Pro Photographer Profile - Mathew Scholl

J Dogg — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 14:38:30 -0500

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Mathew Scholl is a red head but I've actually never heard him raise his voice. Mostly he's just smiling and laughing while telling you one of his many random facts. I think that I can stump him though... Interview by Leif Zapf-Gilje
What's the average wing span of an African swallow tail?
I didn't know there was an "African swallow tail".

Yeah, I don't know either. I just made that up. OK I'll be more serious. Let's go through some Mathew Scholl factoids....

Born? Nelson BC 1972 (when and where)The last good book you read? Under The Banner Of Heaven by, Jon Krakauer
A favorite random fact? A liger is the offspring of a male lion and a female tiger. They can grow up to 1200 lbs. To fact check this, watch the movie Napoleon Dynamite.

All right enough of those...
Why are you pulling out the skis more than the snowboard these days?
I really Enjoy being challenged. I felt like I had to do really scary shit on a snowboard to be challenged. Learning to ski has allowed me to step back and take it easy. It has made Shredding a mellow powder slope, exciting again. I do not think one tool is better then the other though. I can have a great day on either one.
Does it make you feel different to be part American and living in Canada, or has Harper changed that?
Being a dual citizen is helpful. It means I do not have to lie at the boarder when I go to the States on photo assignments. I think Harper has made all Canadians feel like we are almost Americans.

Currently residing? Nelson BC

Top three reason for living there? Friends, Community, The life Style

First camera? Pentax K1000

First published photo? Cover of a small Canadian cycling magazine called Pedal

Favorite thing about photography? I love how it slows everything down. Everyone is in such a rush these days. To take photographs I have to slow down and look at the fine details. A ski run that might normally last 30 seconds, may last several hours if I'm shooting.

Do you think that you'll ever feel old?
I hope so. i like the idea of getting old. I hope to live a long and happy life. It will be a lot of fun to be 90 and sit on the porch listening to CBC. I wont be one of those people getting plastic surgery so that I look younger.

Why do you live in Nelson?
The people, the good times

Why do you take photos?
I do not know.......It just happened that way.

The digital question?
I do not see digital as a photograph. A photograph has a hard copy. Digital is simply an image. Just the same as painting in Adobe Illustrator is not the same as using brushes and a canvases. The Mona Lisa could never have been created on a computer. Ansel Adams' photographs will always be better then any digital image.
If you could somehow instantaneously transform your skill and knowledge of photography into skill and knowledge of something else...?
Yes, I would like to spell words like, instantaneously, without having to spell check them 4 times.

What are you dreaming about when you talk in your sleep?
Mostly, my past lives and weird shit like that.

How much velvia 50 did you buy when you found out they were replacing it with a 100 speed film?
I bought 150 rolls. For me, it is about a year supply. For some guys that is a week supply of film.

One piece of advice for up-and-coming photographers?
Take a B+W course.Learn to take a real photograph. Forget about the whole digital scene for a while.

The dumbest thing you ever did with a camera?
I had my camera fall out of my pack and break on some stairs. I taped the thing back together and used it for a couple more years. Duct tape is great shit.

Thank yous/ shout outs/ mission statements...?
I just want to thank you, Leif. Your the best...

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Pro Photographer Profile - Mathew Scholl