We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Myles Redden a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Myles thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
Learning photography opened my eyes to the vast number of limitless possibilities the art can offer. Before I attended college, I was self-taught in the field, only taking pictures of nature and landscapes. Once I started college, I didn’t just know how to take better photos, but I found my style and passion for it. Going from learning how to keep my subjects properly exposed to shooting in the studio with different types of lighting was an eye-opener for me. The types of skills that I acquired are akin to laying out the blueprints for a concept and then bringing that concept to life. Learning how to do photography made me see the world differently; I now look at my surroundings and begin pre-visualizing how that would look on a print or a post for social media. Learning photography fueled my curiosity to create and expand my portfolio, pushing my creative integrity to its limits and creating photos that I could only imagine.
Myles, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Hello, I’m Myles Redden, a photographer who creates photos for clients, from prints of my nature to portraits to black and white images. I first got into photography after receiving my first camera for Christmas when I was 14, a small point-and-click Nikon. For a while, I would film little videos and skits while also doing photography mixed in with it. Towards the end of high school, my interest shifted towards photography. I was making and selling prints of my work, getting recognized in newspapers for my work, and overall feeling more satisfaction. Whenever a problem arises with my clients, such as being unable to attend a session or wanting an adjustment done to the finished project, I would work with them on how we can make it benefit both of us. What sets me apart from others is that when I receive any criticism, whether good or bad, I can take it on board to improve my craft and create a timeless photo or series. Criticism is a part of the learning experience, and if one cannot be open to it, one will be stuck in a loop of creative burnout. I am most proud of how far I have come these past nine years. Whenever I look back on images I took on that old Nikon and the most recent project on my Canon, I see a sense of growth. Never in my life would I see myself planning out projects, whether personal or for clients, and having the opportunity to present the things I’ve created. To my potential clients, you can expect someone who is dedicated, outgoing, and spontaneous during photo sessions and who wants to capture you in your most natural state because beauty exists in everyone and everything. I can show that to you through my work.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist for me is pre-visualization. I say this because whenever I scout for a potential location, my mind begins to conjure up a multitude of ideas. These are random ideas such as, “This would look so amazing as a toned black and white image,” and “I could have a model sit or lay on this field of grass in moody colors.” Once those thoughts begin cycling through my head, I mark down that location and the concept I came up with after looking at it. It is such a rewarding feeling. Being able to see the finished project makes working on it more exciting. When shooting, I start visualizing other ways I could position myself or the model to create something more compelling, making the project greater and greater. Once the project is complete, it is better than what I first imagined, and that is the most rewarding aspect of being creative; the concept continues to grow as I work on it.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
One lesson I had to unlearn was sticking to the same style is just fine. This applies not only to photography but also to life as a whole. Going through the same routine every day made me feel empty inside. When I was still in college, I would do the same things: School, work, homework, rinse and repeat. Socializing was a rare activity for me, and doing anything else felt like it would interfere with my repetitive schedule. My work at that time was also similar, just landscapes, nature, and wildlife, which I enjoyed, but I quickly started losing interest in taking pictures of subjects that all bled into the same picture. I realized that I needed to drop these insecurities and try to expand myself as a person first to start taking images I am happy with. Throughout college, I would apply the advice I obtained from my professors and peers to create the pictures I have done. Had I kept a closed-minded attitude, I would be struggling to find something to photograph.
Contact Info:
- Website: reddshots.com
- Instagram: theemclife
Image Credits
Hannah L Azura N Kirsten B