Inside the Photo #30

Talking with Grant Robison

Hey everyone! It's the first Tuesday of the new month and this means only one thing: it's time for a new Inside the Photo! I want to thank you all for supporting this publication. It's great to come back each week and share something new for you.

This month I'm very happy to share an image from a dear friend, a wonderful human and an exceptional photographer. He's Grant and here is a little more about him.

Let’s see, what can I tell you about myself?

A personality test I once took reported: “Your left and right brain are in enmity with each other, but it serves you well.” The jury is still out on that test’s finding… At least on the “serving me well” part. LOL.

Regardless, I believe the ongoing left/right struggle for dominance in my brain has a significant impact on what I shoot and how I edit. Well, that’s what the left side said 😉.

I’m a Southern California fine art photographer, shooting Sea & City with a side of Fine Art Portraiture for about 6 years now. I recently dove into a photography spin-off with the purchase of a Canon large-format printer, and I am now working with some amazing photographers, developing their fine art prints for sale and display in homes, galleries, and other public spaces.

I’m just beginning to “shop” my photography, landing a few in a new photography gallery opening mid-October. I am excited to see what comes of it all.

The invitation to be featured here is both humbling and heartwarming, and I’m grateful to our friend, Matteo, for this opportunity.

I've been lucky enough to meet Grant on a social platform (they can actually be good, if used properly) and during the beautiful times of Pictas. I'm so happy we are still in touch and we can find some time for funny and interesting chats. There's always something to learn from talented creatives. And he is one.

© Grant Robison

I had a tough time selecting a frame to present; I might be a flavor-of-the-moment kinda guy regarding my work 😉

I chose this Manhattan Bridge shot because NY is special to me and because the road to getting this photo was paved with all the elements of photography that I love most.

Getting up early before the sun and venturing out on my own to a place I haven’t been before.

Becoming hyper-aware of the surroundings while looking for shapes, light, content, abstracts, anything that feels like a frame.

I particularly love the feeling you get when you put your eye to the viewfinder, frame up a shot, and know right then and there that you’ve got a good one. I remember that feeling well with this shot.

In a world where we continually look at the past and plan for the future, living in the moment is a commodity. Being by yourself, on an unfamiliar and nearly deserted bridge, early in the morning, with a backpack full of camera gear, with that big-city-skyline looming, you pretty much live in my favorite place, the present.

Then, post… Far from a purest, my edits tend to be a bit heavy-handed. I often use the line “I exaggerate to clarify,” and this edit is certainly no exception. Remembering this shot, the prison-like vibe of this fence-lined steel bridge, clad in paint over graffiti over paint, with the Manhattan skyline in the background, all lit by the warm, early morning light… It felt super gritty and vibrant at the same time. So, I leaned into that memory with the intention of printing on a fine art matte paper for an artistic vibe with some urban snap.

I love this image. The feeling of quietness it gives me. In my head, NY means chaos, crowd, rush. And this image is the exact opposite. This is only one of Grant's amazing pictures, but you can find many more on his socials. You only need to follow the links below.

Instagram
Instagram (portraits)
Website

Thanks a lot for being with us and sharing this image, Grant!

Take care and talk soon!