Looking for some photographic inspiration? Look no further then the current members of the APC. Each month a different APC member will be featured and we will provide a glimpse into their photographic life.
This month, the featured photographer is our very own Membership Program Director, Angela McMullen.
Bio:
In the days before Microsoft, Apple, and the World Wide Web, I spent my summers in a rustic cottage in Muskoka. No telephone, no television, no vehicle to drive to the nearest town. In this quiet and unhurried setting, I learned to appreciate the beauty of nature and a good book. On rainy days I poured through stacks of old National Geographic magazines, fascinated by images of places and peoples I never imagined. These magazines were my introduction to visual storytelling. I had always been interested in art, sketching and doodling whenever I could, but National Geographic opened by eyes to the diversity of our world—its scenery, colours, and shapes as well as its triumphs and sorrows.
My own story is well-documented, as are the stories of the people around me. Camera in-hand or tucked away in my knapsack, my family and friends know me as the person pointing a lens their way. A nuisance at times? Yes. A joy whenever the photos are brought out?Always. And it’s this inclination (compulsion is a better word) to always have my camera at the ready, which propelled my photography forward. Returning from the cottage one summer’s day, my older son informed me that he had volunteered my services as the official photographer for my grandson’s hockey team. A challenging subject for many reasons, but one which has encouraged me to learn—through trial and much error—the art of visual storytelling.
Today, much of my time remains committed to photographing minor sports, particularly hockey and baseball; however, I always look for more than peak action. What is the story within the game, within the player? How can I best communicate these stories to the viewer? Finding the story in the subject is what keeps me motivated and excited whenever I pick up my camera.
- How would you describe your photographic style?
My photographic style is best described as photojournalistic. I love capturing that spontaneous moment—a moment which never occurs twice. This isn’t to say that I’m not interested in other photographic genres; landscapes and portraits, particularly in black and white, are also favourites. What remains constant in my pursuit of all these genres, is trying to draw the story out. - Which photographer is your biggest inspiration?
I can’t name a single photographer nor simply cite photographers alone as inspirations. However, here are some people whose work I enjoy and admire: Dave Black, Caravaggio, John Hedgecoe, Yousuf Karsh, Peter Read Miller, Rembrandt, J.M.W. Turner, and Vermeer. - How long have you been interested in photography?
Since my early Muskoka days. - What was your first camera?
A Kodak 110 Instamatic. I loved that “drop-in” film cassette. - What is your dream photo trip?
No single inspiration and no single dream. But if I could transport myself back in time, I’d like to be positioned on the USA’s goal line when Sidney Crosby scored the winning goal during the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.
You can view some of Angela’s work on our Meetup site.