Welcome back for another installment of the “30 Questions With Photographer…” series. For this project, I ask photographers to answer 30 questions about themselves and their photography. I also ask them to share some of their work. The goal of this project is to spread the word on photographers who have impacted my photographic journey; photographers I think you need to know about.
The next photographer I’m featuring has been on many of the film photography social media hot spots lately, and for good reason. I first learned of this next photographer when she was a guest on the Negatives Positives Film Photography Podcast. Her energetic personality made me an instant fan. Upon seeing her work on Instagram and YouTube, I knew she’d be a photographer I’d look to for inspiration. Her honest and intimate approach to her craft is as admirable as the results she produces. She truly is a talented photographer.
I’ve never met this photographer person, but I hope to someday. If (when) the world has conquered Covid-19 and it’s safe to travel, I’d love to cross the border into Canada and go on a photowalk with her. I’m sure my photography would improve because of it.
The next photographer I want to introduce you to is Jess Hobbs.
Self-portrait: Taken on a K1000 and the new Ektachrome, not sure what developer was used because it was done by the lab.
Q: What is your name and where do you live?
A: Jess Hobbs. I live in Quebec, Canada, a.k.a. The Land of Maple Syrup and Poutine (just don’t mix the two together!).
Q: How can people contact you?
A: I’m on Instagram as @jesshobbsphoto. I can also be found on YouTube at youtube.com/jesshobbs.
Q: If we’ve met, how do we know each other?
A: We haven’t met in person, but anyone who builds a tent on the top of their Jeep is someone I want to know!
Q: What is your earliest memory of taking a photography?
A: My parents gave me my first camera for my 9th birthday (a little Vivitar point-and-shoot), and the very first picture I took on it was of “The Addams Family” playing on tv… not my best work, I must say!
Q: Of the cameras you currently own, what is your favorite (you may choose one of each format if applicable?
A: Ooof, this is a toughie. Probably my Mamiya RB67 (her name is Roberta), but I also love my Yashica-Mat 124g… and my Canon F-1… and my Olympus OM-1… oh, and I can’t forget my SX-70 Model 1! And my Olympus 35RC! See, this one’s too hard!
Mamiya RB67: This is the only shot I have of my RB67, but it’s definitely my favourite camera, especially now that I have the Rezivot back for Polaroids! I used it as a promotional shot for an Emulsive article, I hope it’s still okay for this interview! Taken on a Sony a7iii.
Q: Is there a camera you’ve always lusted after and hope to acquire someday? What makes you desire this camera?
A: There are a few cameras that I would like to own, a Leica M3 double-stroke probably tops that list. A Rolleiflex 2.8C would be a wonderful addition as well, but I’d really like to get into large format, so I think my next purchase will most likely be an Intrepid 4x5.
Q: Is there a camera you no longer have that you miss?
A: No, but that’s because I keep every camera I buy.
Q: What type of photographs do you most enjoy taking (portraits, landscapes, street, etc) and why?
A: I’m mostly a woodland/landscape/nature photographer, although I’ve recently discovered a love for rural and small-town scenes. I’m a big believer in trying to preserve what we have while we can for the future generations to enjoy, and to photograph the scenes I love before they are inevitably destroyed, as a record of what once was. And every now and then I can be found at festival or two!
Silos at sunset: Yashica-Mat 124g, Lomochrome Purple, lab developed. These are the neighbor’s silos that I just can’t seem to get enough of!
Q: While most of us shoot both digital and film, I believe we all have a tendency to prefer one over the other. What do you prefer and why?
A: Film all the way. Everything about it is so magical to me, from creating images, to developing the film, to watching prints come to life in the darkroom. I just don’t have that same connection with digital cameras. For me, shooting digital is strictly just to get in there and get the job done, whereas I feel more creative when I shoot film and the images are extensions of who I am.
Q: How often/much do you shoot photographs (rolls per week, month, etc)?
A: Lately, not as much as I would like to, although my motivation is starting to pick up again! When I’m not in a slump, I can easily run through a few rolls a week. I recently picked up a Rezivot conversion kit to shoot Polaroids on my RB67, and I am already blown away with the results I am getting, so I’ll be running through a bunch of boxes in the near future!
Q: Do you prefer to photograph with other people, or would you rather shoot alone? Please explain.
A: It really depends on my mood/project. Usually I’ll only shoot with one other person at a time (mostly with my awesome other half Jody!), but I have had projects in the past when I have preferred to shoot alone. I’m someone who is easily distracted, so sometimes it’s good to force myself to concentrate and work on my own.
Q: What is your favorite black and white film right now and why?
A: Ilford HP5+, it is such a beautiful and versatile film. But winter is coming up, so it’ll soon be a toss-up between Ilford Ortho Plus and Ferrania P30 (especially if the latter comes out in 120), both work exceptionally well in our snowy Canadian winters.
Foggy morning: Yashica-Mat 124g, Ilford HP5+, dev’d in HC-110 Dil. H. I’m rarely ready with film loaded when a thick fog rolls in, but that morning I was prepared. I just love fog, and want to keep photographing it.
Q: What is your favorite color film right now and why?
A: Probably Kodak Ektar 100 in 120, the colours are pleasantly punchy and it has such low grain. My absolute favourite was Agfa Vista 400, until it was discontinued, I could do just about anything with that film!
Three maples: Yashica-Mat 124g, Kodak Ektar 100, lab developed. I just love photographing trees!
Q: Complete the following sentence: “I am a photographer because…”. What do YOU get from photography?
A: I feel connected to the world around me in a way that I don’t when I’m not holding a camera, and I love being able to share the way I see the world with others. I’ve never felt such a strong sense of community as I do with the worldwide film community, photography has really given me the opportunity to come out of my shell and meet people to share my work with in ways that wouldn’t be available to me without it.
Q: Best experience while taking photographs?
A: Not directly related to taking photos, but being interviewed three times in one year on our local news stations was really fun! I was working on a year-long project where I photographed at as many festivals as I could in the city of Montreal (grand total = 225!), and my story got picked up by the networks. One of those times I was actually at an indie music festival, so there I was with flowers in my hair on the news… I was so nervous, but it was a great experience, and I think it’s part of what led me to start up my YouTube channel!
Q: Most emotional experience while taking photographs?
A: One night I was shooting at an underground outdoor punk festival, and there was literally one lonely tungsten light bulb at the edge of the stage to light up the whole place, it was so dark except right by the stage. I grabbed the best spot and decided to photograph the people in the pit. One guy saw me and he got right into position, holding a wine bottle in his left hand and he gave such an expression of raw emotion that it ended up being the best shot of the night. Right after, he gave me a huge smile and a thumbs up, which I reciprocated. I was pretty pumped after that!
Fattal Fest: Canon F-1, Agfa Vista 400 pushed to 1600, again lab developed. I chose this one because it’s the shot that I described as my most emotional moment.
Q: Worst experience while taking photographs.
A: Getting yelled at by a stranger in the streets was a tough one to shake off. To this day, I’m still not completely comfortable shooting in the streets. Interestingly, both my worst and most emotional moments happened on the same day, literally just hours from each other.
Q: Tell me about something related to photography you want to learn.
A: I really want to learn how to properly light a scene. I don’t do any studio work, but I’d like to be able to if I ever need/want to. And I would like to learn how to do wet plate collodion and cyanotype prints. Oh, and emulsion lifts from Polaroids!
Q: Tell me about something NOT related to photography you want to learn.
A: I’m a very curious person, and my interests tend to jump around a lot. At the moment, I’d like to learn how to cross-stitch and play ukulele, but I also love collecting rocks, so I’d like to learn more about geology. And I love to cook, so I’d like to start tackling more complicated recipes.
Q: What does your family/loved ones think/feel about your photography?
A: My family are very supportive of me, even if they don’t always understand what makes me tick. Jody is both my biggest fan and my biggest critic, which is great because not only does he enable me to run amok, but he also helps bring me down to earth every once in a while! Honestly, I owe a lot of my work to Jody being there for me, even if he won’t give himself the credit, because I don’t know if I would be brave enough to put myself out there without his encouragement… it’s a very scary world out there, especially reading through Reddit comment sections!
Pinhole Self-portrait: Unnamed pinhole made out of walnut by some guy in London, Ontario (!), Ilford HP5+, dev’d in HC-110 Dil. H. This was one of my favourite shots from my very first ever pinhole roll.
Q: What is the last photography related book you’ve acquired?
A: I just found a copy of Ansel Adams’ “Examples – 40 Photographs” at a thrift shop, so I was pretty thrilled about that!
Q: Name one of your favorite accounts on Instagram and explain what draws you to this photographer.
A: I find so much of my inspiration on Instagram, there is some really fantastic photography out there! It’s really hard for me to pick only one favourite, but I love Roxanna Angles’ page @roxannalog. Her Lomochrome Purple and Polaroid work is just wonderful, I could get lost in those dreamy California landscapes all day!
Q: Have you ever sold or have thought about selling any of your photographs? Would you do it again? Any advice for others thinking of selling their photographs?
A: I have sold some photographs, mostly for album covers… there’s something so special about seeing your work on the cover of a record or cd! My only successful print sale was a fundraiser I did to help Timothy Ditzler (from the Analog Talk podcast) pay for unexpected medical expenses, and I am so grateful to everyone who purchased a print for a worthy cause. I would definitely sell my work again, but it’s something that takes patience and perseverance. It’s very scary to put yourself out there, especially at the beginning, and if your first sale isn’t a complete success, don’t give up on yourself! Do take the time to shoot with purpose, to create work that means something to you. Don’t get caught up in what’s trending, what gets more likes and thumbs-ups, those things fade with time. But if you put your heart 100% into your work, people will connect with that, and then you never know what will happen in the future!
Silo #5 - Old Port, Montreal: Canon F-1, Ferrania P30 Alpha, dev’d in X-Tol 1+1 dilution. This is a historic site in the Old Port, and one that might not last… there are developers interested in turning this into condos and a shopping centre. This is my favourite place to shoot in Montreal.
Q: Are there any photography related projects you’re working on that you’d like to tell us about?
A: I’m not working on anything specific at the moment, except for filming videos for my YouTube channel, but I am hoping to pull together a zine over the winter. I also have an embarrassing amount of backlog to deal with, so soon I’ll be busy with developing, scanning, and organizing negatives!
Q: Are there any non-photographic related projects you’re working on that you’d like to tell us about?
A: At the moment I’m still rushing to get the last of our harvests in on the farm before winter sets in, so that’s pretty much taking up whatever time I’m not spending filming. Jody and I always have new ideas and projects going on related to the farm, but that’s technically considered our “9-5” so I’m not sure that counts. Let’s just say I’m really looking forward to seeing snow falling so that I can concentrate on other things!
Q: Where is your favorite location to shoot (specific place or type of place)?
A: On our farm of 200 acres, about 150 acres is forest, and that is my favourite place to shoot. I do love to travel around, but whenever I’m sad, or have something to work out in my head, or I’m just craving a walk in the woods, that’s where I go, regardless of the season.
Old sugar maple: Mamiya RB67, Ilford Delta 100, dev’d in HC-110 Dil. B. This is one of my favourite trees on the farm, I always seek it out every time I walk in the woods.
Q: Is there a specific object you’ve found yourself photographing over and over again? If so, why?
A: Trees. I have a few favourites scattered around the farm, so I visit them often. I’m also obsessed with our neighbour’s silos, especially at sunset. I’m a big fan of returning to my scenes, I like to keep working them until I’m completely satisfied.
Q: Favorite thing about the photographic community?
A: I love how encouraging and inclusive it can be, especially through some of the awesome Facebook groups. Anytime I have had a question, or even just wanted to share some work, I’ve gotten lots of great feedback and support.
Q: What do you think the photographic community is missing?
A: From a local perspective, I sometimes find the community isn’t always cohesive… depending on where you live, it can sometimes feel very clique-y, like you need to know the right people to fit in. I’ve found the online community is much more open-minded and inclusive, even if I run in to a few “armchair experts” every now and then!
Star trails: Mamiya RB67 with Rezivot back, Polaroid Color 600. This shot was a bit of a big deal for me, I am still amazed that I can now shoot star trails on Polaroid film!
Q: Biggest photography related pet peeve?
A: Honestly, my biggest pet peeve is the constant running debate between film and digital photography. I mean, it’s 2020, are we really not past this yet?! To me, a great photograph is a great photograph regardless of what camera it was taken on, or what process was used. Of course I’m a huge advocate of film photography, I will continue to shoot film until I can’t anymore, but I’m not going to crap on someone else’s work just because they used a digital camera (or even their phone).
Q: What do you hope your photographic legacy will be?
A: This question really has me stumped; I’ve never put much thought into the concept. I always strive to create images that bring me joy, that bring me back to that moment every time I look at them, and I try to inject as much enthusiasm as I can into my work. I do my best to answer anyone’s questions, especially if they’re a newbie, even if the question has already been asked ten times. I hope that I inspire people to get out there and do what they love, but I think that overall I would love to be remembered as a caring, empathetic, and friendly soul more than to be remembered for my photographs. I really do try to embody the hashtag “shoot film be nice” because it is so much more fun to be nice than it is to be an asshole!
Q: Who is the one person (living or dead) that you’d like to photograph and why? Describe the type of portrait you’d shoot, and the message you’d want this portrait to communicate about this person.
A: I don’t really shoot portraits, I don’t have a knack for making people feel comfortable in front of a lens, but I have been trying to make more of an effort to photograph my family and friends. If I could though, I would absolutely love to have an afternoon with either Ansel Adams or Mary Ellen Mark… it would be fantastic to just sit and chat and pick at their brains for a day, maybe even get a few tips on how to take portraits of people!
Hunter’s cabin: Mamiya RB67, Ilford Ortho Plus, dev’d in X-Tol 1+1 dilution. This little shack is just down the road from my farm, and I’ve always loved that it has a big beautiful tree right beside it, such a picturesque country scene.
As you can see from the photos Jess has shared, she’s a very talented photographer. I’m very excited to see the photos and videos Jess shares in the future.
If you weren’t familiar with Jess’s work before reading this blog post, I hope you’ll visit her on Instagram and YouTube to see her other works. You can see her work at on Instagram at @jesshobbsphoto or on her YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/jesshobbs.