Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elly Bernstein. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Elly, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
The most meaningful project to me has been my most recent and my most experimental. Several months ago, I discovered a Polaroid SX-70 AutoFocus from the 1970s. With this camera I was able to experiment with not only the subject but the physical form of the photograph. I peeled the Polaroids apart, soaked them in water, colorized them, and left them in the sun. I then found an Olympus point-and-shoot from the early 2010s, whose limited low-light capacity allowed me to manipulate the image by physically moving the camera during exposure, creating unusual light effects. My interest in these inaccuracies has led me to the rich area of Photoshop manipulation. These projects have allowed me to understand the importance of the pliability and physicality of photography, while allowing me to embrace errors in the process as happy accidents. With these projects, my focus has moved away from pure documentary photography, and represents significant artistic growth.
Elly, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Hi! I’m Elly. I’m a photographer and graphic designer, originally from Baltimore and now living in the San Francisco Bay Area. I had a passion for film photography and the dark room when I was in high school, and rediscovered 35mm and digital photography as a hobby about 5 years ago. As the hobby became all consuming and I started to experience some success in juried exhibitions, small events and on social media, I realized that my passion for photography could be a real career.
Apart from art and experimental photography, I also provide more standard services. My work fills the need for a “non-photographer” photographer. I would call my style “alternative” and I work best with clients who want a relaxed and non-traditional photography experience. I try to be warm, friendly and above all to integrate myself into the event, portrait session or photoshoot. My goal is to make people comfortable enough that the camera becomes invisible – relaxed people show their true selves. I’m most proud of the feedback I’ve received from clients about how safe they felt during my shoots, and of course when they like the results. I want potential clients to know that a photoshoot with me will always be enjoyable and more importantly, fun! The results will be candid, real, and intimate.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Building my Instagram audience is still a work in progress, and has required a lot of experimentation. I needed to find a way to connect with true fans of my work, not just accounts looking for follows. My goal was to create a network of followers including non-photographer sectors of Instagram. I focused first on my boyfriend’s band, The Hominoids (@thehominoids), started following their followers and noticed a rise in engagement. By following people who follow The Hominoids, as well as other bands and fans they had connected with, I was able to create a circle of interconnected accounts. On occasions when the Hominoids played with other bands and I photographed them, the connection between me and the band already existed. I’ve also found that interacting with my followers’ content in a genuine way has created true support in both directions.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist has been improving my skills over time. The first shoot I ever did was for a friend’s birthday party, so I can compare those photos to the ones I took exactly a year later at her next birthday party, and then at the next one; it’s been a very useful benchmark for my progress. My confidence has grown tremendously since I bought my first digital camera. There’s such a joy in having my instincts take over when I’m shooting and viewing photos – I “know” the best composition when I’m shooting, and I “know” when I’ve come across an interesting photo. It has been such a reward to have the confidence to finally post photos without caring about the reception – I think it’s interesting and that’s all that matters.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fourcubesphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fourcubes.photography/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elly-bernstein-aa0711248/
- Other: https://www.fourcubesdesign.com/
Image Credits
All images my own