which artist/photographer inspired your art?
Faye Godwin, Ansel Adams, Michael Kenna, John Blakemore.
How much preparation do you put into taking a photograph? Are you planning every step or is it always spontaneous?
When I photograph for myself it’s 10% planning and the rest serendipity. When I photograph for clients, it’s 90% planning and the rest serendipity.

What fascinates you in places that you shoot?
There are no particular places. What fascinates me is how subjects surprise me – it can happen anywhere. I do like night work and windy days.

Could you please tell us something about your technique and creating process?
My darkroom is now Photoshop which I love. I shoot film with a Hasselblad 500 C and 4 lenses, 40mm, 60mm, 100mm and 180mm. I print on Hahnemuhle PhotoRag 308 and Hahnemuhle PhotoRag Baryta, and for brighter whites, Epson Exhibition Fine Art and Epson Hot Press Bright.
Could you tell our readers how to reach such excellent results in photography?
Find out how photographers whose work and prints you admire do it – take workshops from them, read about their technique/mindset. No need to test all sorts of variables – they’ve done the field testing for you. Keep it simple, shoot what pushes your emotional button and practice.

What do you do in your life besides photography?
I play upright and electric bass in 2 bands, enjoy wood carving and make pancakes with my kids.
What future plans do you have? What projects would you like to accomplish?
My plans is to continue doing what I do now – shooting for myself when I can (that’s not often enough), doing assignment photography, teaching, doing photographic restoration and printing, playing music and enjoying my family. Although I’ve traveled to many places, I want to photograph Ireland.

Chip Forelli Official Website:
www.chipforelli.com