Meet Leslie Summers

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Summers.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
My love for photography was something I got from my father at a young age. I still remember going with him to the local SC drug store to drop off his film then going back a few weeks later to pick up the prints. I thought it was some kind of magic. My mom would then put them all into photo albums that we all, to this day, still have fun looking through. I’m very lucky to say that I have a well-documented childhood. This is something that my son will be able to say as well. I don’t think it was coincidence that my first job during college was at a local grocery store photo lab. Working in a lab-made a path for me not only as a career but for my own photography as well.

When digital photography started to replace film I couldn’t really connect to it. It seemed so stark compared to the vibrancy of film. I didn’t make the conversion and just hoped that one day I’d have more film than digital in my lab again. It took some time though and required a 3000-mile move but it did eventually happen.

Los Angeles wasn’t part of my original plan for my life but I see now that it was vital. I was happy to discover The Darkroom, a custom photo lab based in the valley. I’ve worked there for over 12 years now. It absolutely thrills me to see all of the younger photographers picking up a film camera for the first time or a more experienced photographer returning to film. I am so grateful that I can work in a field that I love and continue to grow personally as a film photographer as well.

Please tell us about your art.
My film photography is very personal to me. I don’t feel that photographing anything should be a struggle or forced into existence. So I photograph the people or things that I love. My process is usually texting a friend “Hey I have a new box of film and an idea so when is good for you?” I’ve shot weddings, concerts and other events but could never put my heart into it. I just prefer photographing friends, family and things that I find interesting using different techniques and a variety of cameras. I have a collection of cameras and lenses that I love to shoot with. Some are even toy cameras or instant cameras. My two favorites are my Mamiya C33 and my Canon Elan7.

Even though the camera is important that’s only half of the task. I am always trying to find interesting ways to make every shot unique. For any artist, it’s one of the top achievements to bring forth something completely original. I constantly strive to do so whether it be in composition or just the feeling it evokes to me and hopefully to the viewer.

As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
After a photoshoot I’ll take the film out of the camera, seal the paper and just hope I have captured one good shot. The wait is the hardest part because film photography isn’t instant. Even when I finally get the roll into some chemistry the wait isn’t over, it still has to dry before I can see my results. The wait is worth it even if the results are not what I had hoped for. No roll of film is ever a waste because I am constantly learning. It’s learning from the mistakes that lead to the biggest successes. And there is no greater feeling of success than finally scanning my film and seeing the one good shot.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lightandsilver.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @lightandsilvr

Image Credit:
Leslie Summers

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