Today I bring to you Ethan Coverstone!
My name is Ethan Coverstone, and I'm a photographer/Master of Architecture student from Indiana that currently lives in Los Angeles. My style of photography ranges from story-telling image sets and fashion-style photos to more abstract ideas about manipulation of light and ideas about identity.
2. How did you get into photography?
I think I was always excited about photography as a kid, but I didn't start taking photography seriously until I was already in college studying architecture. I used self-portraiture to deal with negative critique during reviews, and it helped me to escape some of the more taxing parts of school.
3. What inspires you as a photographer?
I'm inspired by so many things, but I draw upon my own relationships with other people frequently to create the stories you see in my photos. I also take a lot of my inspiration from music and writing. I will frequently write out a specific phrase and then try and capture that in a photo.
4. What is your favorite photo you've taken and why?
I think my favorite photo changes a lot more than it probably should. But, today, I think that my favorite photo I have ever taken would probably be this set of photos. They really were a turning point in my work, and I was so excited about the meaning behind them. I grew a lot during that summer, and I feel like this set accurately represents that phase of my life.
5. What do you want your viewers to take away from your work?
The biggest compliment I have ever received is when someone tells me that my photography inspires them to use photography as a tool for telling their own stories; I hope that viewers take away a sense of wonder and begin to create things for themselves.
I think I was always excited about photography as a kid, but I didn't start taking photography seriously until I was already in college studying architecture. I used self-portraiture to deal with negative critique during reviews, and it helped me to escape some of the more taxing parts of school.
I'm inspired by so many things, but I draw upon my own relationships with other people frequently to create the stories you see in my photos. I also take a lot of my inspiration from music and writing. I will frequently write out a specific phrase and then try and capture that in a photo.
4. What is your favorite photo you've taken and why?
I think my favorite photo changes a lot more than it probably should. But, today, I think that my favorite photo I have ever taken would probably be this set of photos. They really were a turning point in my work, and I was so excited about the meaning behind them. I grew a lot during that summer, and I feel like this set accurately represents that phase of my life.
The biggest compliment I have ever received is when someone tells me that my photography inspires them to use photography as a tool for telling their own stories; I hope that viewers take away a sense of wonder and begin to create things for themselves.
6. What gear do you use? What's your most used lens and why?
I shoot with a Nikon D600 and a Nikkor 50mm 1.8 primarily. I also recently purchased a Tamron 17-35mm that I love a lot. I want to get into shooting more landscapes and wide shots and incorporating a lot more empty space into my photos.
This is always the hardest questions! I would say Francesca Woodman has been one of my favorite photographers for some time. I love the quality of the images she created, and I love how she created so much movement and story within a single image.
8. Have you dealt with any negativity as a photographer, if so, how did you overcome it?
The only real negativity I have had to deal with as a photographer has been my own self-critical attitude. I'm frequently my own worst critic, but I have (luckily) found myself among an amazing group of artists that seem to always have my back when I'm being too hard on myself.
9. Do you have a favorite inspirational quote? If so, what is it and why is it your favorite?
One of my favorite quotes is something that I say frequently: "It is what it is." I think it definitely applies to shooting photos, because, frankly, sometimes you don't get that dream shot that you had hoped for. You can't fake a whole photo in photoshop, but sometimes that limitation gives you inspiration for something different. I think that can sometimes make for a much more interesting photo!
10. What would be the best advice you could give to someone reading this interview?
The only real negativity I have had to deal with as a photographer has been my own self-critical attitude. I'm frequently my own worst critic, but I have (luckily) found myself among an amazing group of artists that seem to always have my back when I'm being too hard on myself.
9. Do you have a favorite inspirational quote? If so, what is it and why is it your favorite?
One of my favorite quotes is something that I say frequently: "It is what it is." I think it definitely applies to shooting photos, because, frankly, sometimes you don't get that dream shot that you had hoped for. You can't fake a whole photo in photoshop, but sometimes that limitation gives you inspiration for something different. I think that can sometimes make for a much more interesting photo!
The best advice I could give to other photographers would be to just keep shooting. I am the worst at this, but I know that if I keep working, producing images, and being self-critical, I will continue to grow as an artist.
11. Any final words you'd like to say?
I guess my final words should be a big thank you for messaging me!! I really appreciate the opportunity, and I wish you the best of luck with the rest of your 30 days!!
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