Allison V. Smith by Mark Searcy

Allison V. Smith by Mark Searcy

If you are in and around the Dallas/Ft. Worth world of art and photography, you know her and you love her. This former Dallas Morning News staff photographer’s work is often seen in the New York Times, and has been featured in DWELL Magazine. Allison V. Smith’s latest work, “Marfa Light” is on exhibition at the Thunderbird Hotel in Marfa, TX. Here is a little insider scoop about her style and philosophy:

When did you become interested in photography?

When I was 9 years old my brother took a photo workshop with a photographer named Lilo Raymond. I vividly remember the entire class coming to our house with their tripods and cameras, photographing the beds and window frames etc.. At that moment I knew I wanted to be a professional photographer. When I was 15, my parents signed me up for a Young Photographers workshop at the Maine Photographic Workshop in Rockport, Maine. There was no looking back after that!

What do you mainly shoot with?

Hasselblad, Canon 5D, Lomo, Polaroid, Holga, Widelux, Olympus Half Frame, Iphone camera… it’ a problem.

What are your opinions on film versus digital processing?

I love them both for different reasons. I love the richness, purity and pure gold that comes from film and I love the immediacy of digital. My attitude is shoot it (film) while you got it..

If you had 48 hours to go on a photo excursion, for no other purpose than pleasure, where would you go and why?

I would get in the car, road trip style, and drive west. Back roads only. There are so many photographic treasures in our backyards!

Do you do very much post production? What photo editing tools do you use?

Not much at all. I first learned Photoshop during my internship at the Los Angeles Times summer of 1993. We were trained to only do to a photo what you can do in a darkroom. I focus on keeping the shadows dark and that’s about it.

Where do you find your inspiration?

All over. From friends, magazines, my photo book collection, music, my dogs, my neighbors, half priced books, nature, good food, road trips, sunsets. Life inspires me!

Samples of Allison V. Smith’s Work

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